Viola Tricolor Extract

An astringent, sebum regulating, and antioxidant extract from wild pansy which contains various antioxidant flavonoids, carotenoids, saponins, as well as special cyclical proteins called cyclotides.
Antioxidant
Soothing
Other functions
Origin
Viola Tricolor Extract

What is Viola Tricolor Extract?

Viola Tricolor, commonly known as Wild Pansy or Heartsease, is a delightful European wildflower. Its extract captures the essence of its beneficial properties, presenting a wealth of potential for skincare enthusiasts.

Viola Tricolor prefers temperate climates and is often found in meadows, grasslands, and open areas. The plant is adaptable and can also be found growing in wastelands or areas of disturbed earth.

While the name "Wild Pansy" might suggest that it predominantly grows wild, Viola Tricolor is both wild-grown and cultivated. In the wild, it freely populates European fields, lending splashes of color to the landscape. Simultaneously, due to its recognized benefits, many farms cultivate it under controlled conditions, ensuring a consistent supply for various industries, especially skincare and medicine.

Viola Tricolor is a hardy plant that has a long flowering season. It typically blossoms during the spring and summer months, from May to September. The flowers are distinct, with a combination of purple, yellow, and white colors.

The extraction process for Viola Tricolor begins with handpicking the flowers, usually during morning hours when their phytochemical concentration is optimal. After harvesting, the flowers are dried to preserve their active ingredients.

These dried flowers are then subjected to an extraction process using solvents like water, ethanol, or glycerin. The resulting mixture is filtered and purified to yield a concentrated Viola Tricolor Extract, ready for incorporation into various products.

Viola Tricolor Extract in Skincare

The transition from traditional medicine to skincare wasn't sudden for Viola Tricolor Extract. Its journey is deeply rooted in history.

Historically, Viola Tricolor was an emblem of ancient European medicine, often administered for respiratory issues like bronchitis.

Traditional practitioners would often prescribe it for skin ailments, notably eczema. Alongside its medicinal uses, the flower was also a symbol of love and remembrance, weaving its way into the folklore and legends of many European cultures.

In the modern-day world of skincare, where the convergence of science and nature is the gold standard, Viola Tricolor Extract has secured a special place. It's no surprise given its rich antioxidant, soothing, and astringent capacities.

Viola Tricolor Extract Benefits For Skin

Viola Tricolor Extract, with its rich phytochemical composition, promises a plethora of benefits for the skin. Among these, the following stand out:

  1. Antioxidant: Viola Tricolor Extract, packed with flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, saponins, and special cyclical proteins called cyclotides, neutralizes harmful free radicals, notorious for accelerating the aging process.

  2. Soothing: Given its historical use in treating irritated skin, it's no surprise that Viola Tricolor excels in calming the skin. It's especially beneficial for skin types prone to redness and inflammation. It also has soothing effects on sunburned and irritated skin.

  3. Astringent: Wild pansy (and other species of pansy and violet) have a long tradition of use as skin tonics. The extract proves to be a boon for those struggling with enlarged pores or excess oiliness. Its astringent properties offer a toning effect, promoting a smoother and more refined skin texture.

Is Viola Tricolor Extract Safe for Skin?

Historically and in contemporary practice, Viola Tricolor Extract showcases a positive safety profile. Most users report that it's gentle and non-reactive on the skin.

Science

1
Piana, M., et al. (2013). Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 150(2), 458–465.