BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Blueberry Fruit Extract
A berry rich in anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments studied for helping skin stand up to everyday environmental stress.
Source
Bilberry (European blueberry) fruit
Used for
Skin conditioning, antioxidant-rich botanical
How it works
Blueberry Fruit Extract comes from the fruit of Vaccinium myrtillus, the common (European) blueberry. Blueberries owe their colour to anthocyanins, a class of polyphenol antioxidants that make up the fruit's major active compounds, which are being studied in the laboratory for their potential to help skin stay comfortable and resilient-looking.
Laboratory research on human skin cells exposed to UV light found that Vaccinium myrtillus extract helped them cope with oxidative stress, an effect linked to the extract's free-radical-scavenging antioxidant activity.
Blueberry extract works especially well in a morning routine, where its antioxidant activity helps skin face the day's environmental stress, alongside daily SPF. It layers easily with other antioxidant serums and has no particular caution attached to it.
Laboratory research on human skin cells exposed to UV light found that Vaccinium myrtillus extract helped them cope with oxidative stress, an effect linked to the extract's free-radical-scavenging antioxidant activity.
Blueberry extract works especially well in a morning routine, where its antioxidant activity helps skin face the day's environmental stress, alongside daily SPF. It layers easily with other antioxidant serums and has no particular caution attached to it.
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Rich in anthocyanin antioxidants
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Studied in the lab for its antioxidant activity against environmental stress
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Supports skin's defence against everyday environmental stress
Questions
What is blueberry fruit extract?
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract is an extract of the fruit of Vaccinium myrtillus, the bilberry, a member of the heather family (Ericaceae), used in skincare as a skin-conditioning ingredient. The berries' deep colour comes from anthocyanins, natural antioxidant pigments. (European Commission CosIng; USDA GRIN; Lätti et al., 2008)
Is bilberry the same as blueberry?
Not quite. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is sometimes called blueberry because the two look alike and are close relatives, but the cultivated highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a different species, native to North America, while bilberry is native across much of Europe, including the UK, and northern Asia. That is why ingredient lists label this one Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry). (USDA GRIN; European Commission CosIng)
Is there research on bilberry extract for skin?
Yes. Laboratory research found that a bilberry extract helped skin cells exposed to UV light cope with oxidative stress, in keeping with the berry's well-known antioxidant character. Pair it with your daily SPF in the morning. (Calò & Marabini, 2014)
About the plant
Bilberry is a small shrub of the heather family, native across much of Europe, including the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, and into northern Asia. Its regional names include blaeberry, whinberry and whortleberry. (USDA GRIN)
The berries' blue colour comes from anthocyanins, with wild bilberries from central and northern Finland especially rich in them. (Lätti et al., 2008)
The berries' blue colour comes from anthocyanins, with wild bilberries from central and northern Finland especially rich in them. (Lätti et al., 2008)
The research
- Calò R, Marabini L. Protective effect of Vaccinium myrtillus extract against UVA- and UVB-induced damage in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2014;132:27-35. PMID: 24577051. (opens in a new tab)
- Lätti AK, Riihinen KR, Kainulainen PS. Analysis of anthocyanin variation in wild populations of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in Finland. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008;56(1):190-196. PMID: 18072741. (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission CosIng database: Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract (function: skin conditioning) (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission CosIng database: Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil (function: skin conditioning) (opens in a new tab)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, GRIN-Global Taxonomy: Vaccinium myrtillus L. (bilberry) (opens in a new tab)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, GRIN-Global Taxonomy: Vaccinium corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry) (opens in a new tab)
Found In
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