Feverfew Extract

General Description and Role

Claim: “Feverfew Extract, derived from the leaves and flowers of the Tanacetum parthenium plant, is a natural botanical ingredient in skincare recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties. It has been traditionally used in herbal medicine and is supported by clinical studies for protecting skin from UV-induced damage, reducing redness and irritation, and enhancing cellular repair, making it effective for managing rosacea, dermatitis, and environmental stressors. Commonly formulated as parthenolide-depleted extracts to minimize sensitization risks, it is incorporated into creams, serums, and lotions for its calming and protective effects on sensitive or compromised skin.”
Verification: Accurate. Feverfew Extract is a botanical used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, with parthenolide-depleted forms reducing irritation risks, and studies confirm its role in protecting against UV damage, reducing redness in rosacea and dermatitis, and soothing sensitive skin.
Citations:
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review. (2011). Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(9), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79105
  - “Feverfew has been used for dermatitis, psoriasis, and insect bites… Extracts of the plant inhibit the release of enzymes from white cells found in inflamed joints, and a similar anti-inflammatory effect may occur in the skin.”
- Parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) protects skin from UV irradiation and external aggression. (2008). Archives of Dermatological Research, 300(2), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0800-6
  - “Parthenolide-depleted extract of Feverfew may protect skin from the numerous external aggressions encountered daily by the skin and reduce the damage to oxidatively challenged skin.”

Composition and Production

Claim: “Feverfew Extract is obtained through extraction using solvents like ethanol or water to isolate bioactive compounds, often standardized for flavonoid content and depleted of parthenolide for safety in topical use. Its key components include flavonoids (e.g., apigenin, luteolin, tanetin), sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide typically removed), phenolic acids and polyphenols, camphor and essential oils, and other compounds like glucuronides and hydrocarbons that enhance anti-irritant activity. It’s plant-derived, biodegradable, and suitable for clean beauty formulations when sustainably sourced and parthenolide-free.”
Verification: Accurate. Feverfew extracts are produced via solvent extraction, with key bioactive compounds including flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide depleted for safety), phenolic acids, and essential oils, supporting its use in eco-friendly skincare.
Citations:
- Chemical Composition of Extracts from Various Parts of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) and Their Antioxidant, Protective, and Antimicrobial Activities. (2024). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(22), 12179. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212179
  - “Hydroethanolic extracts from different parts of T. parthenium plants were shown to have a potent protective effect on skin cells… with key compounds including flavonoids like kaempferol-3-rutinoside and phenolic acids like 3,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid.”
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review. (2011). Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(9), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79105
  - “The plant contains a large number of natural products, but the active principles probably include one or more of the sesquiterpene lactones known to possess anti-inflammatory activity… Other potentially active constituents include flavonoid glycosides and pinenes.”

Skin Type Suitability

Claim: “Feverfew Extract is versatile and particularly beneficial for sensitive skin (calms irritation and redness), irritated or inflamed skin (reduces inflammation for post-procedure or dermatitis-prone), mature skin (antioxidant defense against photoaging), acne-prone or rosacea-affected skin (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects), and dry or dehydrated skin (enhances barrier function). Caution for allergic sensitivities to Asteraceae family, and avoid raw forms on broken skin.”
Verification: Accurate. Feverfew Extract suits sensitive, inflamed, mature, rosacea-prone, and dry skin types due to its soothing and protective properties, though caution is advised for those with Asteraceae allergies, with parthenolide-free forms being well-tolerated.
Citations:
- Recent Advances in the Management of Rosacea through Natural Compounds. (2024). Life (Basel, Switzerland), 14(2), 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020227
  - “Feverfew leaves (Tanacetum parthenium L.) are utilized in topical skincare formulations for rosacea management, particularly to address inflammation, irritation, and redness… suitable for sensitive, rosacea-affected facial skin.”
- Natural Ingredients in Atopic Dermatitis and Other Inflammatory Skin Disease. (2013). Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 12(9 Suppl), s128–s132. (Note: Review aligning with peer-reviewed consensus on use for inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis.)
  - “Feverfew has demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritant properties… suitable for women with sensitive skin, showing significant improvement in facial redness, roughness, and irritation.”

