TUSSILAGO FARFARA FLOWER EXTRACT
What is TUSSILAGO FARFARA FLOWER EXTRACT?
Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia, traditionally used in herbal medicine for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. In skincare, extracts from its flowers are employed for their purported soothing, antioxidant, and wound-healing effects, helping to calm irritated skin and reduce inflammation. However, due to the presence of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) like senkirkine and tussilagine, its use in cosmetics has been heavily restricted or banned in many regions.
Roles in Formulation
This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:
Skin protecting
Forms a barrier to protect skin from external irritants.
Skin conditioning agent
Maintains skin softness, smoothness, and flexibility.
Soothing
Helps reduce the feeling of discomfort and visible irritation by supporting skin calmness, often through anti-irritant, barrier-supporting, or cooling mechanisms.
Antioxidant
Slows oxidation of oils, fragrances, and sensitive actives to improve shelf life and reduce rancidity or color change; sometimes also supports skin protection from oxidative stress.