What it is
Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract is derived from the herb Saxifraga stolonifera (also classified as Saxifraga sarmentosa), a perennial plant native to China, Japan, and Korea. The extract contains flavonoids including quercetin and baicalin, as well as phenolic compounds, organic acids, and natural sugars. In cosmetics, it functions primarily as a skin conditioner and antioxidant, with research indicating it may inhibit Toll-like receptor 2-mediated inflammatory response in human keratinocytes. Its astringent properties help temporarily tighten skin and reduce excess oil. Studies have investigated its skin-whitening potential via melanin inhibition, making it popular in brightening formulations. The ingredient appears across a broad range of product types including serums, face washes, sunscreens, and masks.
Safety & warnings
Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract scores 1 (low concern) on the EWG Skin Deep database. The safety of this ingredient has not been formally reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel as of 2026. No well-documented allergenicity or comedogenicity concerns have been identified. As a botanical extract, individuals with known plant allergies, particularly to the Saxifragaceae family, should exercise caution. The ingredient is listed as COSMOS/ECOCERT-compatible in commercial formulations.
Origin & sourcing
Obtained from the whole herb of Saxifraga stolonifera (family Saxifragaceae), a stoloniferous perennial plant native to forests, meadows, and rocky terrain in China, Japan, and Korea at elevations of 400–4,500 meters. The plant is identified by its distinctive rounded dark-green leaves with silver veining and red undersides, and spreads via thread-like red stolons. The extract is typically prepared by solvent extraction of the plant material, often delivered in a butylene glycol and water base.
History
Saxifraga stolonifera has a long history of use in traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal medicine, where the foliage was used both culinarily and as a folk remedy. The plant, known in Japanese traditional medicine, gained regulatory recognition in Japan as a quasi-drug ingredient. It is listed in the EU CosIng database under the function of skin conditioning. More recently, research has explored its active flavonoid constituents for skin-whitening and anti-inflammatory applications in modern cosmetic formulations.
Questions everyone asks
What is Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract and where does it come from?
It is a plant extract derived from the strawberry begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera), a perennial herb native to China, Japan, and Korea. Also known by its synonym Saxifraga sarmentosa extract, it has a traditional history in East Asian herbal medicine and is now used as a cosmetic skin-conditioning in
What does Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract do in skincare?
It primarily functions as a skin conditioner and antioxidant. Its flavonoid compounds, including quercetin, contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also has mild astringent properties that help tone skin, and research has explored its potential to inhibit melanin production for brig
Is Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract safe to use in cosmetics?
It is considered low concern by the EWG Skin Deep database (score 1). It has not been formally reviewed by the CIR Expert Panel, but is approved for use in cosmetics in the EU (listed in CosIng) and Japan.
What is the difference between Saxifraga Stolonifera Extract and Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract?
They refer to the same ingredient from the same plant. Saxifraga sarmentosa is an older taxonomic synonym for Saxifraga stolonifera. Both names appear in ingredient lists and regulatory databases, and the EWG Skin Deep database lists them together under a single entry.