botanical
Hypericum Perforatum Extract
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial botanical used in natural cleansers and skin repair products. Hypericin and hyperforin content drive the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial claims.
Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory — hypericin and hyperforin content
- Antimicrobial against S. aureus and C. acnes
- Antioxidant activity
- Promotes wound healing in damaged skin
- Traditionally used for burns, abrasions, and inflammatory skin conditions
Example uses
- Oil cleansers
- Post-procedure recovery balms
- Wound-healing ointments
- Body oils (rinse-off or night use)
- Anti-inflammatory toners
Mechanism of action
Hyperforin inhibits reuptake of multiple neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) — relevant in oral pharmacology. Topically, hyperforin and hypericin inhibit arachidonic acid cascade enzymes (COX-1, 5-LOX), reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Hypericin generates singlet oxygen under UV illumination, responsible for photosensitisation.
Clinical evidence · Moderate
Multiple clinical trials for topical wound healing and skin repair applications. Photosensitisation mechanism well-characterised. Anti-inflammatory studies support the herbal pharmacopoeia rating for skin application.
Effective concentration range
0.5–2%
Formulation notes
Lipid-soluble hypericin and hyperforin require oil-based or hydroalcoholic extraction. Hypericin is photosensitising — UV-protective packaging required; caution with photosensitisation warning for leave-on products.
Watchouts
Hypericin is a potent photosensitiser — significant photocontact reaction risk in leave-on applications used before sun exposure. This safety concern is underreported in clean-beauty product communication. Not appropriate in daytime leave-on high-concentration applications without SPF.
Stacks with
Conflicts with
Controversies & overclaims
Hypericin photosensitisation creates a meaningful safety risk in leave-on formulations used without sun protection. This risk is frequently omitted from product marketing and is not mitigated by the botanical or natural positioning of the ingredient.
Market positioning
Marketed as calming botanical. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial claims are directionally supported. The photosensitisation risk requires explicit consumer communication and is typically absent from clean-beauty product information.
Comedogenicity
1 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Moderate
INCI & aliases
Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract
st john's wort extract · hypericum extract · hyperici herba extractum
Clean beauty perception
Accepted in natural and clean beauty for rinse-off applications. Photosensitisation risk for leave-on use is not consistently communicated.
Related ingredients
Graph relationships
Timeline