Black Elderberry

Black elderberry is the common name for a plant taxonomically known as Sambucus nigra that is native to North American and Europe. The fruit of this type of black elderberry has long been used in teas and other medical preparations to treat everything from colds and flus to stomach upsets.

Applied topically, black elderberry has potent anti-ageing properties, specifically thanks to its high antioxidant polyphenol content. These polyphenols also have strong anti-inflammatory properties, making black elderberry useful in skin care preparations designed for sensitive or reddened skin.

The amount of black elderberry used in cosmetics is typically 0.1%, although lower amounts may be used if it’s part of an antioxidant blend.

One interesting note: though black elderberries can be consumed safely when cooked (or otherwise processed), the raw berries are considered toxic.