BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Cornflower Flower Extract
Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract
An extract of the bright blue flowers of the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins, used in skincare to condition skin and give it a gently toned feel.
Source
The blue flowers of the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Used for
Conditioned, gently toned skin
How it works
The blue of the summer meadow.
Cornflower flower extract is made from the vivid blue flowers of Centaurea cyanus, a meadow and cornfield wildflower.
The flowers are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavones, flavonols, anthocyanins and phenolic acids, giving them a notably high antioxidant capacity. The anthocyanins in the petals also show strong antioxidant activity.
In cosmetics its listed functions are skin conditioning, keeping skin in good condition, and astringent, giving a lightly toned, tightened feel. It suits toners, cleansers, creams and eye care, morning or night.
The flowers are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavones, flavonols, anthocyanins and phenolic acids, giving them a notably high antioxidant capacity. The anthocyanins in the petals also show strong antioxidant activity.
In cosmetics its listed functions are skin conditioning, keeping skin in good condition, and astringent, giving a lightly toned, tightened feel. It suits toners, cleansers, creams and eye care, morning or night.
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Extracted from the blue flowers of the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus
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Rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids with antioxidant capacity
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Conditions skin and gives a gently toned feel
Questions
Why are cornflowers so blue?
Their colour comes from protocyanin, a remarkable pigment in which six anthocyanin molecules and six flavone molecules are held together with iron, magnesium and calcium ions. Working out this structure answered a century-old question: why the cornflower is blue while the rose is red, even though both contain the same anthocyanin. (Takeda, 2006)
What does cornflower extract contain?
A wide range of phenolic compounds, including flavones, flavonols, anthocyanins and phenolic acids, with apigenin derivatives the most abundant. Together they give the flowers a notably high antioxidant capacity. (Kalinowska-Lis et al., 2026)
What does it do in skincare?
In the European cosmetic ingredient database, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract is listed as skin conditioning, which keeps skin in good condition, and astringent, which gives a lightly toned, tightened feel. (COSMILE Europe)
Is cornflower extract a good antioxidant?
Laboratory studies say yes. Anthocyanin-rich extracts from both blue and pink cornflowers showed strong antioxidant activity, and an ethanol extract of the flowers had high antioxidant capacity in several standard tests. (Popowska and Oracz, 2025; Kalinowska-Lis et al., 2026)
About the plant
The cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. (GBIF) Its flowers are best known in blue, though pink-flowered forms also exist. (Popowska and Oracz, 2025)
Its common names include bachelor's button and blue bottle. In cosmetics, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers, of plant origin. (COSMILE Europe)
Its common names include bachelor's button and blue bottle. In cosmetics, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers, of plant origin. (COSMILE Europe)
The research
- Kalinowska-Lis U, Czerwonka L, Piątczak E, Gonciarz W, Kolniak-Ostek J. The Phenolic Composition of Centaurea cyanus L. Flower Extracts: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Fibroblast Biocompatibility of a Phenolic-Rich Ethanolic Extract. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026;27(18):8101. PMID: 42794531. (opens in a new tab)
- Popowska A, Oracz J. Influence of Copigmentation and Encapsulation on Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Anthocyanins from Blue and Pink Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.) Flowers. Molecules. 2025;30(7):1467. PMID: 40286073. (opens in a new tab)
- Takeda K. Blue metal complex pigments involved in blue flower color. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, Physical and Biological Sciences. 2006;82(4):142-154. PMID: 25792777. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract (cornflower, bachelor's button, blue bottle; flowers; solvent extract; functions: astringent, skin conditioning; origin: plant) (opens in a new tab)
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Backbone Taxonomy: Centaurea cyanus L., accepted species, family Asteraceae (the daisy family) (opens in a new tab)
Found In
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