Herbal Extracts & Infusions in Skincare & Haircare

Natural skincare and haircare lovers know, herbs are nature’s original beauty actives. From ancient Ayurveda to modern organic formulations, herbal extracts and infusions remain central to creams, lotions, serums, toners, soaps, and hair oils.

Herbal Extracts vs. Infusions

Herbal Extracts →

• concentrated plant actives,

• drawn out using solvents like water, Glycerine, alcohol, oil, or CO₂

• more potent

• stable with longer shelf life.

• Example: Green tea extract (antioxidant), Licorice extract (brightening).

Herbal Infusions →

• gentler process of steeping herbs in water or oil to transfer their benefits.

• gentler

• holistic

• shorter shelf life

Example: Calendula petals infused in sunflower oil, Hibiscus flowers steeped in hot water.

Many formulators use both for balance.

Categories of Herbal Extracts

Category	Examples	Key Benefits
Flowers	Rose, Chamomile, Calendula, Hibiscus	Soothing, brightening, hydrating
Leaves	Green Tea, Neem, Mint, Rosemary	Antioxidant, clarifying, scalp-stimulating
Roots	Turmeric, Licorice, Ginger	Brightening, anti-inflammatory, warming
Seeds & Pods	Fenugreek, Flaxseed, Amla, Coffee	Strengthening, nourishing, energizing
Barks	Cinnamon, Willow Bark, Sandalwood	Exfoliating, acne-control, calming

Types of Herbal Extracts

Type of Extract	Solvent	Common Uses	Shelf Life
Water Extracts (Decoctions & Infusions)	Distilled water	Serums, toners, gels	Short
Glycerine Extracts (Glycerites)	Vegetable glycerine	Gentle, alcohol-free products	1–2 years
Alcohol Extracts (Tinctures)	Ethanol / vodka	Potent, stable actives	Long
Oil Extracts (Macerations/Infused Oils)	Carrier oils	Creams, balms, hair oils	Varies
CO₂ Extracts	Supercritical CO₂	High-end, very potent formulations	Long

Methods of Preparing Herbal Extracts

• Maceration – soaking dried herbs in alcohol, glycerine, or oil for weeks.

• Decoction – simmering tough herbs like roots, barks, seeds.

• Infusion – steeping delicate parts like flowers and leaves in hot water.

• Percolation – a continuous slow extraction method, stronger than maceration.

• Ultrasound / Cold Extraction – modern, quick extraction with minimal heat damage.

Benefits for Skin & Hair

For Skin:

• Hydration (Aloe Vera, Rose, Cucumber)

• Brightening (Licorice, Turmeric, Lemon Peel)

• Anti-aging (Green Tea, Hibiscus, Ginseng)

• Soothing (Chamomile, Calendula, Lavender)

• Acne control (Neem, Tea Tree, Willow Bark)

For Hair:

• Strength & growth (Amla, Rosemary, Fenugreek)

• Shine & conditioning (Hibiscus, Flaxseed, Aloe)

• Dandruff control (Neem, Tulsi, Tea Tree)

• Scalp stimulation (Peppermint, Ginger, Coffee)

Herbal Extract & Infusion Reference Table

Herb	Form	Skin Benefits	Hair Benefits	Usage Ratio
Aloe Vera	Water/Glycerine Extract	Hydrating, soothing	Scalp hydration	1–10%
Green Tea	Water/Alcohol Extract	Antioxidant, oil control	Strengthens roots	0.5–5%
Chamomile	Glycerine Extract	Calming, redness relief	Gentle scalp care	0.5–3%
Calendula	Oil Infusion	Healing, scar care	Nourishes scalp	5–30%
Hibiscus	Water Infusion	Exfoliation, glow	Shine, growth	Replace water phase
Rosemary	Oil/Alcohol Extract	Antioxidant	Hair growth	0.2–1%
Turmeric	Glycerine Extract	Brightening	Soothes scalp	0.2–2%
Neem	Water/Glycerine Extract	Acne control	Dandruff remedy	0.5–3%
Amla	Powder/Infusion	Anti-aging	Strengthens hair	Add to masks/oils
Licorice	Water/Glycerine Extract	Brightening	Scalp soothing	0.5–2%

