Persicaria Hydropiper Extract

Also known as: Water Pepper Extract

INCI: Persicaria Hydropiper Extract | Function: Antioxidant, Soothing, Antimicrobial | Type: Plant extract (Polygonaceae family)

What Is Persicaria Hydropiper Extract?

Extract from Persicaria hydropiper (water pepper/smartweed), a plant in the Polygonaceae family traditionally used in Asian medicine. Contains flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, isoquercitrin), polygodial, and tannins with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The plant has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for skin conditions. Research indicates potential for soothing irritated skin and providing antioxidant protection.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Antioxidant protection — flavonoids neutralize free radicals
+ Anti-inflammatory — soothes redness and skin irritation
+ Antimicrobial — polygodial provides natural preservation support
+ Traditional use — long history in Asian herbal medicine for skin

Pros

+ Natural plant-based ingredient with traditional backing
+ Multiple bioactives — flavonoids, tannins, polygodial work synergistically
+ Research-supported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity
+ Suitable for sensitive skin formulations

Cons

− Polygodial can be a skin sensitizer in some individuals
− Limited large-scale clinical studies on cosmetic use
− May cause irritation at high extract concentrations
− Plant source variability — active compound content varies by harvest
− Pungent taste/smell in raw form — requires proper processing

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Body
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Plant
Natural Level	Natural

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	2/5 (moderate — sensitization possible)
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	1/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed — CIR safe as used
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed — follows EU
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed — listed in IECIC

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Soothing serum / cream	0.1–2%
Toner / essence	0.05–1%

References

Fukuyama N et al. (2011) — Antimicrobial polygodial from Persicaria hydropiper. PMID: 21375352
EU CosIng Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Hudson JB et al. — Traditional Asian medicinal plants for skin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
INCIDecoder. https://incidecoder.com/

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