Baobab extract appears in the ingredient lists of eye-area and firming products under the name Adansonia digitata. Seeing it on a label does not tell you what it does on the skin; this is why the limits of the evidence matter.
In short: Baobab extract is a plant extract made from the fruit pulp or leaves of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), which grows in Africa. A food chemistry study identified sugars, amino acids, phenolic compounds and fatty acids in the fruit pulp and leaves. Our sources contain no human study testing the effect of baobab extract on the skin. In Power De-Puff Girls, baobab extract is one of the featured ingredients, alongside caffeine; in Firm Baby Firm it is a supporting ingredient.
| INCI name | Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract (baobab fruit pulp extract) |
|---|---|
| State of the evidence | Its composition has been characterised; our sources contain no human study testing its effect on the skin |
| How it differs from baobab oil | The oil is obtained from the seed and is listed under a different name on the label |
| At s'hevec | Power De-Puff Girls (featured ingredient); Firm Baby Firm (supporting ingredient) |
What is baobab extract?
Baobab extract is an extract made from the fruit pulp or leaves of the baobab tree. Its composition varies with the part of the plant used and the method of preparation; the end of the name in the ingredient list tells you which part was used. In s'hevec formulas, “Pulp Extract” means fruit pulp extract.
What does baobab extract contain?
The study in our source list analysed powdered baobab fruit pulp and leaf extracts using chromatography and NMR methods:
- Water-soluble components: sugars, amino acids, organic acids and phenolic compounds.
- Fat-soluble components: triglycerides, sterols and fatty acids.
The authors point to possible uses of the fruit and leaves in food, medicine and cosmetics; however, the study is a food chemistry study and does not test application to the skin.
What does baobab extract do for the skin?
Our sources contain no human study examining the effect of baobab extract on the skin; for this reason, we do not attribute a skin result to it. The fact that a compound is present in a plant does not show that the plant's extract will do the same job on the skin.
A review of cosmetic ingredient claims stresses that appearance claims are often built around a story, and that what is actually true needs to be questioned separately. The right way to read baobab extract is as a plant-derived component of the formula.
Are baobab extract and baobab oil the same thing?
No. Baobab oil is obtained from the seed and appears in the ingredient list as a seed oil; baobab extract is an extract made from the fruit pulp or leaves. Because extracts also contain fat-soluble components, the distinction is made by the name on the label. s'hevec formulas contain fruit pulp extract, not baobab oil.
Which s'hevec products contain baobab extract?
| Product | Role of baobab extract | Other featured ingredient in the formula | Designed for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power De-Puff Girls | Featured ingredient | Caffeine | The look of under-eye puffiness and tiredness |
| Firm Baby Firm | Supporting ingredient | 4% Argireline™ + 3% Matrixyl™ 3000 | The look of fine lines and wrinkles |
Power De-Puff Girls Eye Serum contains baobab extract as a featured ingredient alongside caffeine; for the part of the formula aimed at the look of puffiness, our sources point to caffeine (what caffeine does in skincare). The serum's application steps and how long it can be used after opening are in our guide how to use a caffeine eye serum.
Firm Baby Firm Firming Peptide Cream contains baobab extract as one of its supporting ingredients, alongside 8D hyaluronic acid and panthenol. Both products can be found in our collection for fine lines and eye-area care.
Does baobab extract have side effects, and who should be careful?
Our sources contain no data on side effects or tolerance of baobab extract on the skin; for this reason, we make no tolerance claim. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that products with plant-based ingredients can also contain fragrance-related components, and that an ingredient can trigger a reaction that shows up as redness, itching and swelling.
- If you are sensitive to plant extracts: try the product on a small area before moving on to the face or eye area; the steps the AAD recommends are explained in our guide how to do a patch test at home.
- If a reaction occurs: gently wash the product off and do not use it again; if the reaction is severe and does not go away, see your doctor.
- Around the eyes: do not let the product get into the eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not apply to irritated skin.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or an ongoing skin problem: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use. If you have irritation or dryness around the eyes that does not go away, see your doctor as well.
Frequently asked questions
What does Adansonia digitata mean?
It is the Latin scientific name of the baobab tree; in ingredient lists, baobab extract appears under this name.
Does baobab extract help with the look of dark circles?
Our sources contain no study examining the effect of baobab extract on the look of dark circles. The look of dark circles has more than one cause.
Is baobab extract used on its own?
In the s'hevec range, baobab extract is only ever one part of a formula; how and how often it is used is determined by the product it is in.
Which skin types is baobab extract suitable for?
Suitability is determined at product level: the skin types recommended on the labels of both products are dry and normal skin.
Sources
- Tsetegho Sokeng AJ et al. Metabolite characterization of powdered fruits and leaves from Adansonia digitata L. (baobab): A multi-methodological approach. Food Chem. 2019.
- Draelos ZD. Cosmeceuticals: What's Real, What's Not. Dermatol Clin. 2019.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). How to test skin care products.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
