FSS Arnica Extract PF

INCI: Algae Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Use Levels: 1.0% - 10.0%

Solubility: Water Soluble 

Appearance: Clear to Hazy, Yellow to Amber Liquid
pH: 4.0 - 5.5

We love the outdoors, and many of us enjoy sun bathing in the summer or skiing in the winter, however these activities wreak havoc on our skin. Sun damage may cause redness, inflammation, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, while cold temperatures will often cause our skin to become dry, cracked and irritated. Although there is a large consumer focus on protecting our faces from such damages, we often forget and even neglect the rest of our body. As a result in the winter months, our hands may become dry, irritated and cracked from repeated exposure to cold temperatures, while our shoulders become freckled from repeated sunburns during the summer months. Through our normal routines we often also accidentally bruise or cut our skin, which may lead to inflammation and scarring. Using products that contain extracts of Arnica montana may help alleviate the symptoms and prevent the appearances of such damage to our bodies.

The word ‘arnica’ comes from the Greek ‘arnakis’ meaning ‘lamb’s coat’ and refers to the felt-like sepals covered in soft hairs that surround the flower. Arnica montana also known as Leopard’s Bane, Wolf’s Bane and Mountain Tobacco is an herbaceous perennial that grows from mountains to alpine meadows and pastures and in light forests up to the alpine level. A native plant on the European continent and in Siberia, Arnica has been used extensively in European folk medicine and is becoming rare largely due to increasingly intensive agriculture. Arnica grows 1 to 2 feet tall with green oval leaves and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear from May to August.

Arnica has been used for its medicinal properties since the 1500s and remains popular today. For this reason, Arnica is listed in the European Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for swelling and skin bruises. It is often the first remedy used for injuries such as sprains and bruises. As a result of its vulnerary (increase wound healing) and anti-inflammatory properties, Arnica has been used topically for a wide range of conditions, including muscles aches, superficial phlebitis, rheumatic pain, inflammation from insect bites and swelling due to fractures. Arnica also increases local blood supply to accelerate healing and hastens the rate of re-absorption of exuded blood in cases of internal bleeding and hemorrhage. Herbal remedies of Arnica also increases the rate of healing in the body following a surgical procedure.

Some of the chemical constituents of Arnica that contribute to its vulnerary and anti-inflammatory properties include sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, thymol, mucilage and arnicin. Generally, the plant is now taken only as a homeopathic remedy for shock, injury or pain. The whole plant, harvested when in flower, is used in homeopathic remedies. Interestingly, the homeopathic dose has been used effectively in the treatment of epilepsy and seasickness and it might be of use as a hair growth stimulant.

FSS Arnica Extract PF may be useful in skin care formulations that are intended to reduce epidermal inflammation and irritation, along with contusions, sun burns and products designated for alleviating other irritations such as insect bites. In-vivo analysis was used to substantiate both anti-irritancy and anti-inflammatory claims of FSS Arnica Extract PF. Please request the In-vivo test from us.

The results suggest that FSS Arnica Extract PF exhibits good skin penetration, and effectively reduces both epidermal irritation and redness. FSS Arnica Extract PF can be used in hand creams and lotions that are intended to protect the hands by preventing and reducing skin irritation. The product may also be useful in cosmeceuticals that are intended to reduce the appearance of scars, contusions, and other minor skin irritations including both eczema and insect bites.

Storage: Protected from direct light and humidity at a temperature of 50°-77°F (10°-25°C) 

Shelf life: 12 months, properly stored, in sealed container. 

This product should be added to a formulation at the recommended usage rated.