What it is
This ingredient is an extract of the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa, a flowering tree commonly known as banaba. The leaves contain polyphenols and tannins along with corosolic acid, contributing antioxidant-associated and mild astringent properties that are valued for conditioning the skin. It is used in the water phase of leave-on formulas as a botanical active.
Safety & warnings
Banaba leaf extract is generally well tolerated in cosmetic use. As with most botanical extracts, sensitive individuals may occasionally react, and overall tolerability depends on the concentration and finished formula.
Origin & sourcing
Natural botanical: extracted from the leaves of the banaba tree (Lagerstroemia speciosa).
Questions everyone asks
What plant does this come from?
It is extracted from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa, a tree commonly called banaba.
What is its role in skincare?
It acts as a skin-conditioning, antioxidant-associated botanical extract and is not a UV filter.