Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea) Flower Extract

Clitoria ternatea is a perennial herb more commonly known as butterfly pea because of the pea-shaped, wing-like flowers it produces. All parts of this plant have benefit for skin, making it an interesting natural ingredient to consider.

The root portion of this plant contains numerous compounds that have been shown to calm skin and visibly reduce redness from external irritants. All parts of the plant can increase the presence of the body’s “master antioxidant”, glutathione, as well as act as an antioxidant itself.

Of note, Clitoria ternatea is a source of skin-beneficial quercetin and anthocyanins. The flower extract from butterfly pea has been shown in studies to also have anti-glycation properties. This is important for younger-looking skin, because by-products from glycation (a process in which rogue sugar molecules break down proteins in the body) can lead to collagen loss, resulting in wrinkles becoming more prominent and firmness decreasing.

Butterfly pea (also known as “blue matcha”) is native to regions in Asia but is also found in Africa, America, and Australia. Its richly colored flowers produce a noticeable hue in extract form ranging from lavender to deep blue. Concentration levels for this plant extract haven’t been firmly established; however, it takes very little to impart color, and the pigment is the rich source of antioxidant pigments known as anthocyanins.

Note: The flowers of this plant do not contain aromatic compounds known to irritate skin.