FSS Cornflower Extract BG
Preserved with Leucidal Liquid
The cornflower, or Centaurea cyanus of the family Asteraceae, is
a plant species native to Europe that has been naturalized throughout North
America. The plant is referred to as Bluebottle or Bluebonnet. These names were
inspired by the blue petals of the original cultivar, although the flowers are available
in other hues such as red, white and pink. The long-stemmed blue heads of the
flower yield a juice that, when mixed with alum, can be used as a dye. The
upper parts of the plant consist of multiple stems of flowers, and the leaves
are covered in small white hairs that cause the plant to appear a bluish-gray
hue.
Historically, cornflowers have been used medicinally to fight the plague
and other infectious diseases, as the juice is reputed for its wound-healing
abilities. A decoction of cornflower has been shown to be a successful
treatment of conjunctivitis and is still used as a remedy for eye ailments.
Cornflowers contain many useful phytochemicals, such as protocyanin, tannins
and flavonoids, all found in the flower of the plant. Protocyanin is the
pigment responsible for giving this herb its intense blue color. Tannins are
naturally occurring herbaceous polyphenols whose main characteristic is that
they bind and precipitate proteins. Tannins can be particularly functional in
cosmetics as well. When topically applied, they have astringent properties,
making them excellent for minimizing the appearance of pores. Another valuable
phytochemical of the cornflower is one of the flavonoids, apigenin, an
anti-oxidant, found in the flower heads. The antioxidant characteristics of
flavonoids are due, in part, to the position of hydroxyl groups on the ring
structures. Apigenin, along with the other phytochemicals, impart a gentle
astringent effect that also soothes inflamed and irritated skin. Because of its
anti-irritant, antioxidative, and astringent properties, cornflower may help
increase tone while minimizing oxidative stress and delivering a soothing
aesthetic.
FSS Cornflower Extract BG is useful in skin and
hair care applications where formulators are interested in capitalizing on the
trend for natural botanicals that deliver functional benefits.
INCI
Nomenclature:
|
Butylene Glycol & Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract
|
Suggested
Use Levels:
|
1-10%
|
Appearance:
|
Light Yellow Liquid
|
pH:
|
5.0-7.0
|
Preservative/Antimicrobial:
|
Leucidal Liquid
|
Solubility:
|
Water
Soluble
|
Storage: Protected from direct
light and humidity at a temperature of 50°-77°F (10°-25°C)
Shelf life: 12 months, properly stored, in sealed container. This product should be added to a formulation at the recommended usage
rate