Ingredient
Convallaria Majalis Extract
Convallaria Majalis Extract is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, postpartum, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is absorbed into the body and fetal development.
- Lily of the Valley Extract
- May Lily Extract
- Convallaria Extract
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 1 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Convallaria Majalis Extract and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Fetal development
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) extract contains cardiac glycosides throughout the plant, making extracts from any plant part potentially problematic. These compounds can affect heart function and are classified as toxic by medical and toxicology references. During pregnancy, exposure to cardiac glycosides raises concerns about effects on both maternal and fetal cardiovascular systems. While cosmetic concentrations are much lower than medicinal doses, the potency of these compounds and lack of safety studies in pregnancy warrant strict avoidance. The developing fetal heart is particularly sensitive to substances that affect cardiac function. Toxicology databases classify Convallaria majalis as a poisonous plant that should be avoided during pregnancy. Medical professionals, including obstetricians and clinical toxicologists, would recommend complete avoidance of cosmetic products containing any form of Lily of the Valley extract during pregnancy. The theoretical risks from the plant's bioactive compounds outweigh any cosmetic benefits, especially when numerous safer botanical alternatives exist.
Convallaria Majalis Extract and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Passes into breast milk
- Infant exposure
Lily of the Valley extract poses risks during breastfeeding due to the potential for cardiac glycosides to be absorbed systemically and transferred to breast milk. Even though topical cosmetic use results in lower absorption than ingestion, these are extremely potent compounds that can affect infant heart function. Cardiac glycosides are known to transfer into breast milk when present in the maternal circulation. Given the sensitivity of infant cardiovascular systems and the potential for serious adverse effects, even theoretical exposure should be avoided. Lactation pharmacology references recommend avoiding plants containing cardiac glycosides during breastfeeding. The standard recommendation from lactation consultants and toxicology experts is complete avoidance of products containing Convallaria majalis extract while breastfeeding. The risk-benefit analysis clearly favors using alternative cosmetic ingredients that don't contain cardioactive compounds.
Convallaria Majalis Extract and postpartum
Caution Advised
- Absorbed into the body
For postpartum women not breastfeeding, Lily of the Valley extract remains concerning due to its cardiac glycoside content. These compounds can potentially be absorbed through skin and affect cardiovascular function, which may be altered during the postpartum recovery period. While serious toxicity from cosmetic use is unlikely, the presence of cardioactive compounds in a cosmetic product is unnecessary when safer alternatives exist. Dermatologists typically recommend choosing botanical extracts without known toxicity concerns, particularly for women in recovery periods when physiological systems are adjusting.
Convallaria Majalis Extract and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
Women trying to conceive should avoid Lily of the Valley extract as a precautionary measure. The recommendation to avoid this ingredient during pregnancy logically extends to the preconception period, since early pregnancy often occurs before a woman knows she has conceived. While there's no evidence that Convallaria majalis extract affects fertility, the presence of toxic cardiac glycosides and the established recommendation to avoid this plant during pregnancy supports discontinuing use when trying to conceive. Reproductive health specialists typically advise treating the TTC period with the same precautions as early pregnancy for potentially harmful exposures.
Convallaria Majalis Extract and PCOS
Caution Advised
Convallaria majalis extract doesn't have specific implications for PCOS management, as its bioactive cardiac glycosides don't interact with hormonal pathways relevant to PCOS. The concerns are general safety issues rather than condition-specific. Women with PCOS should apply the same caution as the general population regarding this ingredient. The cardiac glycosides present theoretical cardiovascular risks that apply regardless of PCOS status. Since PCOS doesn't increase vulnerability to this ingredient's effects, the standard recommendation to choose safer alternatives applies. Given that women with PCOS may be taking medications like metformin (which has cardiovascular considerations) or hormonal treatments, avoiding unnecessary exposure to cardioactive botanical compounds is prudent, even though direct drug interactions from cosmetic use are unlikely.
Convallaria Majalis Extract and general use
Caution Advised
- Common allergen
- Irritant
For the general population, Convallaria majalis extract in cosmetics presents moderate safety concerns. The plant's cardiac glycoside content means even cosmetic extracts contain potentially cardioactive compounds. While diluted in cosmetic formulations, and serious toxicity from topical use is rare, the presence of these bioactive substances raises questions about necessity and safety. The extract can cause allergic contact dermatitis and skin irritation in sensitive individuals. More significantly, there's theoretical concern about systemic absorption of cardiac glycosides, particularly with repeated application or use on large body areas. Individuals with heart conditions, arrhythmias, or those taking cardiac medications should be especially cautious. Many cosmetic formulators and dermatologists question the use of this ingredient when safer botanical alternatives exist for achieving similar cosmetic effects. The EU regulatory framework monitors ingredients from plants containing cardiac glycosides, and safety assessments are required. Consumers may prefer products using botanical extracts without known toxicity concerns.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Convallaria Majalis Extract, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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