BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Oak Bark Extract
Quercus Robur Bark Extract
An extract of English oak bark, naturally rich in tannins and polyphenols such as ellagic acid, used as an astringent for a toned, refined feel and antioxidant support.
Source
Bark of the English oak
Used for
A toned, refined-looking finish
How it works
Tannin-rich, naturally astringent.
Oak bark comes from the English oak, Quercus robur, one of Europe's most familiar trees. The bark is a rich store of polyphenols, including tannins and ellagic acid, and extracts of it show high antioxidant activity in the laboratory.
Tannins are what give oak bark its character. They are astringent: in cosmetics, oak bark extract is listed for contracting and tightening the skin, which gives a toned, refined, fresh feel on the surface. That astringent quality is why it is valued in day creams, toners and antioxidant serums.
Because the bark's natural compounds vary from tree to tree, a carefully made extract gives the most consistent result. It suits use morning or night.
Tannins are what give oak bark its character. They are astringent: in cosmetics, oak bark extract is listed for contracting and tightening the skin, which gives a toned, refined, fresh feel on the surface. That astringent quality is why it is valued in day creams, toners and antioxidant serums.
Because the bark's natural compounds vary from tree to tree, a carefully made extract gives the most consistent result. It suits use morning or night.
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01
Naturally rich in tannins and polyphenols such as ellagic acid
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02
Astringent, for a toned, refined feel
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03
Antioxidant support
Questions
What does astringent mean?
In cosmetics, an astringent ingredient contracts and tightens the skin, giving a toned, fresh feel. That is the listed function of oak bark extract. (COSMILE Europe)
What gives oak bark its benefits?
Its polyphenols. English oak bark contains several polyphenols in high amounts, ellagic acid among them, and its extract shows high antioxidant activity. (Elansary et al., 2019)
About the plant
Oak bark used in Europe comes from the English oak (Quercus robur) and its close relatives, the sessile oak and the downy oak, and it has a long history of use in Europe. (EMA)
Oak bark is a rich source of natural phenolic compounds, and how much of them an extract carries depends on the tree and how it is extracted. (Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė et al., 2023)
Oak bark is a rich source of natural phenolic compounds, and how much of them an extract carries depends on the tree and how it is extracted. (Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė et al., 2023)
The research
- Elansary HO, Szopa A, Kubica P, Ekiert H, Mattar MA, Al-Yafrasi MA, El-Ansary DO, El-Abedin TKZ, Yessoufou K. Polyphenol Profile and Pharmaceutical Potential of Quercus spp. Bark Extracts. Plants (Basel). 2019;8(11):486. PMID: 31717611. (opens in a new tab)
- Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė V, Čėsnienė I, Leleikaitė G, Baliuckas V, Vaitiekūnaitė D. Phenolic and Antioxidant Compound Accumulation of Quercus robur Bark Diverges Based on Tree Genotype, Phenology and Extraction Method. Life (Basel). 2023;13(3):710. PMID: 36983864. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Quercus Robur Bark Extract (English oak; bark; solvent extract; function: astringent, contracting and/or tightening the skin; origin: plant) (opens in a new tab)
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Quercus cortex (oak bark; botanical names Quercus robur L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus pubescens Willd.): European Union herbal monograph (opens in a new tab)
Found In
Type: Face Care
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