SAMBUCUS NIGRA EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: SAMBUCUS NIGRA EXTRACT — antioxidant, soothing (Elderberry).

All Functions: antioxidant, soothing (Elderberry)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Sambucus nigra (elderberry) is rich in polyphenols, a type of natural compound
• Research shows elderberry extract has antioxidant properties
• In lab studies, elderberry extract reduced DNA damage in human blood cells
• Scientists are exploring it as a natural alternative to synthetic cosmetic ingredients

📊 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

Sambucus nigra, commonly known as elderberry, is a fruit that contains bioactive compounds called polyphenols. Your skin cells face constant threats from oxidative stress—a type of cellular damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals, which come from both internal processes and external sources like sun exposure. This oxidative stress can damage DNA (your cells’ genetic instructions) and contribute to visible signs of aging. Researchers recently tested elderberry extract to see if it could protect against this kind of damage (Food Funct, 2024). #1: The extract demonstrated antioxidant activity, meaning it can neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Scientists measured this using two standard lab tests called ABTS and DPPH, which measure how well a substance fights oxidative damage.

#2: When human blood cells were exposed to substances known to cause DNA damage (streptonigrin and hydrogen peroxide), elderberry extract significantly reduced the amount of damage that occurred. Researchers used a specialized test called the Comet assay to detect this protective effect, including detection of oxidized purines (damaged DNA building blocks). The research suggests elderberry extract could be useful in skincare formulations as a natural protective ingredient, though these findings come from laboratory studies on isolated cells rather than human skin studies. More research would be needed to confirm how these benefits translate to real-world skincare use.

📄 Related Research

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

• Gonçalves S et al. (2024). Antigenotoxic and cosmetic potential of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extract: protection against oxidative DNA damage. Food Funct.

🧴 Products Containing SAMBUCUS NIGRA EXTRACT