Supercritical Calendula extract, power-pack for cosmetic application

The flowering heads of Calendula officinalis, herb of the year 2009 and commonly known as marigold provide a powerful cocktail of active ingredients for cosmetic application.

Modern analysis shows that the supercritical calendula extract contains about 20% faradiol monoesters which represent the actual anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous components and therefore should be taken for standardisation and quality control of calendula preparations. Their effect is supported by further diterpene monools, especially taraxasterols and amyrins which represent another 20% of the product.

The supercritical calendula extract is in addition rich source of phytosterols, mainly stigmasterol, sitosterol, fucosterol and lanosterol which together make up 12% of the product. Phytosterols are well known for their photo-protecting, anti-aging and wound healing properties. Finally the extract contains carotenoids which provide scavenging activity against free radicals. This perfect blend of bioactive components makes the supercritical calendula extract as an ideal ingredient for natural cosmetics with protective and restorative efficacy, effective already in low concentration.