What it is
Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen shell extract is obtained from the outer shell or hull of Job's tears seeds, a botanical part of the same plant prized in East Asian skincare. It is used as a skin-conditioning ingredient that contributes plant-derived constituents to a formula. In sunscreens it appears as a supporting botanical alongside other hatomugi-derived components.
Safety & warnings
As a botanical hull extract used at low levels it is generally well tolerated. People with grain-related sensitivities may wish to take care given its origin. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen and is not comedogenic.
Origin & sourcing
Natural, extracted from the shell (hull) of Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen seeds.
History
It draws on the long East Asian tradition of using Job's tears (hatomugi) in food and skincare.
Questions everyone asks
How is shell extract different from seed water?
Shell extract comes from the outer hull of the seed, while seed water is the aqueous extract of the seed itself; both derive from Job's tears.
What role does it play in skincare?
It functions as a skin-conditioning botanical that adds plant-derived constituents to a formula.