Library
All Topics
Cornflower hydrosol
Commonly known as:
Cornflower hydrosol, Cornflower water, Cornflower water extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water (INCI), Blue knapweed, Bachelor's button, Bluebottle water, Hurtsickle water.
Botanical name:
Centaurea cyanus L.
Extraction process:
Steam distillation of organic dried flowering tops.
Family:
Asteraceae.
Part of the plant extracted:
Flowers.
Location:
Native to Northern Europe. Also found in North America.
Flowering:
Annual, from May to September.
Provenance, origin:
Mainland France.
Phytochemical composition:
Anthocyanins, protocyanins, flavonoids (flavone, quercetin, rutin), polysaccharides (galacturonic acid, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, galactose), couramines, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, phenoxycarboxylic acid, indole alkaloids.
Sensorial properties:
Appearance: Clear liquid; Colour: Colourless; Scent: Herbaceous, slightly lemony.
Physical characteristics:
Density: 0.950-1.050g/ cm3; pH: 3.0-5.0; Soluble in water.
Benefits:
Soothes, refreshes, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, decongestant.
Concerns:
All skin typologies, especially dry, sensitive and reactive skin. Recommended for tired eyes, and swollen and irritated eyelids.
Details
Use
Face care (lotions, masks, serums, creams, make-up removers, eye contour care);
Body care (body milks, shower gels, after-sun care);
Make-up (foundations, concealers, mascaras, blushes, eyeshadows, face powders).
Preservation
Store at a temperature below 4°C, away from light, heat and humidity.
Contra-Indications and Precautions
Cornflower hydrosol has no particular contraindications.
Find out more
The Greek legend tells that the nymph Chloris, charmed by the bucolic poetry of the young Cyanos, would have transformed him into a cornflower so that the memory of this nature lover lives forever. The cornflower is also a symbolic flower in France. It represents the Armistice of November 11, 1918 and the poilus, veterans of the 1st World War.
