What it is
This is a botanical extract from the leaves of Alpinia speciosa, the shell ginger plant common in Okinawa and other subtropical regions. It is used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent and is valued for its plant-derived antioxidant constituents. In sunscreens it serves as a supporting botanical rather than as a UV filter.
Safety & warnings
As a botanical leaf extract, it is generally used at low levels in leave-on products. Plant extracts can occasionally provoke sensitivity in predisposed individuals, so a patch test is reasonable for sensitive skin. It is not classified as a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Natural, derived from the leaves of the shell ginger plant (Alpinia speciosa).
Questions everyone asks
What plant does this come from?
It comes from the leaves of Alpinia speciosa, commonly called shell ginger, a subtropical plant.
Does it block UV rays?
No. It is a skin-conditioning botanical with antioxidant constituents and does not act as a UV filter.