FSS Fennel Extract AQ PET

INCI: AquA & Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract & 1.0% Phenoxyethanol

Use Levels: 1.0% - 10.0%

Solubility: Water Soluble

Appearance: Colorless to Light Green Liquid
pH (as is @25°C): 4.50 - 6.50

Fennel is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves that has followed civilization especially in areas where the Romans had colonized and now may be found growing wild in many parts of the world. Fennel is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses that was once used as one of the primary ingredients of absinthe. 

The medicinal benefits of fennel are well recognized by practitioners of herbal medicine. Well documented properties of fennel include anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, expectorant and anti-spasmodic. Fennel helps to regulate energy to the spleen, stomach, liver and kidneys and can be used topically for joint inflammation. Fennel is known for its ability to stimulate estrogen receptors. Estrogenic compounds have significant, well-known cosmetic benefits. Estrogenic materials help to maintain firm skin tone as well as reverse androgen-mediated conditions such as excess sebum production or premature hair loss. 

As with all metabolically active plant tissues, the fruit (seeds) of Foeniculum vulgare, contain kaempferol and quercitin, flavonoids responsible for antioxidant activity. Most important are the oxido-reductases present such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nonspecific peroxidases. Unlike traditional antioxidants, enzymatic antioxidants are not consumed in the process of neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Almost all biological stress is translated into oxidative damage, with the skin this presents itself as erythema. Traditionally most cosmetics have focused on combatting the threat presented by the superoxide anion. Most people fail to recognize that the superoxide anion is transformed into hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is the most dangerous of the ROS, because it can affect cells in so many ways. Hydrogen peroxide can react with lipids to form self-propagating lipid peroxides. It can inactivate sulfhydryl-containing enzymes. Finally, hydrogen peroxide can react with oxygen to form hydroxyl radicals. FSS Fennel Extract AQ PET has been standardized to contain a minimum of 200μM/g of peroxidase.

Effectively, peroxidase transforms hydrogen peroxide to water, completely eliminating the threat of oxidative damage. FSS Fennel Extract AQ PET can help protect hair or skin from the detrimental effect of the environment. In hair care applications, FSS Fennel Extract AQ PET can also be used to scavenge residual peroxide left after bleaching or dyeing. 

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

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