What it is
This extract is derived from the germ, or embryo, of the seed of Nelumbo nucifera, the sacred lotus, a plant central to East and South Asian culture. It is valued in cosmetics for its content of plant polyphenols and is used for skin-conditioning and antioxidant-supporting purposes. In sunscreens it generally appears at low levels as a secondary botanical within skincare-forward formulas.
Safety & warnings
This botanical extract is generally well tolerated at the low concentrations used in cosmetics. As with any plant extract, sensitivity is possible in individuals prone to botanical reactions, so patch testing is sensible for very reactive skin.
Origin & sourcing
Natural plant extract obtained from the germ of lotus seeds (Nelumbo nucifera), usually prepared as an aqueous or glycol-based extract.
History
The lotus is a culturally significant plant in Asia with a long history of use in food and traditional preparations, and lotus-derived extracts were later adopted in Korean and other Asian cosmetics.
Questions everyone asks
What part of the lotus is this from?
It comes from the germ, or embryo, found inside the lotus seed of Nelumbo nucifera.
What does it do in skincare?
It serves as a skin-conditioning and antioxidant-supporting botanical, not as a UV filter.