What Is Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract?
Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract comes from the heartwood of the Brasiletto tree, a small member of the Fabaceae family that grows in Central America and parts of Mexico. The wood is rich in natural pigments, mainly hematoxylin and brazilein, which give it deep red and brown tones. Indigenous people once used shaved or ground wood as a dye for fabrics and leather, and early settlers traded it for textiles and fine woodworking.
To make the cosmetic-grade extract, harvested wood chips are first dried then soaked in warm water. The colored liquid is filtered to remove splinters and debris, concentrated under low heat and finally spray-dried into a fine powder or left in liquid form. Modern processors follow cosmetic good manufacturing practices to ensure purity and consistent color strength.
Because of its vibrant shade and plant origin, the extract is a popular natural alternative to synthetic dyes. You will most often find it in lipsticks, lip balms, tinted moisturizers, eyeshadows, blushes, nail lacquers, artisan soaps and bath bombs. Some niche brands also use it to give a warm tint to solid perfumes and hair masks.
Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient serves one main purpose in beauty formulas.
As a colorant, Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract imparts rich reddish-brown hues that can range from soft rose to deep mahogany depending on concentration and pH. It helps brands create naturally tinted products without relying on petroleum-based or synthetic dyes, which appeals to consumers looking for plant-derived options. The extract’s good stability in oil and water systems makes it suitable for both anhydrous products like lipsticks and water-based items such as liquid blush or bath soaks.
Who Can Use Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract
Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract is considered friendly to all skin types, including dry, oily, combination and mature skin, because it functions only as a colorant and does not alter oil or water balance. Sensitive skin users generally tolerate it well though anyone with a known allergy to legumes or botanical dyes should proceed with caution due to its Fabaceae origin.
The ingredient is plant derived and contains no animal by-products or animal testing requirements, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals can usually use products tinted with this extract since it is not absorbed in significant amounts through intact skin. This is not medical advice and those who are expecting or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before adding any new cosmetic to their routine.
The extract is not known to increase photosensitivity. Normal sun protection practices are still recommended, but no special UV precautions are required purely because a product contains this dye.
Because its deep color can stain fabrics, users may want to avoid contact with light clothing or towels until the product has fully set or been rinsed.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract differ from person to person. The effects listed below are possible yet uncommon when the ingredient is properly formulated.
- Skin irritation – mild redness, itching or burning can occur in very sensitive individuals
- Allergic contact dermatitis – rare but possible in people allergic to legume family plants or natural dyes
- Temporary skin staining – deeper formulas may leave a short-lived tint on lighter skin if not fully removed
- Eye irritation – accidental contact can cause watering or stinging
If any unwanted reaction is noticed stop use immediately and consult a medical professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0/5. Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract is a powdered or liquid dye with no fatty acids, oils or waxes that could block pores. It sits on the surface to give color then is washed or wiped away, so it has virtually no clogging potential. Because of this it is generally fine for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin. If the finished product also contains heavy oils the overall formula could still be comedogenic but the extract itself is not.
Summary
Haematoxylum Brasiletto Wood Extract is used chiefly as a natural plant colorant, delivering warm red to brown tones that hold up well in both oil and water formulas. It lets brands create vegan dye-based makeup, soaps and bath items without synthetic pigments. While not as common as beetroot or iron oxides it has a small but growing fan base among clean beauty lines looking for unique earthy shades.
The extract is considered safe for most skin types and is non-comedogenic with side effects being rare and usually mild. As with any new cosmetic it is smart to patch test first to rule out personal sensitivity.