What is "Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Leaf Extract" and what is its utility?

There are over 600 varieties of strawberry , the most well-known of which is the gariguette (accounting for 20% of global production). All belong to the Rosaceae family. The extract of strawberry leaves comes from a variety known as wild strawberry, woodland strawberry, or indigenous strawberry. Originally from Asia (China and Turkey) and North America, it can also be found in Europe, particularly in France.

The acquisition process involves a solid/liquid extraction carried out from crushed strawberry leaves in a hydro-ethanolic mixture. The filtrate is then dried by atomisation.

From an organoleptic perspective, the extract of strawberry leaves appears as a fine brown powder. Its recommended percentage in skincare is 0.5%; this powder is soluble in the aqueous phase. In terms of its composition, the extract of strawberry leaves contains antioxidant substances such as flavonoids (quercetin), tannins, and polyphenols.

The extract of strawberry leaves is beneficial for all skin types. Here are the main virtues of this plant-based active ingredient on the epidermis.

• Its richness in polyphenols allows it toimprove the complexion by toning the skin's micro-vessels , thus contributing to better cellular oxygenation. The skin appears regenerated and fresher. It is therefore an excellent active ingredient for mature skin.

• The presence of these polyphenols also endows it with antioxidant properties, thus helping to combat the damage that UVA rays can induce (generation of free radicals). In a recent study, researchers evaluated the potential photoprotective capacity of various strawberry-based formulations, enriched with coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles and with a sun protection factor of 10 (SPF10), on human dermal fibroblasts (HuDe) exposed to UVA radiation. They confirmed that strawberries are a very rich source of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and vitamins, and possess a high total antioxidant capacity. They also demonstrated that strawberry extracts (25 μg/mL) exert notable photoprotection in HuDe, increasing cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and that these effects are potentiated by the presence of coenzyme Q10.

  They concluded that the topical use of a strawberry extract can provide good photoprotection, although further studies are strongly encouraged to assess the cellular and molecular effects.

• It also allows torefine the skin texture through an astringent effect by reducing the diameter of the pores due to the presence of tannins. It is therefore coveted by blemished skin and/or with a tendency to be oily.

• Finally, strawberry extract also helps tobrighten and even out the skin tone due to its anti-tyrosinase properties. To remind, tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in the formation of melanin, a pigment that gives the colour to an individual's skin, hair, and body hair. Research has shown that ellagic acid can interrupt the pathway leading to visible changes in skin colour, including brown spots. In this sense, it is an excellent ingredient to combine with complexion-enhancing products, such as vitamin C, niacinamide and arbutin. The extract of strawberry leaves is therefore particularly coveted by mature skin, which is generally prone to solar lentigines.

On the hair, strawberry leaf extract strengthens the hair fibre and aids it in better resisting external aggressions (dryness, heat, harsh treatments...).