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Ginkgo Biloba
What Is Ginkgo Biloba in Skincare?
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species, often called the maidenhair tree. In skincare, extracts of its fan-shaped leaves are used for their flavonoids and terpene lactones, which give antioxidant support and help skin look smoother, better hydrated, and more radiant. Ginkgo leaf extract is used at low levels, often well under 1%, in cleansers, serums, and creams.
EWG Skin Deep rating for ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo Biloba Quick Facts
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract |
| Common names | Ginkgo, maidenhair tree |
| Source | Dried green leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree |
| Forms | Water-soluble powdered extract, glycerin or propanediol liquid extract |
| Solubility | Most cosmetic grades are water soluble |
| Key constituents | Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin glycosides), terpene lactones (ginkgolides and bilobalide) |
| Typical usage rate | 0.05 to 0.5% for a water-soluble ginkgo leaf extract (Spec-Chem supplier data); other extracts vary, so follow the supplier sheet |
| Skin types | All skin types, especially dull, dry, and mature skin |
How Ginkgo Biloba Works on the Skin
Antioxidant flavonoids
Ginkgo leaf extract is rich in flavonoids, plant pigments that neutralize free radicals from sun and pollution. Free radical stress contributes over time to the look of dullness, uneven tone, and fine lines, so antioxidants like ginkgo are used to support a formula's defense against environmental aging. They work alongside sunscreen, not in place of it.
What the human study measured
In a 2014 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Maia Campos and colleagues tested a cream with green tea extract and a cream combining green tea and ginkgo biloba extracts. In hairless mice, applying the creams for 5 days was linked to a thicker living epidermis with more cell layers. In 48 human volunteers, the creams were applied to the forearm and measured after 3 hours, 15 days, and 30 days. Both creams improved skin moisture and the skin's fine surface texture (microrelief), and the green tea plus ginkgo blend had the strongest effect on skin elasticity and barrier function. This tested ginkgo in a blend, so it shows how ginkgo can strengthen a formula rather than what ginkgo does alone.
About the "caffeine-like" myth
Ginkgo does not contain caffeine and is not related to it. Its reputation as an energizing ingredient comes from the way antioxidant-rich extracts help tired skin look brighter.
How to Use Ginkgo Biloba in Formulas
- Usage rate: for a water-soluble ginkgo leaf extract like the one listed by Spec-Chem, use up to the top of its range, 0.5%: 0.15 g in a 30 g (1 oz) product.
- When to add: add to the water phase or the cool-down phase below 40°C (104°F).
- pH: comfortable in the pH 4.5 to 6.5 range used for most face products.
- Pairings: ginkgo pairs especially well with green tea, as in the study above, and with ginseng, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.
- Color: extracts can tint formulas light yellow to brown.
- Preservation and storage: use a broad-spectrum preservative in water-based products and keep the extract sealed, cool, and dark.
Who Ginkgo Biloba Suits
Ginkgo leaf extract suits most skin types and is a good fit for dull, dry, or mature skin and for anyone building a layered antioxidant routine.
Sensitive skin: the fruit pulp of the ginkgo tree contains ginkgolic acids that can irritate skin, which is why cosmetic grades use leaf extracts. Patch test any new product on the inner arm for 24 hours and start with the lowest recommended amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ginkgo biloba do for skin?
Ginkgo leaf extract adds antioxidant flavonoids that help skin look brighter and smoother. In a 48-person study, a cream combining ginkgo and green tea improved measured skin moisture, texture, and elasticity.
Is ginkgo biloba good for anti-aging?
Ginkgo is a useful antioxidant in anti-aging formulas. Its best human data comes from a blend with green tea, which improved measured elasticity and barrier function over 30 days.
Is ginkgo in skincare the same as ginkgo supplements?
No. Supplements are taken by mouth, while skincare extracts act on the skin surface. The results above come from creams applied to the skin.
Is ginkgo biloba safe for sensitive skin?
Cosmetic leaf extracts are generally well tolerated. The fruit pulp contains ginkgolic acids that can irritate, which is why skincare uses leaf extracts. Patch test first.
Can I use ginkgo with vitamin C?
Yes. Ginkgo and vitamin C are both antioxidants and work well together in serums.
Is ginkgo good for mature skin?
Yes. Its antioxidant support and the moisture and elasticity results seen with ginkgo blends make it a good fit for mature skin routines.
Shop Ginkgo Biloba Skincare
Find ginkgo biloba in the Foaming Peptide Cleanser, shown below. To compare ginkgo with other antioxidant ingredients, see our antioxidants glossary or read our guide to antioxidants in face creams.
Sources
- Maia Campos PMBG, Gianeti MD, Mercurio DG, Gaspar LR. Synergistic effects of green tea and ginkgo biloba extracts on the improvement of skin barrier function and elasticity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2014;13(9):1092-1097. JDD article (hairless mice, plus 48 volunteers over 30 days)
- Spec-Chem, Ingredients Catalogue 2026 V1: SpecPure Aqua GBE, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, water soluble, 0.05 to 0.5% (supplier data).
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.