ANGELICA SINENSIS EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Also Known As: 当归（ANGELICA SINENSIS）提取物

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Angelica sinensis extract (dong quai) contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties studied in lab models
• In cell studies, the extract reduced markers of skin aging caused by UV exposure
• Lab tests showed the extract had antimicrobial activity against common skin bacteria
• The extract supported collagen-related signaling in dermal fibroblasts
• Results are from laboratory cell models—real-world skin performance hasn’t been established yet

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Angelica sinensis, commonly known as dong quai, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb being explored for skincare. The research abstract describes laboratory testing of an extract containing 1% ligustilide (one of the plant’s active compounds) on human skin cells grown in dishes. #1: Anti-inflammatory activity (Front Pharmacol, 2026): When keratinocytes (the most common skin cell type) were exposed to a inflammatory trigger, the extract reduced a key inflammatory pathway called NF-κB. This suggests the extract may help calm inflammation, though this was observed only in laboratory cells, not in living skin. #2: Antioxidant effects (Front Pharmacol, 2026): The extract lowered reactive oxygen species—unstable molecules that damage skin—both at baseline and when cells were challenged with hydrogen peroxide (a stressor).

This was seen in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts (deeper skin cells that provide structural support). #3: Reduced UV-induced aging markers (Front Pharmacol, 2026): After UVB exposure (the sun’s aging rays), the extract reduced signs of cellular senescence (aging) in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The extract also increased collagen type I signaling in fibroblasts, which relates to skin firmness and structure. #4: Antimicrobial activity (Front Pharmacol, 2026): Lab tests showed strong inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, and partial, dose-dependent inhibition of Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia globosa—bacteria and fungi relevant to common skin concerns. Important limitation: These results come from cells in dishes, not human skin studies.

The researchers explicitly state that real-world topical performance in finished products has not yet been established.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Giacomini I et al. (2026). Activity of Angelica sinensis extract for cutaneous applications: antioxidant, anti-senescent, and antimicrobial effects. Front Pharmacol.

🧴 Products Containing ANGELICA SINENSIS EXTRACT