What it is
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is derived from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis, a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The root is rich in flavonoids, with baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin among the major isolated compounds, and these polyphenols are the basis for the extract's use as an antioxidant in cosmetic formulas. In sunscreens and other leave-on products it is typically included at low levels to support a soothing, conditioned feel rather than as an active functional ingredient.
Safety & warnings
As a topical cosmetic ingredient the root extract is generally well tolerated at the low concentrations used in skincare. As with any botanical extract, individuals with known plant or fragrance sensitivities may wish to patch test, since complex plant extracts can occasionally provoke contact reactions. Reports of liver injury linked to Scutellaria baicalensis relate to oral herbal and dietary supplements, not to topical cosmetic use.
Origin & sourcing
It is a botanical extract obtained from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, a plant native to China, Korea, Mongolia, and parts of Russia. The dried root is the part traditionally used, and it is processed into a solvent or water-based extract that concentrates the root's flavonoids such as baicalin and baicalein for use in cosmetics.
History
Scutellaria baicalensis has a long record in traditional Chinese medicine, where the dried root is known as huangqin and is counted among the 50 fundamental herbs. Modern phytochemical study identified its principal flavonoids, including baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and oroxylin A, which underpin contemporary interest in the root extract as a cosmetic antioxidant.
Questions everyone asks
Is Scutellaria baicalensis root extract a sunscreen filter?
No. It does not absorb or reflect UV light. It is a botanical extract included for its antioxidant flavonoids and soothing, skin-conditioning role in the formula.
What plant does it come from?
It is extracted from the root of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), a mint-family plant native to China, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia, known in traditional Chinese medicine as huangqin.
What does it do in a sunscreen?
The root is rich in flavonoids such as baicalin and baicalein, which act as antioxidants, and the extract contributes a soothing, conditioned feel to leave-on products.