BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Coneflower (Echinacea) Extract
Echinacea Purpurea (Coneflower) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
An extract of the purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, made from its flowers, leaves and stems, rich in caffeic acid derivatives, used in skincare to condition skin and help it feel hydrated and comfortable.
Source
The flowers, leaves and stems of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Used for
Hydrated, comfortable-feeling skin
How it works
The purple coneflower, from flower to stem.
Coneflower extract is made from the flowers, leaves and stems of Echinacea purpurea, the purple coneflower.
The plant is a good source of natural antioxidants, with the flowers especially rich in phenolic compounds. Its best-known constituents are caffeic acid derivatives such as caftaric and cichoric acid, and extracts of the aerial parts show strong radical scavenging ability in the laboratory. Studies on skin have found that a cream and a gel containing Echinacea purpurea extract helped skin feel more hydrated and were well tolerated.
In cosmetics its listed function is skin conditioning, keeping skin in good condition. It suits day and night creams, serums and gels, morning or night.
The plant is a good source of natural antioxidants, with the flowers especially rich in phenolic compounds. Its best-known constituents are caffeic acid derivatives such as caftaric and cichoric acid, and extracts of the aerial parts show strong radical scavenging ability in the laboratory. Studies on skin have found that a cream and a gel containing Echinacea purpurea extract helped skin feel more hydrated and were well tolerated.
In cosmetics its listed function is skin conditioning, keeping skin in good condition. It suits day and night creams, serums and gels, morning or night.
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Extracted from the flowers, leaves and stems of the purple coneflower
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Rich in caffeic acid derivatives such as cichoric acid
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Studied in a cream and gel for improved skin hydration
Questions
Is coneflower the same as echinacea?
Yes. Echinacea purpurea is the purple coneflower, also called common echinacea. (COSMILE Europe; EMA)
Does coneflower extract help skin feel hydrated?
Yes. In a study on skin, a cream and a gel containing Echinacea purpurea extract both increased skin hydration, and neither caused any skin reaction. (Yotsawimonwat et al., 2010)
What does coneflower extract contain?
Mainly phenolic compounds, especially caffeic acid derivatives such as caftaric and cichoric acid. The flowers are richer in phenolic compounds than the stems and leaves. (Adebimpe Ojo et al., 2024)
Why use the flowers, leaves and stems together?
Each part brings something slightly different. The flowers carry more phenolic compounds, while the stems and leaves add to the overall plant profile, so an extract of the whole aerial plant gives a broad mix of its natural antioxidants. (Adebimpe Ojo et al., 2024; COSMILE Europe)
About the plant
The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae, and is grown as a crop in Europe. (GBIF; Adebimpe Ojo et al., 2024)
Its common names include coneflower and common echinacea. In cosmetics, Echinacea Purpurea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is an extract of those parts, of plant origin. (COSMILE Europe)
Its common names include coneflower and common echinacea. In cosmetics, Echinacea Purpurea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is an extract of those parts, of plant origin. (COSMILE Europe)
The research
- Yotsawimonwat S, Rattanadechsakul J, Rattanadechsakul P, Okonogi S. Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2010;32(5):340-346. PMID: 20384903. (opens in a new tab)
- Adebimpe Ojo C, Dziadek K, Sadowska U, Skoczylas J, Kopeć A. Analytical Assessment of the Antioxidant Properties of the Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench) Grown with Various Mulch Materials. Molecules. 2024;29(5):971. PMID: 38474483. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Echinacea Purpurea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (purple coneflower, coneflower, common echinacea; flowers, leaves, stems; solvent extract; function: skin conditioning; origin: plant) (opens in a new tab)
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Echinaceae purpureae herba (purple coneflower herb; botanical name Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench): European Union herbal monograph (opens in a new tab)
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Backbone Taxonomy: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, accepted species, family Asteraceae (the daisy family) (opens in a new tab)
