Ingredient
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract is flagged for breastfeeding, pregnancy and trying to conceive. The concern behind the strongest flag is may affect milk supply and hormone disruptor.
- Chasteberry Extract
- Chaste Tree Berry Extract
- Monk's Pepper 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 breastfeeding, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 3 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 1 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and pregnancy
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry) extract is a botanical ingredient known for its hormone-modulating properties when taken orally. The plant contains compounds that affect dopamine receptors and can influence prolactin and progesterone levels. In cosmetics, it's used at lower concentrations primarily for antioxidant benefits. While topical absorption of chasteberry extract in cosmetics is significantly lower than oral supplementation, the ingredient's known hormonal activity raises theoretical concerns during pregnancy. Oral chasteberry supplements are generally contraindicated during pregnancy due to effects on hormones. Though specific studies on topical use during pregnancy are limited, the potential for even minimal hormonal influence warrants caution, particularly in the first trimester when hormonal balance is critical for fetal development. Due to the known hormonal effects of this botanical, many healthcare providers and dermatologists recommend avoiding chasteberry-containing products during pregnancy as a precautionary measure. While there's no definitive evidence of harm from topical cosmetic use, the lack of safety data combined with known oral hormonal effects makes this an ingredient where caution is advisable.
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- May affect milk supply
- Hormone disruptor
Chasteberry extract is specifically known to affect prolactin levels, the hormone responsible for breast milk production. When taken orally, vitex agnus-castus can decrease prolactin levels, which is why it's sometimes used to reduce breast milk supply during weaning. While topical application in cosmetics involves lower concentrations than oral supplements, any absorption of chasteberry compounds could theoretically impact milk production. Given that this botanical is specifically used in herbal medicine to affect lactation, dermatologists and lactation consultants typically recommend avoiding products containing vitex agnus-castus during breastfeeding. The potential impact on milk supply makes this ingredient one to avoid while breastfeeding, particularly in the early months when establishing and maintaining milk production is crucial. There are many alternative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory botanical extracts that don't carry this specific risk.
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and postpartum
Safe to Use
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, vitex agnus-castus extract in topical cosmetics poses minimal concerns. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can benefit postpartum skin without the milk supply concerns relevant to breastfeeding mothers. If you're not breastfeeding, the primary consideration is whether you're comfortable using an ingredient with known hormonal effects systemically. In topical cosmetics at low concentrations, systemic absorption is minimal, making this a reasonable ingredient choice for postpartum skincare when lactation is not a factor.
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and trying to conceive
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
- Fertility effects
Vitex agnus-castus has known effects on reproductive hormones when taken orally, and some women use it as a supplement when trying to conceive. However, the relationship between chasteberry and fertility is complex and depends on individual hormonal profiles. For topical cosmetic use, the concern is more theoretical given the lower concentrations and minimal absorption. However, because this is a period when you may want to optimize hormonal balance and avoid any potential interference, many healthcare providers suggest avoiding chasteberry products when actively trying to conceive unless you're specifically using oral supplements under medical supervision. If you become pregnant, you should discontinue use.
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and PCOS
Safe to Use
Vitex agnus-castus is actually used as an oral supplement by some women with PCOS to help balance hormones, particularly by affecting prolactin and progesterone levels. However, its effectiveness and appropriateness vary depending on individual hormone profiles. In topical cosmetic form, the concentrations are much lower than therapeutic oral doses, so the ingredient functions primarily as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent rather than a systemic hormone modulator. The anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for PCOS-related skin issues like acne. While oral chasteberry supplements should only be taken under medical supervision for PCOS, topical use in cosmetics is generally considered safe and may provide skin benefits without significant systemic hormonal effects. However, if you're taking oral vitex supplements for PCOS, you may want to discuss cumulative exposure with your healthcare provider.
Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract and general use
Safe to Use
For the general population not pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive, vitex agnus-castus extract in cosmetics is a safe ingredient that provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The topical concentrations are well below those used in oral supplements. The extract contains flavonoids and other compounds that help protect skin from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. It's generally well-tolerated with minimal risk of irritation. While oral chasteberry supplements have hormonal effects, topical application in cosmetics at standard concentrations is not expected to cause systemic hormonal changes in healthy adults. The ingredient is approved for use in cosmetics in major markets without restrictions for the general population.
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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