Ingredient
Hypericum Perforatum Oil
Hypericum Perforatum Oil is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying to conceive.
- St. John's Wort Oil
- SJW Oil
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Caution Advised
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 3 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and pregnancy
Caution Advised
Hypericum Perforatum Oil, derived from St. John's Wort, is used topically for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It's important to distinguish between topical and oral use: oral St. John's Wort supplements are widely known to interact with medications and affect neurotransmitters, but topical application results in much lower systemic absorption. The concerns about St. John's Wort during pregnancy primarily stem from oral supplement use, which has been associated with potential uterine stimulation and is generally avoided. For topical use, data is very limited. While systemic absorption from topical application is significantly lower than oral intake, some absorption can occur, particularly with oils applied to large body areas. The photosensitizing compound hypericin and other active constituents could theoretically reach systemic circulation. Due to the lack of safety data specifically for topical use during pregnancy and the well-documented concerns with oral use, most healthcare providers take a precautionary approach. The American Pregnancy Association and most obstetricians recommend avoiding St. John's Wort products during pregnancy, though this guidance primarily addresses oral supplements. Due to uncertainty about topical safety and the conservative principle of minimizing unnecessary exposures during pregnancy, many dermatologists suggest choosing alternative soothing oils with better-established pregnancy safety profiles.
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and breastfeeding
Caution Advised
- Passes into breast milk
Hypericum Perforatum Oil is derived from St. John's Wort and used topically for its anti-inflammatory properties. The plant contains active compounds including hypericin and hyperforin that have biological activity. The primary concern with St. John's Wort during breastfeeding relates to oral supplement use, which has been detected in breast milk and associated with potential effects on infant behavior (colic, drowsiness, lethargy in some case reports). For topical use, absorption is lower than oral consumption, but some systemic absorption can occur, especially with oil-based products applied to large areas. Due to limited data on topical use during lactation and the documented concerns with oral use, LactMed (the NIH's drugs and lactation database) suggests caution. Most lactation consultants and dermatologists recommend avoiding St. John's Wort products while breastfeeding as a precautionary measure, particularly since there are many alternative soothing ingredients with better-established safety profiles for breastfeeding mothers.
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and postpartum
Safe to Use
- Increases sun sensitivity
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, Hypericum Perforatum Oil can be used topically for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Without the concern of transfer to an infant, the main consideration is photosensitivity. The oil contains hypericin, which makes skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Women using this ingredient should apply sunscreen and limit sun exposure to prevent increased risk of sunburn and pigmentation, which can be particularly relevant postpartum when melasma may be a concern.
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and trying to conceive
Caution Advised
Hypericum Perforatum Oil comes from St. John's Wort, a plant with documented effects on neurotransmitters and potential hormonal activity when taken orally. While topical use results in much lower systemic absorption than oral supplements, some absorption can occur. Due to the well-documented concerns about oral St. John's Wort during early pregnancy (potential uterine stimulation) and the lack of specific data on topical use when trying to conceive, many healthcare providers recommend a conservative approach. Women actively trying to conceive may choose to avoid this ingredient and switch to alternatives once pregnancy is confirmed or during the preconception period.
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and PCOS
Safe to Use
- Increases sun sensitivity
Hypericum Perforatum Oil is used topically for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. While oral St. John's Wort supplements can interact with medications and affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters, topical application does not produce these systemic effects. There are no specific concerns about topical St. John's Wort oil for women with PCOS. The ingredient does not affect androgen levels, insulin sensitivity, or other hormonal factors associated with PCOS. Its anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions. The main consideration is photosensitivity: the oil can make skin more sensitive to sun, so sun protection is important to prevent pigmentation issues that women with PCOS may already be prone to.
Hypericum Perforatum Oil and general use
Safe to Use
- Increases sun sensitivity
Hypericum Perforatum Oil is derived from St. John's Wort and used in topical products for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. It has a long history of traditional use for skin conditions. The primary concern with topical use is photosensitivity. The oil contains hypericin, a compound that makes skin more reactive to UV radiation, increasing the risk of sunburn and potentially contributing to sun damage. Users should apply sunscreen and limit sun exposure when using products containing this oil. Some individuals may also experience skin irritation. For the general population, topical St. John's Wort oil is considered safe when used appropriately with sun protection. Note that this assessment applies only to topical use: oral St. John's Wort supplements have significant drug interactions and should not be used without medical supervision.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
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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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A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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