VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT EXTRACT — antioxidant (Bilberry).

All Functions: antioxidant (Bilberry)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) contains tannins and anthocyanidins, compounds with antioxidant properties
• Research shows potential benefits for eye health, particularly related to blood vessel function and oxidative stress
• Most research has been conducted in animals; human studies are limited
• Generally well-tolerated as a food, but avoid if allergic to bilberry or other Vaccinium species
• Dietary supplement quality varies between products and may not match label claims

📊 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

Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract contains two main types of compounds: tannins and anthocyanidins (Peer-reviewed journal, 2006). Anthocyanidins are a class of plant pigments with antioxidant properties—meaning they help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. Here’s what the research shows about potential benefits, though important caveats apply:

#1: Eye protection from radiation damage. In a 2024 study in Cells Tissues Organs, rats exposed to X-ray radiation showed significant retinal damage. When given bilberry extract after radiation, the extract reversed markers of cellular damage in several retinal layers. Specifically, the extract increased glutathione (a protective antioxidant) and decreased harmful byproducts like malondialdehyde.

The researchers concluded bilberry extract “may provide protective effects against radiation-induced retinopathy” and suggested it could be useful as an “adjuvant therapy” (supplementary treatment alongside primary treatment). #2: Blood vessel function in diabetic eye disease. A 2015 study in International Journal of Food Science & Nutrition found that bilberry extract reduced fluorescein leakage (a sign of compromised blood vessel integrity) in diabetic rats’ eyes. The extract also decreased markers associated with early diabetic retinopathy, a condition where diabetes damages the blood vessels in the eye. Importantly, the extract did not lower blood glucose levels itself—the benefit appeared to be protection of existing blood vessels rather than treating diabetes directly.

#3: Microvascular protection during blood flow stress. Research published in PLoS One (2016) used hamsters to study how blood vessel networks respond to temporary oxygen deprivation and then restored blood flow. Animals fed a diet containing bilberry extract (which provided 34.7% anthocyanins) showed better preservation of small blood vessel function, reduced leakage from vessels, and less immune cell adhesion to vessel walls compared to controls. The extract also prevented excess reactive oxygen species production. #4: Metabolic effects in gestational diabetes. A 2026 Food & Function study in rats with gestational diabetes found that bilberry extract improved multiple metabolic markers including blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

The mechanism appeared to involve changes to gut bacteria composition and how the body processes bile acids, ultimately affecting hormone signaling pathways. However, this research has not been conducted in human pregnancies. **Important limitations**: All studies cited here used animal models (rats or hamsters), not humans. The 2006 source explicitly states that no safety data exist for bilberry in nursing mothers or infants. Because dietary supplements aren’t pre-approved by the FDA and manufacturers aren’t required to prove effectiveness before marketing, the actual quality and ingredient amounts in commercial products vary significantly—test results from one product may not apply to another.

The research is promising for specific eye-health applications, but much remains unknown about efficacy and safety in human use.

📄 Related Research

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

• Unknown authors (2006). Bilberry. a peer-reviewed journal.
• Fındık H et al. (2024). Protective Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus Extract on X-Ray Irradiation-Induced Retinal Toxicity via eNOS and 8-OHdG expression. Cells Tissues Organs.
• Jiang S et al. (2026). Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract alleviates gestational diabetes mellitus by coordinating TGR5/FXR signaling via a gut microbiota-bile acid axis. Food Funct.
• Kim J et al. (2015). Vaccinium myrtillus extract prevents or delays the onset of diabetes–induced blood-retinal barrier breakdown. Int J Food Sci Nutr.
• Mastantuono T et al. (2016). The Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus Extract on Hamster Pial Microcirculation during Hypoperfusion-Reperfusion Injury. PLoS One.

🧴 Products Containing VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT EXTRACT

• Vichy Masque Peel Double Éclat
• Vidal Charlotte Douche Fraise & Myrtille
• BelDay, Todis Balsamo per capelli colorati con estratto di mirtillo e olio di macadamia
• Deliplus facial clean
• bareMinerals Poreless Clay Cleanser
• bioland bioland
• Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
• Sasha Pure Vegan Shampoo – Curls
• milk_shake milk_shake Incredible Milk Leave-In Treatment
• EYEKO EYEKO SPORT WATERPROOF
• CREAM.LY EXFOLIATE MY SKIN
• SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum
• Christian Dior Dior Hydra Life – Aqua Sérum Hydratation Intense
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Rice Scrub Smooth 75ml
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier, Garnier SkinActive Pure Active Intensif 3 en 1 Anti-points noirs incrustés
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Garner Pure Active 3in1 Intensive Charcoal 150ml
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier PureActive 3 en 1 carbón
• Garnier miel mask
• winni’s naturel winni’s naturel shampoo uso frequente melograno e mirtillo nero
• codage Paris masque micro-peeling
• Green choisie generation Smooth &renew body wash
• NOVEX superhairfood
• Candès Sérum clarifiant et unifiant