What it is
This ingredient is derived from the small reddish-purple berries of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, an evergreen shrub native to southern and southeastern Asia. The fruit is rich in polyphenols and other plant compounds, and the extract is included in formulations for its conditioning and antioxidant character. In sunscreens it typically appears at low levels as a supporting botanical rather than as a UV filter.
Safety & warnings
As a botanical fruit extract it is generally well tolerated at the low concentrations used in cosmetics. As with any plant-derived ingredient, sensitive or allergy-prone individuals may occasionally react, so patch testing is reasonable for those with reactive skin.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; produced by extraction from the fruit of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, a shrub in the myrtle family found across South and Southeast Asia.
Questions everyone asks
What is rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit extract?
It is an extract from the berries of the rose myrtle shrub, used in skin care as a conditioning and antioxidant ingredient.
Is it a sunscreen filter?
No. It is a supporting botanical extract and does not provide UV filtering on its own.