What Is Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract?
Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract comes from the runners, or stolons, of the common garden strawberry. These slender stems carry nutrients that help new strawberry plants take root, and they also hold a mix of natural sugars, organic acids, flavonoids and vitamins such as vitamin C. Because these compounds help protect the plant from stress, skin care chemists began looking at stolon extract in the early 2000s as a gentle source of antioxidants for topical products.
To make the extract, the stolons are harvested after the fruiting season, cleaned and then soaked in a water or water-glycol solution. Low heat or vacuum methods draw out the soluble parts, which are filtered and concentrated into a clear to pale amber liquid. The result is an ingredient that blends easily into water-based creams, gels and sprays.
You will most often see Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract in face masks, lightweight moisturizers, leave-on hair conditioners and anti-aging serums where a boost of plant-based protection or softness is desired.
Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This strawberry runner extract offers two main perks in beauty formulas
- Antioxidant: Helps neutralize free radicals created by UV light and pollution which can dull skin or lead to early signs of aging. Including it in a product can support a fresher, more even-toned look over time
- Hair conditioning: Adds a light layer of moisture that smooths the hair cuticle making strands feel softer and look shinier without heaviness
Who Can Use Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract
Most skin types can use strawberry stolon extract. It is water based and lightweight so oily and combination skin will not feel greasy while the softening effect can still comfort normal and dry skin. Sensitive skin also tends to tolerate it because the extract has low acid and no strong fragrance, though anyone with a known strawberry allergy should stay away.
The ingredient is plant derived with no animal by-products so it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
There is no research showing that Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract harms pregnant or breastfeeding women when applied to skin. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should ask a doctor before adding new products just to be safe.
The extract does not make skin more reactive to sunlight and does not need special timing or extra sun care beyond the daily SPF experts already recommend.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract differ from person to person. The points below list potential side effects but most users will not notice any problems when the ingredient is used in a well-formulated product.
- Mild skin redness or stinging
- Itch or small bumps in people allergic to strawberries
- Eye irritation if a spray or mask drips into the eyes
- Scalp build-up or limp roots if a leave-in hair product is overused
If any discomfort or unusual reaction occurs stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5
Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract is almost entirely water soluble and contains negligible oils or waxes, so it does not have the heavy molecules that typically clog pores. Its light antioxidant and humectant compounds rinse away easily and leave little residue, which explains the zero rating.
This makes the extract friendly for acne-prone or easily congested skin.
Because the raw material is usually delivered in a dilute solution, its final concentration in finished products is low enough that it rarely builds up in pores even when layered with other skincare.
Summary
Fragaria Ananassa Stolon Extract delivers a gentle antioxidant boost that helps fend off free radicals and a mild conditioning effect that smooths both skin and hair without weight. It does this through naturally occurring vitamin C, flavonoids and small sugars drawn from strawberry runners.
The extract is still a niche ingredient compared with better-known botanicals like green tea or aloe but formulators who want a fresh marketing angle often reach for it in light gels masks and leave-in conditioners.
Overall safety is high given its plant origin low use levels and lack of known photoreactivity. Most people tolerate it well yet it is wise to do a quick patch test whenever you try a new product just to make sure your skin or scalp agrees.