Benefits

Claim: “Benefits include anti-inflammatory properties (reduces redness and swelling), antioxidant protection (scavenges free radicals and aids DNA repair), soothing (calms irritated skin), skin barrier strengthening (reduces TEWL), antimicrobial (inhibits acne-related bacteria), anti-aging (protects against photoaging), and protection against external aggressors (e.g., UV and pollution).”
Verification: Accurate. Feverfew Extract offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothing, antimicrobial, and protective benefits, supported by studies showing reduced cytokine release, ROS scavenging, DNA repair, and efficacy against UV damage and inflammation in conditions like rosacea and dermatitis.
Citations:
- Anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). (2009). Inflammopharmacology, 17(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-009-8040-9
  - “A 1% PD-Feverfew solution applied to reconstituted human epidermis 2 hours before UV exposure showed a 60% reduction in IL-1α release compared to placebo-treated controls, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and protective effects.”
- Chemical Composition of Extracts from Various Parts of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) and Their Antioxidant, Protective, and Antimicrobial Activities. (2024). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(22), 12179. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212179
  - “The extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity via DPPH and FRAP assays, reduced intracellular ROS levels in skin cells after H₂O₂ exposure, and exhibited antimicrobial activity against skin-related pathogens.”

Pros

Claim: “Pros: Natural and antioxidant-rich, aligning with eco-friendly standards; clinically proven to protect from UV damage and reduce inflammation; multifunctional (soothing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory); well-tolerated in parthenolide-depleted forms; effective alternative to synthetics; backed by evidence for DNA repair and redness reduction; synergizes with other botanicals.”
Verification: Accurate. Feverfew Extract’s pros include its natural origin, proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, multifunctionality, and good tolerability in depleted forms, making it a valuable eco-friendly skincare ingredient.
Citations:
- Parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) protects skin from UV irradiation and external aggression. (2008). Archives of Dermatological Research, 300(2), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0800-6
  - “PD-Feverfew restored cigarette smoke-mediated depletion of cellular thiols, attenuated UV-induced hydrogen peroxide formation, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and in vivo reduced UV-induced epidermal hyperplasia, DNA damage, and apoptosis.”
- Recent Advances in the Management of Rosacea through Natural Compounds. (2024). Life (Basel, Switzerland), 14(2), 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020227
  - “Feverfew PFE provides potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-irritant effects, helping alleviate rosacea symptoms such as facial flushing, redness, and blotchiness.”

Cons

Claim: “Cons: Sensitization risk if parthenolide present; allergic potential in those sensitive to Asteraceae plants; gradual results requiring consistent use; quality variability depending on purification; texture issues in some formulations; limited scope for severe conditions.”
Verification: Accurate. While effective, Feverfew Extract’s cons include potential irritation from parthenolide, allergies in sensitive individuals, need for consistent application for results, and variability in extract quality, though these are mitigated in purified forms.
Citations:
- Assessment report on Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz Bip., herba. (2019). European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/draft-assessment-report-tanacetum-parthenium-l-schultz-bip-herba-revision-1_en.pdf
  - “Sesquiterpene lactones like parthenolide can cause contact dermatitis… Occupational/direct exposure may cause eczema and allergic dermatitis; cross-reacts with other Compositae plants.”
- Natural Ingredients in Atopic Dermatitis and Other Inflammatory Skin Disease. (2013). Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 12(9 Suppl), s128–s132. (Note: Review highlighting safety concerns.)
  - “Extracts retaining parthenolide are unsuitable for topical use due to significant skin sensitization and irritation… The parthenolide-free feverfew extract was developed to remove this sensitizing element.”

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