What Is Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract?
Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract comes from the red berries of the common hawthorn shrub, a flowering member of the rose family that thrives across Europe, North America and parts of Asia. The berries are rich in natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and a touch of vitamin C, all of which help protect the plant in the wild and make the extract attractive for skin care.
Hawthorn fruit has been used in folk preparations for centuries, mainly as teas and tonics. As interest in plant based beauty grew in the late twentieth century formulators noticed that hawthorn’s antioxidant profile could support skin appearance. Modern cosmetic labs usually make the extract by macerating dried or freshly harvested berries in a mix of water and food grade solvents like glycerin or propylene glycol, then filtering and concentrating the liquid. The result is a reddish to brown solution that blends easily into water based or emulsified products.
You will most often find Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract in soothing lotions, hydrating serums, anti aging creams, sheet masks, gel moisturizers and eye treatments where a gentle antioxidant boost is desired.
Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient is classified in cosmetic regulations as a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps keep skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy. By delivering plant derived antioxidants and mild sugars it supports the skin’s natural barrier, reduces the look of surface dullness and can provide a light soothing sensation that pairs well with hydrating actives.
Who Can Use Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract
Thanks to its light watery texture and gentle antioxidant profile, Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract suits most skin types including oily, combination, normal and dry. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it well because the extract is low in common irritants, though anyone with a known allergy to hawthorn or other members of the rose family may want to steer clear.
The ingredient is plant derived with no animal by-products so it fits vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.
No specific warnings exist for topical use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Current data suggest the extract is mild, but formal safety testing on pregnant or nursing women is limited. This is not medical advice, and anyone expecting or nursing should run any new skincare routine past a doctor just to be safe.
The extract does not make skin more sensitive to the sun and can be used day or night without increasing the risk of sunburn. It also plays nicely under makeup and blends with most other common actives like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract differ from person to person. The points below outline potential adverse effects, but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is formulated and used correctly.
- Mild stinging or redness in very sensitive or compromised skin
- Itchiness if an individual is allergic to hawthorn or related plants
- Contact dermatitis in rare cases of plant extract sensitivity
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
If you notice any of these reactions stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms do not resolve promptly.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5. Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract is a water based botanical with negligible oil or wax content, so it does not block pores on its own. That makes it a non-comedogenic choice that should not trigger new blackheads or whiteheads in acne-prone skin. As always the finished product’s overall formula matters; heavy oils, silicones or butters added by the brand can raise the pore-clogging potential even if the extract itself is clear.
Summary
Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract is valued for gentle skin conditioning driven by a cocktail of plant antioxidants and natural sugars. These compounds help neutralize surface free radicals, support the moisture barrier and leave skin feeling soft and refreshed. While not the most talked-about botanical on the market it shows up in a steady stream of hydrating serums, light creams and sheet masks where formulators want an easygoing antioxidant boost without heaviness.
Topical safety data and everyday user experience suggest the extract is well tolerated for most skin types with a very low risk of irritation or pore clogging. Still, everyone’s skin is unique, so patch testing a new product for a couple of days on the inside of the arm or behind the ear is a smart habit.