What it is
In the register’s words: “Althaea Officinalis Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Marsh Mallow, Althaea officinalis L., Malvaceae.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACT
- CAS number
- 73049-65-7
- EC number
- 277-254-6
- Written on these labels as
- Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract; Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Labels often add a second name in brackets, so a label may say Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract where the register says ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACT. Both are the same ingredient.
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Rinse-out conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
Every label, product by product (3)
- Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner · listed as **Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract 17th of 34 names
- Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 21st of 34 names
- Aunt Jackie's Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner · listed as Althaea Officinalis Root Extract 7th of 31 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other skin conditioning ingredients on these labels
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice 54 labels
- Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil 42 labels
- Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil 16 labels
- Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil 12 labels
- Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter 11 labels
- Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Leaf Extract 9 labels
- Hydrolyzed Quinoa 6 labels
- Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract 6 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.