Ingredient
Viscum Album Leaf Extract
Viscum Album Leaf Extract is flagged for pregnancy. The concern behind the strongest flag is absorbed into the body.
- Mistletoe Leaf Extract
- European Mistletoe Extract
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
- 1 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 1 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and pregnancy
Caution Advised
- Absorbed into the body
Viscum Album Leaf Extract comes from European mistletoe, a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine. In cosmetics, it serves as a soothing agent with potential antioxidant properties. While topical application is generally associated with minimal absorption, mistletoe is known to contain bioactive compounds including lectins and viscotoxins. Oral mistletoe preparations are used medicinally and are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulation effects. However, specific data on topical cosmetic use during pregnancy is limited. Most dermatologists and obstetricians recommend caution with plant extracts that have medicinal properties when used orally, even when applied topically. While there's no clear evidence of harm from cosmetic formulations, the lack of pregnancy-specific safety data suggests choosing well-studied alternatives when possible.
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and breastfeeding
Safe to Use
Viscum Album Leaf Extract is a botanical ingredient used topically for its calming properties. When applied to skin in cosmetic formulations, absorption into the bloodstream is minimal. There is no evidence that topical application of mistletoe leaf extract in cosmetics poses risks to breastfeeding mothers or breastfed infants. The amount that could potentially enter breast milk from topical skincare use would be negligible. Dermatologists generally consider topical botanical extracts with soothing properties to be compatible with breastfeeding, especially when the ingredient has a long history of cosmetic use without reported adverse effects.
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and postpartum
Safe to Use
For postpartum women not breastfeeding, Viscum Album Leaf Extract can provide soothing benefits to skin that may be experiencing sensitivity or inflammation from hormonal changes. The extract's antioxidant properties may also support skin recovery and help address postpartum skin concerns without any specific contraindications for this population.
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and trying to conceive
Safe to Use
For women trying to conceive, Viscum Album Leaf Extract in topical cosmetics presents minimal concern. The ingredient is applied externally with very limited systemic absorption. While it's prudent to avoid oral mistletoe preparations when trying to conceive, topical cosmetic use at typical formulation levels has no documented impact on fertility or conception.
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and PCOS
Safe to Use
Viscum Album Leaf Extract functions as a soothing botanical ingredient with potential anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit PCOS-affected skin. Women with PCOS often experience inflammation-related skin issues including acne and sensitivity. The calming properties of this extract may help reduce irritation without interfering with hormones. There is no evidence that topical use of mistletoe leaf extract affects androgen levels, insulin sensitivity, or other hormonal factors relevant to PCOS.
Viscum Album Leaf Extract and general use
Safe to Use
Viscum Album Leaf Extract is a botanical ingredient valued for its soothing and antioxidant properties in skincare formulations. For the general population, this extract is well-tolerated with a low risk of irritation. Rare cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported in individuals sensitive to mistletoe. The ingredient is approved for cosmetic use in major markets and has a history of safe use in topical products at typical cosmetic concentrations.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Viscum Album Leaf 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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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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