Diosmin
A plant flavonoid taken by mouth for venous insufficiency. Cosmetic manufacturers link it to vessel tone and fewer dark circles. Skin data come only from explants and cell cultures, with no human studies
Evidence by route
Topical application
Data on the soothing effect come only from the laboratory. On skin explants, a 2% cream lowered IL-8 release by 36%, and in cell cultures diosmin reduced inflammatory markers. One explant study, with authors from a pharmaceutical company, found narrower capillaries. Dark circles have not been studied at all
- C
Skin vessel tone
On skin explants exposed to substance P, a 2% cream reduced the share of dilated capillaries by 29% and capillary lumen area by 49%. This is a single ex vivo study with authors from a pharmaceutical company (Boisnic 2018)
- C
Soothing
Laboratory data only: on skin explants a 2% cream lowered IL-8 release by 36% (Boisnic 2018), and in fibroblasts diosmin reduced inflammatory markers (Feldo 2022)
- D
Dark circles
Topical diosmin has not been studied for dark circles, either in people or in the laboratory
- Boisnic S et al. Anti-inflammatory and antiradical effects of a 2% diosmin cream in a human skin organ culture as model. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(5):848-854. PMID 30203575
- Feldo M et al. Modulatory Effect of Diosmin and Diosmetin on Metalloproteinase Activity and Inflammatory Mediators in Human Skin Fibroblasts Treated with Lipopolysaccharide. Molecules. 2022;27(13). PMID 35807509
- Lee J et al. Diosmin restores the skin barrier by targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in atopic dermatitis. Phytomedicine. 2021;81:153418. PMID 33302042
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
- DNo data, or very weak or conflicting data
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- Only a 2% cream has been tested, and only on human skin explants, not in people (Boisnic 2018)
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Diosmin is a plant flavonoid. It is taken by mouth for chronic venous insufficiency (Boisnic 2018), but data on the tablets do not carry over to creams. The mechanism has been studied in the laboratory. In human skin fibroblasts stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, diosmin lowered IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2 and PGE2 and inhibited elastase and collagenase (Feldo 2022). In keratinocytes it activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and raised the barrier proteins filaggrin and loricrin, and in a skin equivalent the epidermis became thicker (Lee 2021). The only study of a diosmin cream used human skin explants, not volunteers (Boisnic 2018). After substance P, explants treated with a 2% cream had a 29% lower share of dilated capillaries, a 49% smaller capillary lumen area and 36% less IL-8 release than explants without cream. After UVB, hydrogen peroxide was 45% lower. A placebo cream had no effect. Three of the five authors work for a pharmaceutical company. Diosmin is added mainly to eye-area products. Manufacturers link it to vessel tone and fewer dark circles, but topical diosmin has not been tested on dark circles, either in people or in the laboratory. No studies of tolerance or sensitization to diosmin creams in people have been published. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diosmin safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Diosmin during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Diosmin for?
Diosmin suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Diosmin and what does it do in cosmetics?
A plant flavonoid taken by mouth for venous insufficiency.
What's the INCI name for Diosmin?
The INCI name is Diosmin. It may also appear as: Diosmine.
What concentration of Diosmin is effective?
Only a 2% cream has been tested, and only on human skin explants, not in people (Boisnic 2018)
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