What it is
This is a plant-derived extract from Hypericum erectum, a St. John's wort species used in traditional East Asian botanical preparations and now in cosmetics. In skincare and sun care it functions as a skin-conditioning ingredient and is often included for its plant polyphenol content. It is not a UV filter and does not contribute to sun protection.
Safety & warnings
Botanical extracts can occasionally cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, so a patch test is advisable for reactive skin. Some Hypericum species contain hypericin, a compound associated with photosensitivity at high internal doses; in topical cosmetic extracts the relevance is limited, but those with very sensitive or sun-reactive skin may prefer to monitor tolerance.
Origin & sourcing
Natural botanical extract derived from the Hypericum erectum plant, a species of St. John's wort native to East Asia.
Questions everyone asks
What plant does this extract come from?
It comes from Hypericum erectum, a species of St. John's wort known in Japanese as otogiriso.
Does it provide sun protection?
No. It is a skin-conditioning botanical extract and does not act as a UV filter or add to a product's SPF.