HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA FLOWER EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA FLOWER EXTRACT — antioxidant, mild natural exfoliating properties.

All Functions: antioxidant, mild natural exfoliating properties

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) flower extract has been studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
• Research suggests it may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels in people with prehypertension
• The plant contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids that act as antioxidants
• Studies are mostly laboratory-based or animal models; human research is limited
• Different extraction methods (aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate) show varying potency in research

📊 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

Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract has been investigated across several research areas, though it’s important to note that most studies are conducted in laboratory or animal settings rather than on human skin. #1: Anti-inflammatory effects. In cell-based research published in Inflammopharmacology (2025), aqueous hibiscus extract reduced inflammatory markers including ROS (reactive oxygen species), nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α in immune cells. The extract appeared to work by suppressing specific cellular signaling pathways (TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3). However, this research was conducted in macrophages (immune cells in a dish), not in human skin. #2: Antioxidant activity. Research in the Journal of Food Biochemistry (2022) demonstrated that hibiscus extracts showed antioxidant activity in laboratory assays, with the ethanolic extract performing strongest in DPPH and FRAP assays (methods that measure free radical scavenging ability).

The plant contains phenolic compounds identified through chemical analysis. In animal models of liver damage, hibiscus increased the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase while reducing oxidative stress markers. #3: Blood pressure and cholesterol effects. A human study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences (2024) involving 60 people with prehypertension found that oral supplementation with aqueous hibiscus flower extract was associated with significant reductions in blood pressure and serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels. This is the only consumer-relevant human study among these sources, though it measured internal health markers rather than skin effects.

#4: Potential hepatoprotective (liver-protective) effects. Research in Medicina (Kaunas) (2023) in vitamin B12-deficient rats showed that hibiscus ethanol extract reduced liver inflammation markers and improved liver function enzyme profiles. The extract decreased inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10. Importantly, none of these sources directly address topical application to skin or skincare benefits. The research focuses on oral consumption or laboratory cell models. The phytochemicals present (flavonoids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins per Endocrine & Metabolic Immune Disorders—Drug Targets, 2024) are theoretically interesting for antioxidant purposes, but translating cell-based or internal health research to skin benefits requires caution.

📄 Related Research

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

• Munkong N et al. (2025). Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Roselle flower) extract exerts protective effects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by ameliorating TLR4/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Inflammopharmacology.
• Sridevi B et al. (2024). Effectiveness of Aqueous Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract on Reduction of Blood Pressure and Serum Lipids Among Prehypertensive Patients. J Pharm Bioallied Sci.
• Mohamed AI et al. (2022). Hibiscus sabdariffa L. polyphenolic-rich extract promotes muscle glucose uptake and inhibits intestinal glucose absorption with concomitant amelioration of Fe(2+) -induced hepatic oxidative injury. J Food Biochem.
• Ujianti I et al. (2023). Effect of Roselle Flower Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) on Reducing Steatosis and Steatohepatitis in Vitamin B12 Deficiency Rat Model. Medicina (Kaunas).
• Amtaghri S et al. (2024). A Comprehensive Overview of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: Its Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Therapeutic Uses, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicology. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets.

🧴 Products Containing HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA FLOWER EXTRACT

• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 5.5 Lys Mahognibrun
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 6 MørkeBlond
• Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Cleansing Foam
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 8.3 Lys Gyldenblond
• Botanic Basic Contorno de ojos
• Unilever, Dove Dove Gel Douche Revive 500ml
• Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Dream Jelly Face Wash
• sephora
• beija flor elasti body wash
• Yesto Yesto Coconut – Hand & Cuticule Cream (crème pour les mains)
• N.A.E., NAE idratazione
• Cosmia Bio Deodorant doux bio hibiscus
• U Shampooing doux à l’extrait d’Hibiscus et Lait de Coco
• A Derma A Derma A Derma
• Monoprix Déodorant efficacité 24h
• Facetheory Peptide Firming Eye Cream
• nae fig hibiscus body lotion
• Atomy Atomy absolute BB no.23 spf 50
• Unilever, Dove Dove Gel Douche Amande et Hibiscus
• Unilever Norge AS Shower Gel Reviving 450 ml
• Sabon Sabon Repair Shampoo
• Cosmia Mousse lavante mains
• Avril Déodorant Bille Aloe Vera
• alvadiem soin protection intense
• Maxim Markenprodukte GmbH & Co. KG, novoderm Q10 Anti-Falten Maske
• Fester Conditioner (Foamie)
• Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash
• Candès Sérum clarifiant et unifiant
• Dermaclay Junior Shampooing 2 en 1 démêlant Fraise Grenade Lait de coton
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 4 Brun
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 8 Lysblond
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 5 Lysebrun
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 7 Blond