Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Extract

Cichorium intybus root extract is a moisturizing humectant extract obtained from the roots of chicory, Cichorium intybus. These roots, when roasted and ground, can be used as a coffee replacement, popular mainly in Eastern Europe.

Chicory root contains large amounts of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides made out of fructose units (in comparison, starch and pectin are made out of glucose units). This gives them a different set of properties – according to a study on 50 volunteers, they are able to prevent transepidermal water loss and restore the barrier function of the skin.

Moreover, it was also found that chicory oligofructans have the ability to mimic the function of vitamin D in the skin, which makes them a suitable ingredient for sunscreens.