Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract?

Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract comes from the callus cells of Perilla frutescens, an herb in the mint family that is popular in East Asian cooking and traditional skin care. Callus cells are undifferentiated plant cells that can be grown in a lab under sterile conditions. Scientists take a small piece of the plant, place it on a nutrient-rich medium, let the cells multiply, then collect and process them into an extract. Because the culture is grown indoors, the extract is free from soil pollutants and has a consistent profile every time.

Chemically the extract is rich in polyphenols like rosmarinic acid and flavonoids, along with sugars and amino acids that come naturally from the plant cells. These compounds give the extract antioxidant and soothing qualities that are valued in skin care.

The beauty industry picked up on Perilla frutescens when brands in Korea and Japan began looking for gentle botanical actives that could calm sensitive skin. Using callus culture lets formulators tap into the plant’s benefits without seasonal limits or large-scale farming.

You will most often see Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract in hydrating masks, calming serums, anti-aging creams, lightweight lotions and after-sun products where it supports moisture balance and helps comfort irritated or tired skin.

Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In cosmetics this ingredient serves one main role that brings several perks to the formula and to your skin.

Skin conditioning: The extract supplies antioxidants that help shield skin from daily environmental stress, while its natural sugars and amino acids draw and hold water on the surface. Together these actions smooth rough patches, soften texture and support a healthy skin barrier so the complexion looks calm and refreshed.

Who Can Use Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract

This gentle plant extract is generally suitable for all skin types including sensitive, dry, oily and combination. Its soothing nature makes it an easy add-on for skin that gets red or tight. People with known allergies to the mint family should check labels carefully because Perilla belongs to that group and could trigger a reaction.

The ingredient is made from lab-grown plant cells with no animal input so it is appropriate for vegans and vegetarians.

No data point to problems for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the extract is used on skin. Still this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should ask a doctor before starting a new product.

Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract does not increase photosensitivity so it can be used day or night. It also plays nicely with most active ingredients, making it easy to slot into existing routines.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to topical Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract differ from person to person. The points below list potential side effects, but most users experience none when the ingredient is well formulated.

  • Mild redness or warmth
  • Allergic contact dermatitis in people sensitive to mint family plants
  • Rare cross-reaction with other botanical extracts in the same product

If any of these reactions occur discontinue use and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0 / 5. Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract is water-soluble and contains mostly lightweight polyphenols, sugars and amino acids, none of which are known to clog pores. It lacks heavy oils and waxes that typically raise the comedogenic index, so it is considered non-comedogenic. This makes the extract a safe choice for skin prone to acne or breakouts. If the finished product contains richer emollients the overall formula could still be pore-clogging, but the extract itself is not.

Summary

Perilla Frutescens Callus Culture Extract conditions skin by delivering antioxidants that fight daily aggressors, humectant sugars that bind water and calming compounds that reduce visible redness. Thanks to lab cultivation the ingredient is consistent, vegan friendly and free from common field contaminants.

While it is not as famous as heavy-hitters like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, it enjoys steady popularity in Korean and Japanese formulations aimed at sensitive skin. Its gentle profile and compatibility with most actives keep it on the radar of formulators looking for subtle plant-based boosts.

Overall safety is high with only rare allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to mint family plants. As with any new skincare product, a simple patch test is wise to make sure your skin agrees with the final formula.

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