Ingredient Library
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Elderberry is a dark antioxidant berry rich in flavonoids that defend against daily stress and support a brighter look. It suits dull and aging skin.
A natural history
Few plants are wrapped in as much folklore as the elder. A common hedgerow shrub across Europe and the ancient world, it was so full of household uses that a seventeenth century physician called it the medicine chest of the country people. Its creamy flowers and dark berries went into cordials, washes, and remedies for almost everything, earning it a place in nearly every cottage garden.
The tree also carried an air of magic. In Danish folklore it was guarded by a spirit called the Elder Mother, and country people would politely ask her leave before cutting a branch. On the practical side, generations of women washed their faces with elderflower water to keep the complexion clear and soft, a beauty ritual passed down for centuries.
What it does for your skin
Elderberries are deeply colored by anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments that give them their inky hue. Analysis confirms the fruit is rich in antioxidant polyphenols, including the flavonoids rutin and quercetin, with measurable free radical scavenging activity.[1] A study of wild elder found the berries among the highest in anthocyanins, with antioxidant strength tracking those pigments.[2] In a formula elderberry works as an antioxidant rich botanical that helps dull skin look fresh and defended. Its skin specific research is still limited.
References
[1] Dominguez R, et al. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) as potential source of antioxidants. Food Chem. 2020;330:127266. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127266
[2] Mandrone M, et al. Polyphenols pattern and correlation with antioxidant activities of berries extracts from four different populations of Sicilian Sambucus nigra L. Nat Prod Res. 2014;28(16):1246-1253. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.898147
Found in these formulas
Questions, answered
It is an antioxidant-rich berry, full of anthocyanin pigments, used to help defend the look of skin against everyday environmental stress.
The processed cosmetic extract is what is used. Raw elderberries, leaves, and bark are not eaten raw, but that is a culinary note rather than a concern for the topical extract.