What Is Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract?
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract comes from the flowers and leaves of watercress, a leafy aquatic plant that grows in cool running streams. The plant is naturally rich in vitamins A C and E along with minerals like calcium and iron. It also supplies sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates and small amounts of flavonoids, both valued for their skin caring properties. Watercress has a long history in folk beauty routines where crushed leaves were applied to the face for a fresh look. Modern cosmetic labs use a gentler approach: the fresh or dried plant material is soaked in a mix of water and sometimes glycerin or propanediol, then filtered to create a clear concentrated liquid. The resulting extract is stable, water soluble and easy to blend into formulas. You will often spot it in mattifying day creams, clarifying masks, balancing toners, scalp lotions and post-shave or after-sun gels where a light soothing touch is needed.
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This botanical offers several helpful actions when applied to skin or scalp
- Anti-Sebum: Helps regulate excess oil making skin look less shiny and helping makeup stay put longer. In hair care it can refresh an oily scalp between washes
- Soothing: Calms mild redness or discomfort which is why it appears in after-sun and post-shave products
- Tonic: Gives a light stimulating feel that can leave skin looking brighter and more awake while also helping hair feel cleaner and livelier
Who Can Use Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Thanks to its oil balancing yet gentle nature, this extract is most appreciated by people with oily, combination or normal skin looking to keep shine at bay. Sensitive skin can usually tolerate it because the plant also contains calming compounds, though anyone with a known watercress allergy should steer clear. Very dry or compromised skin might find the anti-sebum action a bit too regulating and may prefer richer ingredients.
The extract is plant derived with no animal by-products so it suits both vegans and vegetarians. It is also commonly processed without animal testing when sourced from reputable suppliers, making it an ethical choice for cruelty-free shoppers.
There is no specific evidence that topical watercress extract is harmful during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Still this is not medical advice and expecting or nursing mothers should check any new skincare routine with their doctor before use.
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract is not known to make skin more sensitive to sunlight and can safely be used in daytime formulas alongside sunscreen. It mixes well with most other cosmetic ingredients and does not affect makeup wear or hair color treatments.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract differ from person to person. The following are possible, not probable, outcomes when the ingredient is used correctly in a finished product and most people will never notice any of them.
- Mild stinging or transient redness in very reactive or freshly exfoliated skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to Brassicaceae plants such as mustard or broccoli
- Dryness or a tight feeling if high concentrations are layered on already dehydrated skin
- Amplified irritation when paired with strong leave-on acids or retinoids without adequate buffering time
If any discomfort, rash or persistent redness develops stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract is a water based botanical that contains almost no pore clogging lipids or heavy waxes so it does not create a film that traps sebum. Its glucosinolates and gentle astringent minerals can even help keep pores clearer by tempering surface oil. For these reasons it earns the lowest comedogenic score.
Suitable for skin that is prone to acne or frequent breakouts.
Because the extract is usually supplied in an aqueous or glycerin medium its presence does not change the overall pore clogging potential of a formula unless the surrounding ingredients are heavy.
Summary
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract offers three main perks: it tempers excess oil for a fresher looking complexion, it soothes mild irritation thanks to its vitamins and flavonoids and it gives skin or scalp a light tonic boost that feels revitalising. These effects stem from its natural blend of antioxidants, minerals and gently astringent sulfur compounds.
While not as famous as green tea or aloe, watercress extract is gaining quiet traction in mattifying day creams, balancing toners and scalp care lines because formulators value its oil control without harshness.
The ingredient is generally considered safe for everyday use with very few reported sensitivities. As with any new skincare product a quick patch test on a small area is a smart precaution before going all in.