Apple Extract
A fruit extract that brings gentle malic acid, sugars and antioxidants to exfoliating and brightening formulas.
Pyrus malus fruit extract, apple fruit extract, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, apple stem cells, apple seed oil, Pyrus malus seed oil, malic acid
Dull skin · Texture & large pores
What it does
Apple extract, taken from the fruit, brings a gentle dose of natural fruit acids, mainly malic acid, along with sugars and antioxidant polyphenols. Apple seed oil, pressed from the pips, is a different ingredient: a light emollient oil rather than a source of acids. The fruit extract usually plays a supporting role in fruit-acid blends and brightening formulas, rather than being the main exfoliant.
How it works
Malic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid: like other AHAs, it loosens the bonds between dead surface cells so they shed more evenly, helping brighten a dull complexion. The fruit’s natural sugars act as humectants, drawing water into the skin. Some Valmont and Biologique Recherche formulas use apple fruit cell culture extract (often called apple stem cells) instead: a plant-derived extract included to support the look of healthy, radiant skin. It does not act as stem cells in human skin, and the evidence comes mainly from the ingredient makers’ own laboratory studies.
MG says
Apple extract is part of the fruit complex in Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM 400, which pairs gentle exfoliating acids with brightening agents for dull skin with uneven pigmentation. As with any acid, introduce it slowly and wear SPF daily.
Cautions
On its own, as a supporting extract, apple extract is gentle. In fruit-acid formulas it can tingle and make skin more sensitive to the sun, so use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and for a week after use.
