Potentilla Fragarioides 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
Share:
Inside this article:

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 Potentilla Fragarioides Extract?

Potentilla Fragarioides Extract is a botanical ingredient obtained from the entire Potentilla fragarioides plant, a member of the rose family that grows across East Asia and parts of Europe. The plant contains naturally occurring compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids, well known for their soothing and antioxidant qualities. Traditional folk remedies valued the herb for calming irritated skin and this heritage paved the way for its modern cosmetic use. Today manufacturers harvest the aerial parts, dry them, then macerate the plant matter in a blend of water and food-grade solvents. The solution is filtered and concentrated to yield a stable, skin-friendly extract free of residual solvents. You will most often spot Potentilla Fragarioides Extract in hydrating sheet masks, gentle daily moisturizers, calming serums, after-sun gels, and anti-aging creams that aim to boost overall skin comfort.

Potentilla Fragarioides Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In formulas Potentilla Fragarioides Extract primarily serves as a skin-conditioning agent, helping skin feel softer, smoother, and more supple. The rich mix of plant antioxidants supports a healthy skin barrier and helps maintain moisture levels so products featuring the extract can leave the complexion looking refreshed and comfortably hydrated.

Who Can Use Potentilla Fragarioides Extract

Thanks to its gentle nature Potentilla Fragarioides Extract suits most skin types including dry, normal, combination and oily. Those with sensitive or easily irritated complexions often tolerate it well because the plant compounds help calm visible redness. Extremely reactive or allergy-prone skin should still introduce any new product slowly but the extract itself has no properties that single out a specific skin type as unsuitable.

The ingredient is plant derived with no animal by-products or animal testing inherent to its sourcing so it is considered appropriate for vegans and vegetarians.

Current research does not flag any special concerns for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the extract is used topically in cosmetic amounts. Even so this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run their full skincare routine past a healthcare professional to be safe.

Potentilla Fragarioides Extract is not known to cause photosensitivity and it contains antioxidants that may even give a little extra support against everyday environmental stressors. Standard daytime sun protection is still necessary because the extract is not a substitute for sunscreen.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Side effects from topical Potentilla Fragarioides Extract differ from person to person and most users experience none at all when the ingredient has been formulated correctly. The points below list rare but possible reactions.

  • Mild itching or redness in very sensitive individuals
  • Stinging on compromised or freshly exfoliated skin
  • Contact dermatitis in users allergic to plants in the rose family
  • Eye irritation if the product accidentally enters the eye area

If you notice persistent discomfort stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0–1 out of 5. Potentilla Fragarioides Extract is usually supplied in a water or light humectant base and brings almost no pore-clogging lipids to a formula. Its naturally astringent tannins can even help keep pores feeling clearer.

With such a low rating it is considered suitable for skin prone to acne or breakouts.

The overall formula still matters, so if the extract sits in a rich cream packed with heavy oils the finished product could act differently on congested skin.

Summary

Potentilla Fragarioides Extract conditions skin, supports moisture balance and supplies antioxidants that soothe and reinforce the surface barrier. These actions come from the plant’s flavonoids, tannins and phenolic acids working together to leave skin softer, calmer and more resilient.

Although it is not yet a household name it is steadily appearing in calming serums, after-sun gels and light moisturizers aimed at sensitive or easily flushed complexions.

Topical use is widely viewed as safe with only isolated reports of irritation in people allergic to the rose family, yet it is still smart to patch test any new product featuring this extract to make sure your skin agrees with it.

Was this article helpful?
More from Glooshi:
ADVERTISEMENT
Get all our top headlines in beauty.
Delivered right to your inbox each week. Zero spam, all goodness, opt-out at anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Get the latest beauty news, top product recommendations & brand-exclusive discount codes direct to your inbox.
Send good feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send bad feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Search