Dragon's blood

Dragon's blood at a glance

Dragon's blood is a liquid plant active made from the red sap of Croton lechleri, a tree that grows in the Amazon basin of Peru and Ecuador. The French producer Cabiosa prepares the resin in glycerin and water, which gives the INCI Glycerin, Aqua, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract. The liquid ranges from red orange to brown, dissolves in water and is used at 3 to 5% of the finished product. It goes into the active phase of a formula. Few botanical names are as evocative, and dragon's blood serums and creams have become a recognizable product category.

The story of sangre de drago

When the bark of Croton lechleri is cut, it bleeds a thick, deep red sap. Local people call it sangre de drago, dragon's blood, and have used it for generations as part of their traditional culture. In modern cosmetics the resin is valued for its film forming character: on the skin it dries to a thin, protective layer that gives an immediate smoothing feel. This second skin effect is the basis of most dragon's blood products.

What it does in skin care

Products with dragon's blood make skin look smoother and firmer, feel protected and more comfortable and look more radiant. The film forming property gives a quick, visible smoothing of the surface, which consumers notice right after application. It suits stressed, tired or fragile looking skin and fits into appearance-focused cosmetic and comfort lines alike. Keep all claims cosmetic and focused on look and feel.

How to formulate

Dose and process

Use 3 to 5%. Add the extract to the active phase, which in an emulsion means the cool-down stage below 40 °C, and in a gel or serum means directly to the water. Stir until the color is even.

Color as a feature

The red to brown color is part of the appeal. A dragon's blood serum with a soft red tint signals the ingredient right away. In white creams the extract gives a light pink to tan tone, so choose packaging that suits it or adjust with a small amount of titanium dioxide if a pale cream is needed.

Partners

A firming serum can combine dragon's blood with hyaluronic acid for hydration and a peptide such as palmitoyl tripeptide-38 for a stronger appearance-focused cosmetic message. Discover more appearance-focused cosmetic actives in the cosmetic actives section.

Product ideas

Dragon's blood serums, firming gel creams, eye contour gels, night creams, masks and comfort creams for skin that feels stressed are the main uses. The striking name works well as the hero of a whole line, from cleanser to night cream.

Sample recipe: dragon's blood smoothing serum, 100 g

Distilled water 85.70 g, glycerin 3.00 g, propanediol 3.00 g, Dragon's blood 5.00 g, sodium hyaluronate 0.30 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 0.50 g, panthenol 1.00 g, preservative 1.00 g, citric acid solution 0.50 g. Hydrate sodium hyaluronate and the cellulose in water, add glycerin, propanediol and panthenol, then the dragon's blood and the preservative, and adjust to about pH 5.5.

Labeling and claims

On the ingredient list the active appears as Glycerin, Aqua and Croton Lechleri Resin Extract. In marketing copy, dragon's blood or sangre de drago are both accurate and well known names. Claims of a smoother, firmer looking and more protected feeling skin can be supported with a short consumer test.

Stability

Plant resins can darken slightly over time and in light. Pack the finished product in opaque or tinted packaging and run a four week test at 40 °C. A slight change in shade is normal and does not affect performance.

Storage

Store in a cool, dark place in a tightly closed container. A certificate of analysis comes with every lot.