Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract

Plant extract taken from the bark of the Magnolia officinalis tree

Contains unique soothing compounds

Helps mitigate environmental damage, including discolorations

Can be used as a part of a natural cosmetics preservative blend

Magnolia officinalis bark extract is a plant-derived skin care ingredient that comes from the bark of the flowering magnolia tree (Magnolia officinalis). This plant extract is native to Asia and is a staple in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.

Magnolia officinalis bark extract contains soothing polyphenolic neolignans, magnolol and honokiol, that help calm while simultaneously assisting in mitigating the pro-aging damage that outside aggressors, like UV rays and pollution, can have on skin. It also helps to contribute to a plump skin appearance.

When fermented with the fungus Aspergillus niger, Magnolia officinalis bark extract demonstrated greater antioxidant benefits and exhibited the ability to help even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

This ingredient can also serve as part of a natural preservative blend due to its ability to help thwart the growth of microorganisms in skin care products.

A report noted that Magnolia officinalis bark extract can cause skin sensitization on some when applied topically in percentages between 0.05 and 0.5%, however the exact reason why is not currently known. On balance, it has far more benefits than risks for skin.

Suppliers recommend using a 0.2% concentration of Magnolia officinalis bark extract for preservation purposes in combination with other preservatives and a 0.05% concentration for anti-aging purposes.