How to Make Herbal Infusions (DIY)

1. Water Infusion – 1 part dried herb + 10 parts hot distilled water, steep 20 mins, strain, preserve.

2. Oil Infusion – Half jar dried herbs + carrier oil, infuse 2–4 weeks, strain.

3. Quick Oil Infusion – Heat at 60–70°C for 2–3 hours, strain.

Safety & Stability Tips

• Always use distilled water when making infusions (prevents contamination).

• Oil infusions → store in dark glass bottles, away from sunlight.

• Label extracts with herb name, solvent, date of preparation.

• Watch for colour and odour changes – signs of spoilage.

• Always recommend patch testing for end-users (herbs like turmeric, cinnamon can irritate).

Precautions

• Use dried herbs for oil infusions (fresh herbs will catch mold).

• Preserve water-based infusions.

• Some herbs stain or irritate (turmeric, chamomile).

• Patch test always.

• Store in dark, airtight bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the difference between an herbal extract and an infusion? 

A. Extracts are concentrated plant actives obtained using solvents like water, alcohol, glycerine, or oil. Infusions are milder, made by steeping herbs in water or oil. Extracts are usually stronger, while infusions give a more holistic benefit.

Q2. Can I use fresh herbs for infusions? It’s always better to use dried herbs. Fresh herbs contain water, which can cause mold or microbial growth in oil infusions.

Q3. Do herbal infusions need preservatives? 

A. Yes, all water-based infusions must be preserved to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Use a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative if storing longer than 24 hours.

Q4. How long do herbal extracts last? 

A. Shelf life depends on the solvent:

• Glycerine extracts (glycerites): 1–2 years

• Alcohol tinctures: 2–4 years

• Oil infusions: 6–12 months (depends on carrier oil)

• Water extracts: very short, must be preserved

Q5. Which herbs are best for glowing skin? 

A. Hibiscus (natural AHA), Licorice (brightening), Turmeric (anti-inflammatory), Rose (hydrating & toning), and Aloe Vera (soothing).

Q6. Which herbal extracts are good for hair growth? 

A. Amla, Rosemary, Fenugreek, Hibiscus, and Peppermint stimulate the scalp and strengthen hair roots.

Q7. Can I combine multiple extracts in one formulation? 

A. Yes! Combining extracts gives synergistic benefits. Example: Green Tea Extract (antioxidant) + Aloe Extract (hydration) + Licorice Extract (brightening) in a serum.

Q8. Are CO₂ extracts safe for DIY use? 

A. Yes, they are safe but very potent. Use them at low percentages (0.1–1%). They are more expensive but highly effective in premium formulations.

Q9. Can I add herbal infusions directly into soap making? 

A. Yes, you can use herbal teas (infusions) as the water phase in cold process soap making.

Q10. What is the typical ratio for making a water infusion? 

A. Standard: 1-part dried herb to 10 parts distilled hot water. Steep 15–20 mins, strain, and preserve.

Formulator Notes:

• “Replace water phase” means the infusion can fully substitute the water in your formula.

• Always start at the lower end of usage percentages, especially for potent herbs like turmeric, neem, or rosemary.

• Combine powdered herbs into oils or dry masks and extracts into creams, serums, or shampoos.

• Essential oils should be added carefully, usually ≤1%, to avoid irritation.

• One can combine a water-based extract + oil infusion for complete benefits. Example: Chamomile water extract + Calendula oil infusion = soothing cream.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Herbal extracts and infusions bring the power of nature into skincare and haircare. They are customizable, versatile, and effective when used correctly.

 Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Herbal extracts and infusions may affect individuals differently depending on skin type, hair type, health conditions, or allergies. Always conduct a patch test before using any new ingredient on skin or hair. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.