What it is
Selaginella lepidophylla is a desiccation-tolerant spikemoss native to the Chihuahuan Desert that can revive after extreme drying, a trait often referenced in marketing of its extract. In cosmetics the extract is used as a humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient, contributing to hydration and a soft skin feel. It is included as a botanical secondary ingredient rather than as a UV filter or active sunscreen component.
Safety & warnings
Botanical extracts of this type are generally well tolerated in cosmetic use. As with any plant extract, sensitization or irritation is possible in individuals sensitive to botanical components, and the finished extract may contain a carrier solvent or preservative that contributes to reactions.
Origin & sourcing
Plant-derived; obtained from the dried fronds of Selaginella lepidophylla, a spikemoss in the Selaginellaceae family, typically prepared as a water or glycol-based extract.
Questions everyone asks
Is Selaginella lepidophylla extract a sunscreen filter?
No. It is a botanical skin-conditioning and humectant ingredient and does not provide UV protection on its own. It appears alongside the actual UV filters in a sunscreen formula.
What is the resurrection plant?
Selaginella lepidophylla is a desert spikemoss that can dry out completely and then rehydrate and turn green again, which is why it is called the resurrection plant or rose of Jericho.