Description

Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the Houttuynia cordata plant, a member of the Saururaceae family. This plant is known for its traditional therapeutic properties and is used in Asian medicine for its beneficial effects on the skin. The extract is highly valued in cosmetic products for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It is known to improve skin health by providing soothing and protective actions.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract contains a range of bioactive components responsible for its therapeutic effects:

Flavonoids: These compounds play a crucial role in protecting the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. The flavonoids present in the extract, such as quercetin and rutin, also provide anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce skin inflammation and redness.

Saponins: The saponins present in the extract have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They can help improve skin elasticity and promote healthy, toned skin.

Phenolic Acids: These compounds, including ferulic acid and caffeic acid, are known for their powerful antioxidant properties. Phenolic acids help neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage caused by environmental exposure.

Essential Oils: The essential oils contained in the extract have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. These volatile components can help maintain clean and healthy skin by reducing the risk of infections and inflammations.

Physical Properties:

Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract typically appears as a liquid ranging in color from light green to pale yellow. It has a fluid consistency and a natural herbal aroma that reflects its plant origin. The color and aroma may vary depending on the extraction method and the concentration of the extract.

Production Process:

Harvesting:
Houttuynia cordata leaves are harvested during the optimal growth season to ensure the highest concentration of active principles. Careful harvesting is essential to preserve the quality of the leaves.
Extraction:
The leaves are washed and prepared for extraction. The extraction process may involve the use of plant-based solvents or water-based methods to obtain the concentrated extract. The extraction process preserves the essential bioactive components to ensure the effectiveness of the final product.

Applications:

Soothing: The extract helps to calm irritated and inflamed skin, providing immediate relief from redness or sensitivity.
Hydrating: Contributes to maintaining and improving skin hydration, making it softer and smoother.
Protective: Provides a protective barrier against environmental damage and oxidative stress, helping to prevent premature aging of the skin.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract is generally regarded as safe for topical use. However, like all natural extracts, it should be used according to established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. It is important to ensure that the extract is sustainably sourced and free from harmful chemicals.

INCI Functions:


Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
Synonyms:

CAS: 164288-50-0