What it is
This extract is obtained from the young buds of Pinus sylvestris and contributes plant-derived polyphenols and aromatic constituents to a formula. In sunscreens and moisturizers it is typically present at low levels as a marketing-forward botanical and skin-conditioning ingredient rather than as a functional active. Its naturally occurring volatile components can also lend a faint coniferous scent to the finished product.
Safety & warnings
Pine-derived extracts contain naturally occurring terpenes and aromatic constituents that can act as contact sensitizers in predisposed individuals, so the extract may be a source of irritation or allergy for people sensitive to coniferous botanicals. As with most leave-on plant extracts, patch testing is reasonable for those with reactive skin.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; derived from the buds of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), a conifer widely distributed across Europe and Asia.
Questions everyone asks
What part of the plant is this extract from?
It is made from the buds of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), distinct from extracts of the leaves, bark, or cones of the same tree.
Is it a UV filter?
No. It is used as a botanical skin-conditioning and antioxidant-type additive and does not provide sun protection on its own.