What Is Symphytum Officinale Extract?
Symphytum Officinale Extract is obtained from the entire comfrey plant, Symphytum officinale, a flowering herb native to Europe and parts of Asia. Comfrey has long been valued in folk skincare for its soothing qualities, thanks in part to compounds like allantoin, rosmarinic acid and mucilage that naturally occur in the plant. To create the cosmetic-grade extract, dried or fresh aerial parts and roots are macerated in a solvent such as water, glycerin or a mix of water and alcohol. The resulting liquid is then filtered and concentrated to capture the skin-friendly molecules while removing plant debris. Today formulators add Symphytum Officinale Extract to moisturizers, hydrating masks, anti-aging serums, after-sun products and targeted treatments aimed at calming stressed or sensitive skin.
Symphytum Officinale Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In cosmetics this ingredient is prized for the following benefit:
- Skin Conditioning: the extract helps soften and smooth the skin surface, supports a healthy moisture balance, calms the look of irritation and can leave the complexion feeling supple and refreshed
Who Can Use Symphytum Officinale Extract
The extract is generally friendly to most skin types, especially dry, sensitive or mature skin that needs an extra hit of comfort and hydration. Oily or combination skin can use it too because the ingredient itself is lightweight and non greasy, though very rich formulas that include it may feel heavy on skin prone to breakouts.
Because it is derived entirely from a plant source the extract is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, provided the finished product has not been mixed with animal derived additives.
Topical use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is thought to be low risk when the ingredient appears in standard cosmetic concentrations, but research on comfrey during these life stages is limited. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run any skincare product by their doctor before use just to be on the safe side.
The extract is not known to cause photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more reactive to the sun. Still, daily sunscreen is always a good habit.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Symphytum Officinale Extract can vary from person to person. The points below outline possible but uncommon reactions, and most users will not run into these issues when the ingredient has been formulated and used correctly.
- Skin irritation or stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in people allergic to comfrey or other plants in the Boraginaceae family
- Pore congestion if the extract is delivered in an overly rich base on acne prone skin
- Systemic exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids if large amounts are applied to broken skin over long periods
- Unexpected irritation from poor quality or improperly purified extracts
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5. Symphytum Officinale Extract itself is water soluble and light, with no heavy oils or waxy components that typically clog pores. Most formulas include it at low percentages chiefly for soothing or hydrating benefits, so the extract contributes virtually no occlusive load. The only time congestion might crop up is when the extract is delivered in a thick cream packed with rich butters or in poorly filtered homemade preparations that still contain plant solids.
In short, the ingredient is generally suitable for skin prone to acne or breakouts.
One extra note: comfrey contains natural mucilage that can feel slightly film forming. While this usually helps retain moisture, extremely oily skin might prefer using it in lightweight gels or serums rather than heavy balms.
Summary
Symphytum Officinale Extract is mainly a skin conditioning agent that softens, calms and hydrates thanks to its natural supply of allantoin, rosmarinic acid and soothing polysaccharides. By supporting the skin’s moisture barrier and reducing the look of irritation it helps leave the complexion comfortable and smooth.
The extract enjoys modest popularity. It is well loved in niche herbal inspired products and after-sun formulas, yet it is not as mainstream as aloe or chamomile so you may not see it in every drugstore moisturizer.
Overall safety is considered high when reputable suppliers remove harmful pyrrolizidine alkaloids and formulators use standard cosmetic levels. Side effects are rare and typically mild. As with any new skincare ingredient performing a quick patch test is a smart way to rule out personal sensitivity.