What it is
Kakadu plum is a fruit native to northern Australia that is notable for one of the highest natural vitamin C contents of any fruit, along with ellagic and gallic acids and other polyphenols. The extract is used in cosmetics primarily as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning agent. In sunscreens it is typically added as a supporting botanical to complement the formula rather than to provide UV protection.
Safety & warnings
Botanical fruit extracts of this kind are generally well tolerated, though any plant extract can occasionally provoke sensitivity in individuals reactive to that plant. It is not an oil and is not associated with clogging pores. The extract may contribute a faint natural scent, but it is not a listed fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; an extract of the fruit of Terminalia ferdinandiana, a tree native to Australia.
History
Kakadu plum has long been used as a food by Aboriginal Australian communities and was adopted by the cosmetic industry as interest grew in its high vitamin C and polyphenol content.
Questions everyone asks
What is Kakadu plum extract good for in skin care?
It is used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient, drawing on the fruit's naturally high vitamin C and polyphenol content.
Does Kakadu plum extract provide sun protection?
No. It is included as a supporting antioxidant botanical and does not act as a UV filter.