Soothing ingredient
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
An extract of the leaves, roots, and stems of Piper methysticum (kava), containing kavalactones including kavain, methysticin, and yangonin; used as a skin-conditioning agent at trace concentrations, with unresolved topical safety data per the CIR Expert Panel.
Also known as: kava extract, kava kava extract, piper methysticum extract
skin-conditioningsoothingmoisturizing
Benefits
- ✓Kavalactones (kavain, methysticin, yangonin) contribute mild soothing properties
- ✓Skin-conditioning agent that can help reduce moisture evaporation
- ✓Used at very low concentrations (0.0001–0.1%) in cosmetic formulas
Watch for
- ⚠CIR Expert Panel (2009) found data insufficient to support safety in cosmetics as used — use caution
- ⚠Oral kava consumption is associated with hepatotoxicity; dermal absorption and liver risk from topical use is unresolved
- ⚠Chronic high-dose oral intake causes kava dermopathy (scaly, ichthyosiform skin rash)
- ⚠Potential skin sensitizer — patch testing recommended for sensitive skin
- ⚠FDA 2002 consumer advisory warns about liver damage risk from kava ingestion
