Description

Houttuynia Cordata Flower/Leaf Extract is obtained from the flowers and leaves of the Houttuynia cordata plant, a member of the Saururaceae family. This extract is known for its therapeutic and cosmetic properties and is used for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating characteristics. The extract combines the benefits of both the flowers and leaves of the plant, offering a synergistic action to enhance skin health and appearance.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Houttuynia Cordata Flower/Leaf Extract contains various bioactive components that contribute to its therapeutic properties:

Flavonoids: Compounds such as quercetin and rutin, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They help protect the skin from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Saponins: Saponins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, improving skin elasticity and maintaining a toned, healthy appearance.

Phenolic Acids: Compounds like ferulic acid and caffeic acid present in the extract have potent antioxidant properties that help prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.

Essential Oils: The essential oils contained in the extract have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, contributing to maintaining healthy, infection-free skin.

Physical Properties:

Houttuynia Cordata Flower/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 concentration of the extract.

Production Process:

Harvesting:
The flowers and leaves of Houttuynia cordata are harvested during the optimal growth period to ensure the highest concentration of active principles. Harvesting must be done carefully to preserve the quality of the plant material.
Extraction:
The harvested flowers and leaves are processed and treated to obtain the concentrated extract. This process may involve advanced technologies to ensure high bioavailability of the active components.

Applications:

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

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Houttuynia Cordata Flower/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.

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 conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

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