Intelligence · Ingredients

The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.

Hypericum Perforatum Extract

aka st john's wort extract · hypericum extract · hyperici herba extractum

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
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.

Clean beauty perception

Accepted in natural and clean beauty for rinse-off applications. Photosensitisation risk for leave-on use is not consistently communicated.