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Coltsfoot Botanical
What Is Coltsfoot in Skincare?
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a yellow-flowered plant in the daisy family whose leaves are rich in mucilage, a slippery, water-binding plant gum. In skincare, coltsfoot is used as a water or glycerin extract in creams, toners, and eye serums for skin that feels soft, smooth, and comfortable.
EWG Skin Deep rating for coltsfoot
It is an old European herb, named for its hoof-shaped leaves, and today it is a minor botanical in cosmetics: useful as a soothing, softening extract rather than a headline active.
Quick Facts
| INCI names | Tussilago Farfara Leaf Extract; Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract; often supplied as Glycerin (and) Water (and) Tussilago Farfara Extract |
|---|---|
| Common names | Coltsfoot, colt's foot, horsehoof, coughwort |
| Plant family | Asteraceae (daisy family) |
| Source | Leaves and flowers of a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia |
| Form | Colorless to amber liquid extract |
| Solubility | Water soluble |
| Typical usage rate | 5% to 10% for a glycerin and water extract (supplier range) |
| pH of extract | 4.0 to 7.0 (supplier specification) |
| Key compounds | Mucilage (polysaccharides), inulin, tannins, flavonoids, bitter compounds |
| Skin types | Normal, dry, combination, and mature skin |
How Coltsfoot Works on the Skin
Softening mucilage
Coltsfoot mucilage is a mix of plant sugars that holds water and leaves a light, smooth film on the skin. That is why coltsfoot extract is described in cosmetic references as a skin softener and smoothing agent, and why it suits creams and eye serums where a silky after-feel matters.
Tannins and a toned feel
Tannins give coltsfoot a mild astringent effect, so toners and gels with the extract can leave skin feeling refreshed and slightly tighter. This is a surface feel, similar to witch hazel, not a structural change.
What the research measured
In a 2016 lab study (Kang and colleagues, Archives of Pharmacal Research), nine compounds were isolated from coltsfoot flower buds and tested on cultured human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and mouse fibroblasts under oxidative stress. Two of them, including trans-cinnamic acid, protected the cells in standard viability tests. This was cell culture, not people, and no placebo-controlled human study of a topical coltsfoot product was found when this entry was written.
A Safety Note: Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
Coltsfoot naturally contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), mainly senkirkine and senecionine, which are a liver concern when the plant is eaten or drunk as a tea. In a 2013 study (Adamczak and colleagues, Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae), 20 leaf samples contained 0.06 to 1.04 micrograms of PAs per gram of dry leaf, and the amount varied mostly with the plant's genetics. For skincare this means two things: buy cosmetic-grade extracts from a supplier that controls raw material quality, and keep coltsfoot products for external use only.
How to Use Coltsfoot in DIY Formulas
- When to add. Add glycerin and water extracts in the cool-down phase below 40°C (104°F), or straight into a gel base.
- How much. Use 10%, the top of the supplier range, in creams, toners, and serums. For sensitive skin, start at 5%.
- Compatibility. Coltsfoot pairs well with aloe, chamomile, calendula, and hyaluronic acid. Because the extract runs pH 4 to 7, check the final pH of your formula and adjust to suit your preservative.
- Preserve and store. Glycerin extracts contain water, so use a broad-spectrum preservative in the finished product. Store the extract cool and dark, tightly capped.
- Easy base. To try it without a full emulsion, stir the extract into our Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base at 10%.
Who Coltsfoot Suits
Coltsfoot extract suits normal, dry, combination, and mature skin, and its softening feel works well in products for the delicate eye area. It is a daisy-family plant, so anyone allergic to ragweed, chamomile, arnica, or other daisy-family plants should avoid it. If you have sensitive skin, patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at the lowest rate of the range, 5%, then work up. Do not use coltsfoot on broken skin, and do not take cosmetic extracts internally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is coltsfoot used for in skincare?
Coltsfoot extract is used as a soothing, softening botanical in creams, toners, and eye serums. Its mucilage leaves skin feeling smooth and comfortable, and its tannins give a light, refreshed feel.
Is coltsfoot safe to use on skin?
Cosmetic-grade coltsfoot extracts are used in skincare at 5% to 10%. The plant contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are a concern when eaten, so choose a reputable supplier and use coltsfoot products externally only. Avoid it if you are allergic to daisy-family plants.
How much coltsfoot extract should I use in a formula?
The supplier range for a glycerin and water coltsfoot extract is 5% to 10%. Use 10% for full effect, or start at 5% for sensitive skin.
Is coltsfoot good for hair?
Coltsfoot appears in some shampoos and scalp care products as a soothing, conditioning botanical, and its mucilage can help hair feel smoother. No published study of coltsfoot on hair was found, so think of it as a supporting ingredient rather than a key active.
What does coltsfoot contain?
Coltsfoot leaves contain mucilage, inulin, tannins, flavonoids, and bitter compounds, plus trace pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The mucilage and tannins are the parts that matter most for skin feel.
Is coltsfoot good for sensitive skin?
Coltsfoot is chosen for its soothing feel, but it is a daisy-family plant, which some sensitive skin reacts to. Patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at 5%.
Shop and Learn More
No current product is built around coltsfoot. For a ready base to add botanical extracts to, see our Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base. For another soothing botanical with a similar safety story, read our comfrey root glossary entry, and for a silica-rich botanical, see horsetail. To learn why antioxidants matter in skincare, see what are free radicals.
Sources
- Kang U, Park J, Han AR, Woo MH, Lee JH, Lee SK, Chang TS, Woo HA, Seo EK. Identification of cytoprotective constituents of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara against glucose oxidase-induced oxidative stress in mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Archives of Pharmacal Research. 2016;39(4):474-480. doi:10.1007/s12272-016-0730-z. DOI
- Adamczak A, Opala B, Gryszczyńska A, Buchwald W. Content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the leaves of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) in Poland. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 2013. doi:10.5586/asbp.2013.028. DOI
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.