What Is Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract?
Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract comes from the white nettle plant, a flowering herb that grows widely across Europe and parts of Asia. For centuries herbalists used white nettle teas and poultices to soothe skin discomfort, which sparked interest among cosmetic chemists. Today manufacturers harvest the flowers, leaves and stems, then macerate them in a mix of water and gentle solvents. The liquid is filtered and concentrated to capture the plant’s useful compounds, mostly flavonoids, tannins and small amounts of natural sugars that can hold water. The finished extract is a clear to amber liquid that blends well into water-based formulas.
You will often spot Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract in light moisturizers, calming face masks, after-sun gels and anti-aging serums where a touch of plant-derived comfort is welcome.
Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Its main role is skin conditioning. When added to a formula it helps soften and smooth the surface of the skin by attracting moisture and supporting the skin’s natural barrier. Formulators like it because it offers these benefits without a heavy or greasy feel, making the extract suitable for both leave-on and rinse-off products.
Who Can Use Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
This gentle botanical suits most skin types including dry, normal, combination, oily and sensitive skin because it conditions without leaving a heavy residue or clogging pores. There are no specific skin groups that must avoid it unless an individual already knows they react badly to plants in the mint family.
As a completely plant derived material containing no animal by-products or processing aids, it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women can generally use products containing Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, but solid safety studies in these groups are limited. This content is not medical advice: anyone who is expecting or nursing should show the ingredient list to their healthcare provider before use just to be safe.
The extract does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not considered photosensitising. It also plays well with common actives like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and mild exfoliating acids.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract differ from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects that might occur in rare cases. When the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product most people will not notice any of these issues.
- Mild redness or flushing right after application
- Transient itching or tingling
- Allergic contact dermatitis, especially in people sensitive to other plants in the mint family
- Localized swelling or small hives
If any of these reactions appear stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Comedogenic rating: 0–1. Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is water based with virtually no heavy oils or waxes, so it rarely settles into pores or forms the kind of film that can trap debris. That makes it a practical option for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin. While the extract itself poses little clogging risk, overall comedogenicity will still depend on the other ingredients in the finished product.
Summary
Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract conditions skin by attracting moisture, helping reinforce the natural barrier and offering mild soothing from its flavonoid content. Its light, water friendly nature lets it slip into gels, lotions and masks without greasiness so skin feels soft and calm.
Although not as famous as aloe or chamomile, the extract enjoys modest popularity in gentle and plant-focused formulas, especially those targeting sensitivity or early signs of aging.
Research and long-standing herbal use suggest it is generally safe with only occasional reports of allergy. Even so, skin can be unpredictable, so it is wise to patch test any new product containing this extract before full application.