botanical
Knotgrass Extract
A botanical extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties used in colour cosmetics. The avicularin (flavonol glycoside) content provides the mechanism for skin-comfort claims in soothing concealers.
Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory via avicularin and quercetin content
- Antioxidant activity
- Mild astringent via tannin content
- Skin soothing in colour cosmetic context
- Polyphenol-rich botanical
Example uses
- Concealer formulas with soothing claims
- Foundation bases
- Sensitive skin colour cosmetics
- Anti-redness tinted products
- Soothing primers
Mechanism of action
Avicularin (quercetin-3-arabinoside) and free quercetin inhibit COX-2 and LOX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Tannins contribute astringent activity via protein precipitation on the skin surface, reducing redness by temporary vasoconstriction. Quercetin may also inhibit histamine release from mast cells.
Clinical evidence · Emerging
In vitro enzyme inhibition studies for avicularin and quercetin. Limited cosmetic-specific clinical data. Mechanism extrapolated from quercetin literature.
Effective concentration range
0.1–1%
Formulation notes
Aqueous or hydroalcoholic extract. Quercetin content oxidation-sensitive — antioxidant pairing recommended. Tannin content may cause transient staining in very high concentrations.
Watchouts
Evidence base is primarily in vitro. Clinical evidence specifically for knotgrass as a cosmetic active is very limited. Botanical anti-inflammatory narrative in colour cosmetics may overstate functional benefit at typical make-up extract concentrations.
Stacks with
Market positioning
Sold as botanical soothing complex in colour cosmetics. Anti-inflammatory mechanism is credible but clinical benefit at colour cosmetic extract concentrations is not well-established.
Comedogenicity
0 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Low
INCI & aliases
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
polygonum aviculare extract · common knotgrass extract
Clean beauty perception
Broadly accepted in clean beauty as botanical soothing ingredient. Less well-known consumer recognition than chamomile or centella.
Related ingredients
Graph relationships
Timeline