Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract
INCI: Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract
What is Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract?
Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract is also known as Oregon Grape. Oregon Grape is a shrub which bears blueberries from which it has got its name. It’s also known for the inner yellow-colored bark, a peculiar to this medicinal plant. The color yellow is because of an alkaloid called berberine which is yellow in color. This alkaloid gives all the therapeutic properties to the plant therefore, it is also called as Berberis aquifolium.
Use & Benefits:
Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract mainly works as a calming ingredient. It can calm irritated or itchy skin. The irritation can be a result of various reasons such as chemical exposure, prolonged sunlight exposure or allergic reaction of unknown origin. It has free radical scavenging action as well. It prevents and to some extent reverses the damage caused by free radicals. It also has antimicrobial properties. This particular property has a dual advantage, the first and foremost is it can protect the skin from odor-causing and acne-causing bacteria, thus keeping the skin calm and odor-free. Secondly, it can also keep the product free from any contamination for longer. it is used in formulations of many hair and skincare products, bath soaps, shampoos, and, anti-aging products.
ReferencesJournal of Ethnopharmacology, September 2009, pages 297-303
Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, September 2004, pages 4,709- 4,715