Cosmetic ingredient

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT is an extract obtained from the leaves of Thuja occidentalis L., a conifer in the Cupressaceae family. On an ingredient list, it may also be understood as thuja leaf extract; the name identifies the plant part used rather than one isolated molecule with a fixed composition.

INCITH1 products
CAS number
90131-58-1
EC number
290-370-1

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT: what it is

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT is an extract obtained from the leaves of Thuja occidentalis L., a conifer in the Cupressaceae family. On an ingredient list, it may also be understood as thuja leaf extract; the name identifies the plant part used rather than one isolated molecule with a fixed composition.

A leaf extract is not the same material as a leaf oil. A study of essential oil distilled from the leaves found that its chemical profile changed with distillation time, so measurements or percentages from that oil do not automatically describe a leaf extract used in a different product.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT: what it does in cosmetics

In cosmetics, thuja leaf extract may be included for scent and for skin or hair conditioning. In everyday terms, conditioning means helping the surface feel more pleasant and helping hair feel easier to handle or comb; it does not turn the ingredient into a hair treatment.

Its antioxidant role concerns helping limit oxidation-related changes in the preparation. Thuja also appears in cosmetic uses associated with bleaching, but there is no clinical demonstration here that the isolated extract lightens spots or treats any condition; studies of leaf essential oil do not provide that proof for the extract.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT: conditions and care

Under the European Union condition linked to Thuja Occidentalis Oil and Extract, the substance must have a peroxide value below 10 mmol/L. This limit applies to the raw substance, not to the finished cosmetic product.

Use limits

Restrictions and conditions of use

Cosmetic restriction
III/119
Catalogue presence

Products containing this ingredient

See which products include it and the name used in each composition.