What is "Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Extract" and what is its utility?

Cotton is the plant fiber that encloses the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub belonging to the Malvaceae family. This fiber is composed of cellulose, which is subsequently transformed into thread to manufacture fabric. The cotton plant is a shrub primarily cultivated in arid tropical and/or subtropical regions. It can reach a height of 10 meters if its exposure to the sun is optimal.

There are several species and varieties of cotton:

• TheGossypium arboreumand theGossypium herbaceum, are the most common species with short fibers used in cosmetics;

• TheGossypium barbadense, a variety originally from Peru but introduced in Egypt and cultivated worldwide. It is valued for the length and quality of its fibers;

• TheGossypium hirsutumwhich traces its origins back to South America.

In cosmetics, cotton is used in three main forms:vegetable oil (Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil), thecellular extract or native plant cells (Gossypium Arboreum Leaf Cell Extract), and the plant extract (Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Extract) which is the subject of this article.

The extract of the seed of the cotton plant is obtained by soaking the seeds in water and glycerin followed by a microwave extraction, a filtration, an adjustment of the pH with a solution of potassium sorbate (potassium salt of sorbic acid) and finally a filtration.

Of a deep yellow color, cottonseed extract is a nutrient-rich ingredient, primarily abundant in fatty acids and flavonoids. It also contains glycosides, steroids, saponins, resins, carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds, as well as tannins. This plant-based ingredient is water-soluble, or soluble in water.

Suitable for all skin types, the plant extract of cotton is primarily recognized for its softening, soothing, supple-making, and regenerative properties.