What it is
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of molokhia, a leafy vegetable widely eaten in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The leaves are rich in mucilaginous polysaccharides and polyphenols, which contribute to its conditioning and moisture-binding character in cosmetics. In sunscreens it is typically a supporting botanical in moisturizing or soothing formulas.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated as an edible-plant-derived extract. Sensitivity is uncommon, though as with any botanical, reactions are possible in predisposed individuals.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; a botanical extract from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius, a plant in the Malvaceae family grown as both a food crop and fiber source.
History
Molokhia has a long culinary history, notably in Egyptian and broader Middle Eastern cooking, and its mucilage-rich leaves have more recently been adopted in cosmetic extracts.
Questions everyone asks
What is molokhia?
Molokhia, or jute mallow, is a leafy green vegetable common in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, and its leaves are the source of this extract.
Why is it used in skincare?
Its leaves are rich in mucilage and polyphenols, giving it conditioning and moisture-binding properties suited to soothing formulas.