Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice: 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: June 27, 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 Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice?

Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice is the vibrant green juice pressed from the blooming tops, leaves and stems of barley, the same cereal grain long grown for food and drink. These tender plant parts are naturally rich in vitamins A, B group and C, minerals like potassium and zinc, chlorophyll, amino acids and antioxidant flavonoids, all of which make the juice appealing for skin care. Barley itself has been valued since ancient Mesopotamia for nourishment and soothing baths; modern formulators noticed that its young shoots hold a concentrated cocktail of skin friendly nutrients and began experimenting with the fresh juice in the 1990s natural beauty movement.

The juice is produced much like a vegetable shot: freshly harvested barley flowers, leaves and stems are washed, mechanically crushed then gently pressed. The vivid liquid is quickly filtered to remove pulp, stabilized to prevent oxidation and often dried into a water soluble powder for easy use in creams and serums.

Thanks to its mild, plant based profile it turns up in moisturizers, calming masks, after sun gels, anti aging serums, hydrating mists, eye creams and even scalp soothing lotions, bringing a touch of green wellness to a wide range of cosmetic formulas.

Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

This ingredient is prized for one main contribution to skin care formulas.

Skin conditioning: the juice supplies humectant sugars, amino acids and soothing antioxidants that help draw moisture into the skin, soften surface texture, support a healthy barrier and lend a refreshed look. Formulators use it to boost hydration, calm temporary redness and add a naturally derived nutrient blend to products aimed at revitalizing dull or stressed skin.

Who Can Use Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice

This gentle plant extract is generally suitable for dry, normal, combination and oily skin types because it hydrates without leaving a greasy film and lacks heavy oils that might clog pores. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it well thanks to its soothing antioxidants, although anyone with a known grass or barley allergy should be cautious.

Because the juice is entirely derived from barley plants with no animal involvement, products featuring it are typically appropriate for vegans and vegetarians. Always check the rest of the ingredient list to be sure the full formula aligns with personal lifestyle choices.

No data suggest that topical use poses a risk to pregnant or breastfeeding women when used as directed. This is not medical advice; anyone who is expecting or nursing should show any new skincare product to a healthcare professional before use just to be safe.

The ingredient is not known to cause photosensitivity, so it does not make skin more prone to sunburn. Standard daytime sun protection is still recommended any time you use leave-on products.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice can differ from person to person. The issues listed below are only potential effects and most users will not experience them when the ingredient is included at typical levels in well-formulated products.

  • Mild irritation such as temporary redness, stinging or itching in very sensitive skin
  • Contact allergy presenting as a rash or hives in individuals allergic to barley or other grasses
  • Folliculitis or small bumps if a formula containing the juice also includes occlusive ingredients that trap heat and sweat
  • Eye discomfort if the product accidentally enters the eyes, leading to watering or burning

Discontinue use and seek medical advice if you notice persistent irritation, swelling or any other concerning reaction after applying a product with this ingredient.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0 / 5 (non-comedogenic)

Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice is made up mostly of water, minerals, amino acids and small amounts of sugars, with virtually no heavy oils or waxy lipids that could lodge in pores. Because it is light, fast absorbing and hydrophilic, it does not sit on the skin surface or create an occlusive film that might trap dead cells and sebum. For these reasons it earns the lowest comedogenic score.

Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.

Only extremely concentrated, sticky barley grass extracts mixed into overly thick formulas might feel heavier, but the juice itself is unlikely to contribute to clogged pores.

Summary

Hordeum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice conditions the skin by delivering humectant sugars that pull in moisture, amino acids that support barrier function and antioxidants that calm environmental stress. It leaves skin softer, hydrated and comfortably refreshed.

While not as famous as aloe or green tea, this barley shoot juice has gained steady popularity inside the clean beauty niche and appears in a growing number of moisturizers, masks and soothing gels.

Overall safety is high: it is plant derived, non-comedogenic and rarely irritating unless you have a grass or barley allergy. Still, skin is personal; patch test any new product featuring this ingredient to be sure it plays nicely with your unique complexion.

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