What it is
Crataegus cuneata fruit extract is derived from the fruit of Japanese hawthorn and is naturally rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. In cosmetic formulas it is included for antioxidant and skin-conditioning support. It appears in Japanese sun care and treatment products, often alongside other botanical extracts.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated as a dilute botanical extract. As with any plant extract, sensitization is possible in predisposed individuals, but it is not a recognized common allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; extracted from the fruit of the Japanese hawthorn shrub (Crataegus cuneata).
History
Hawthorn fruit (sanzashi) has a long history of use as a food and traditional botanical in East Asia, which informs its inclusion in modern Japanese cosmetics.
Questions everyone asks
What plant does this come from?
It comes from the fruit of Crataegus cuneata, the Japanese hawthorn, a shrub whose fruit is also used in food.
Why is it added to sunscreens?
It is included mainly for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties as a supporting botanical.