Botanical Extracts

Liquid extracts, ready to add

Botanical extracts carry plant compounds such as polyphenols, polysaccharides and flavonoids into a formula. This section collects liquid extracts, supplied in glycerin, water, glycol or oil carriers, which can go straight into the right phase without a dissolving step. For dry material, see Plant Extract Powders.

Featured extracts

Tamarind Seed Extract

Tamarind Seed Extract is a glycerin extract of Tamarindus indica seed whose polysaccharide forms a light, flexible film that helps hold water at the skin surface. Use 1–5% in cool-down.

Antioxidant Complex T-5

Antioxidant Complex T-5 combines ginkgo, olive leaf, rooibos and green tea leaf extracts in one water-glycerin liquid, at 1–5% in cool-down.

Reading an extract label

The INCI of a liquid extract lists the carrier as well as the plant, for example Glycerin, Tamarindus Indica Seed Extract. The carrier counts toward your formula: a glycerin extract adds glycerin, and an oil extract adds oil. The plant-to-carrier ratio and solids content are shown on the CoA, and that is where to compare two extracts of the same plant.

Formulating with liquid extracts

Phase and temperature

Water- and glycerin-based extracts go into the water phase, usually in cool-down below 40 °C to protect heat-sensitive compounds. Oil extracts go into the oil phase or into anhydrous products.

Color and odor

Plant extracts are rarely colorless. Amber and green tints and an earthy scent are normal, so check the final shade and smell in your base and choose packaging accordingly.

Preservation

Water-based extracts can add a microbial load. Validate the preservative system for the full formula and run challenge testing.

Pairing with other ingredients

Extracts combine well with humectants and with peptides from our peptides section, each added separately in cool-down.

Documents and quality

Every lot ships with a CoA that lists appearance, carrier and the key specifications for that extract. Keep it with your batch records, and confirm pH, solids and microbial specifications before scale-up, as the Tamarind and T-5 pages recommend.

Building a botanical serum

A simple botanical serum combines water, a humectant, a light thickener, one or two liquid extracts at their stated levels and a validated preservative. Tamarind adds a cushioned film and T-5 adds a polyphenol blend, so the two cover texture and antioxidant positioning in one formula. Pilot at 100 g, record pH and viscosity after each addition, and run stability at room temperature and 40 °C before scaling.

Liquid or powder?

Choose a liquid extract when you want a fast cool-down addition and a known carrier, and a powder from Plant Extract Powders when you need a dry material for anhydrous products or compact storage.

Ordering

Orders ship from Florida, usually within 1 to 2 business days, and US shipping is free on orders of $50 or more.