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Feverfew Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare (sensitive scalp)
☑ Handmade Soap (parthenolide-free extract at trace)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient (parthenolide-free grades only)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a daisy-family herb best known as a migraine remedy; in skincare, its leaves and flowers provide a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant extract. The catch is parthenolide, feverfew’s signature sesquiterpene lactone, which is a contact sensitizer. Modern cosmetic feverfew is therefore parthenolide-depleted (PD-feverfew), a grade shown in laboratory and human studies to protect skin from UV-induced damage, reduce redness and inflammation, and outperform other botanical antioxidants such as green tea and vitamin C in free-radical scavenging [1, 2]. PD-feverfew calms the irritation caused by shaving, retinoids, and environmental stress, making it an ideal “buffer” ingredient across ORY®‘s lines for sensitive skin and scalps.
What is Feverfew Extract made of?
Feverfew extract is prepared by hydro-alcoholic extraction of leaves and flowers, followed (for cosmetic grades) by a process that removes parthenolide. Constituents [1, 3]:
ORY® specifies parthenolide-free feverfew extract with a certificate confirming non-detectable parthenolide.
- Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, tanetin, santin): Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
- Phenolic acids (dicaffeoylquinic acids, chlorogenic acid): Strong free-radical scavengers and inhibitors of inflammatory mediators.
- Parthenolide (removed in PD grades): Anti-inflammatory but sensitizing; standard cosmetic material is parthenolide-free.
- Essential-oil traces (camphor, chrysanthenyl acetate): Minor.
What skin type is best suited for Feverfew Extract?
PD-feverfew is designed for reactive skin and skin under stress from actives or environment:
- Sensitive: The core use — reduces redness, stinging, and reactivity; clinically studied in sensitive-skin panels [2].
- Acne-prone: Calms inflammatory lesions and buffers the irritation of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids.
- Mature: UV-protective antioxidant; reduces inflammation-driven aging [1].
- Dry: Soothes irritated, tight skin.
- Combination: Calming serums for reactive zones.
- Normal: Daily antioxidant and shaving-irritation relief.
- Oily: Water-based extract in light gels.
What hair type is best suited for Feverfew Extract?
Feverfew’s anti-irritant properties translate to the scalp:
- Sensitive scalp: Reduces itch, redness, and reactivity to surfactants and dyes.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Anti-inflammatory support alongside antifungal actives.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Soothes post-service scalp irritation.
- Mature or thinning: Antioxidant protection of the scalp.
- Dry or damaged, oily scalp, straight, wavy, curly, coily: Scalp-comfort ingredient for all.
What are the benefits of Feverfew Extract?
PD-feverfew’s benefits are supported by peer-reviewed studies [1–3]:
- Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide release; reduces redness [2].
- UV protection: Reduced UV-induced erythema and DNA damage in human skin [1].
- Antioxidant: Free-radical scavenging capacity greater than several common botanical antioxidants [1].
- Barrier support: Reduces irritant-induced barrier disruption.
- Anti-irritant buffer: Reduces stinging from shaving and from actives such as retinol and acids.
- Skin-tone evenness: Reduces inflammation-driven blotchiness.
- Scalp soothing: Calms reactive scalps.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Parthenolide-free feverfew is a water/glycerin-phase extract suitable for all four ORY® lines.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Sensitive-skin serums and creams, after-shave products, retinol and acid "companion" moisturizers, sunscreens, eye creams. |
0.5–2% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sensitive-scalp shampoos and conditioners, scalp serums, post-color treatments. |
0.2–1% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
PD-extract at trace for soothing claims in sensitive-skin bars (modest efficacy in rinse-off). |
0.5–1% of oil weight |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Calming foundations, primers, and mineral SPF products for redness-prone skin. |
0.2–1% |
Pros and cons of Feverfew Extract
Pros
Cons
- Strong anti-irritant evidence: Human and laboratory studies on PD-feverfew [1, 2].
- High antioxidant capacity: Outperforms several botanical antioxidants in vitro [1].
- Buffers actives: Improves tolerance of retinol, acids, and benzoyl peroxide.
- Water-soluble and stable: Easy to formulate.
- Four-line utility: All ORY® product types.
- Must be parthenolide-free: Non-depleted feverfew is a documented contact allergen.
- Asteraceae allergy: Even PD grades warrant patch testing in ragweed-allergic customers.
- Limited supplier base: PD-feverfew is a specialty ingredient.
- Rinse-off limits: Modest benefit in soap and shampoo compared with leave-ons.
- Less consumer recognition: Requires education.
What is the best application of Feverfew Extract?
Feverfew is a daily calming ingredient and a companion to stronger actives:
- Calming serum or cream: AM/PM for sensitive and redness-prone skin.
- Retinol/acid companion moisturizer: Apply over exfoliants or retinol to reduce stinging.
- After-shave balm: Reduces razor burn.
- Daytime moisturizer or SPF: Antioxidant UV support.
- Eye cream: Reduces redness and irritation.
- Sensitive-scalp shampoo and serum: For itchy, reactive scalps.
- Soap: Soothing bar for sensitive skin.
- Cosmetics: Calming primer and foundation.
Peer-reviewed references
- Martin K, Sur R, Liebel F, et al. Parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) protects skin from UV irradiation and external aggression. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2008;300(2):69–80.
- Sur R, Martin K, Liebel F, Lyte P, Shapiro S, Southall M. Anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). Inflammopharmacology. 2009;17(1):42–49.
- Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, Bansal V. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): a systematic review. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2011;5(9):103–110.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about feverfew extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including rosacea, acne, dermatitis, sunburn, dandruff, or any skin condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
ORY® feverfew products do not provide sun protection. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Feverfew is in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. Regular feverfew contains parthenolide, a known skin allergen; ORY® uses parthenolide-free extract only, but people with daisy-family allergy may still react, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
