What it is
This ingredient is prepared from the flowering tops of Artemisia capillaris, a plant long used in traditional East Asian herbal practice. In cosmetics it is included for its skin-conditioning and soothing properties and appears frequently in calming or sensitive-skin formulations, including sunscreens. The extract contributes plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids to the finished product.
Safety & warnings
Botanical extracts from the Artemisia (mugwort/wormwood) genus are a recognized source of contact sensitivity in some individuals, particularly those with existing allergies to plants in the Asteraceae (daisy/composite) family, so patch testing is reasonable for reactive skin. The extract is used at low concentrations as a conditioning additive rather than an active.
Origin & sourcing
Natural, derived from the flowers of the Artemisia capillaris plant, typically obtained by solvent or water extraction of the flowering tops.
Questions everyone asks
What is Artemisia capillaris flower extract used for in sunscreen?
It is added as a soothing, skin-conditioning botanical, common in calming or sensitive-skin sunscreen formulas. It is not a UV filter.
Could it cause an allergic reaction?
Plants in the Artemisia genus can trigger contact sensitivity in people allergic to Asteraceae-family plants, so a patch test is sensible if your skin is reactive.