Marshmallow root extract is gaining popularity in the world of beauty as of late. To be clear, this is not the delicious, sugar-laden confection we use to make s'mores, but rather the ingredient chock-full of benefits for your skin. In fact, the marshmallows we think of today aren't even made from the marshmallow plant anymore; the ingredient has since been replaced with gelatin. So why is the plant suddenly back in the public eye? As far as we can tell, it's actually because of renewed interest in the ingredient for skincare—although its properties have been known by herbalists for centuries. We consulted experts including Aimee Paik, medical director of virtual dermatology firm Apostrophe; Kenneth Howe of Wexler Dermatology in New York City; and cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, of BeautyStat Cosmetics, on the benefits of marshmallow extract for skin.
Meet the Expert
Marshmallow Root Extract
Type of ingredient: Anti-inflammatory.
Main benefits: Soothes redness, relieves inflammation, and helps retain moisture.
Who should use it: In general, people with sensitive and easily irritated skin.
How often you can use it: Twice a day.
Works well with: Products that may otherwise cause irritation.
Don't use with: If you're diabetic, don't take it as a supplement because it might lower blood sugar.
What is Marshmallow Root Extract?
Marshmallow root extract (we'll call it "MRE" for short) comes from the Althaea plant native to Northern Africa, Europe, and Western Asia. According to Howe, "The roots of the marshmallow plant contain a thick, gummy substance called mucilage. The mucilage is extracted from the root and used for medicinal purposes. In addition to mucilage, the root extract contains a number of other ingredients that promote skin health, such as polysaccharides and flavonoids." He explains that MRE has been used in folk medicine for a long time to "relieve irritation or inflammation of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, or to soothe the skin."
Benefits of Marshmallow Root Extract for Skin
"Marshmallow root extract may provide anti-inflammatory benefits as it helps to soothe irritation as it hydrates skin," notes Robinson. But when it comes to skincare benefits, the standout ingredient has evolved. "Traditionally, MRE has been used to treat skin burns and insect bites. But as scientific studies have determined that MRE possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, the clinical uses of MRE have expanded," says Howe. It sure has, because many beloved skincare brands today have a slew of products that showcase MRE as the all-star ingredient. "We use this ingredient in over 70 Jurlique products for its amazing skincare benefits. It's hand-tended and harvested on the Jurlique organic farm in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia," says Jurlique educational manager Sara LaBree.
If you're wondering how often you can use it, however, we'd say stick to two times a day. "Unfortunately, there haven't been any extensive studies on marshmallow root extract so the upper limit of use has not been determined," Paik clarifies.
Mandy Vance, director of education and esthetics at Dr. Hauschka, points out that the brand's best-selling eye cream is infused with marshmallow leaf extract. "The unique qualities of marshmallow leaves and roots lend themselves to many of our products—and for the eye area, they are particularly appropriate as their soothing qualities allow the product to be high-performance yet non-irritating," she says.
