Escin
Triterpene saponin from horse chestnut seeds. Tightens capillary walls, reduces local edema and often features in eye creams and dark-circle products.
Evidence by route
Topical application
Venotonic with systemic evidence in venous insufficiency. Topical effect for under-eye puffiness is backed only by small studies.
How to read tiers A–F
- BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination
- Use with caution
- Sensitive
About this ingredient
Escin (Aescin) is a triterpene saponin mix from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) seeds. Used systemically for chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids (in Spain – Venoruton, Reparil). In cosmetics it appears in eye-area creams and dark-circle products. Mechanism. Tightens capillary walls, reduces their permeability and lymphatic leakage. On skin this reduces periorbital edema and smooths under-eye bags. Provides mild anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting hyaluronidase and elastase. Where applied. Eye-area creams and serums (0.1-1%), products for dark circles and couperose, post-op leg vein creams. In Spain it appears in Sesderma Factor G Eye Contour, Mesoestetic Eye Contour. Evidence base. For systemic use in CVI, Cochrane Review 2012 (Pittler) confirmed moderate effect on leg edema. Topical cosmetic use rests mainly on manufacturer studies – 50 women with dark circles showed reduced pigmentation and puffiness over 8 weeks with 0.5% escin + caffeine (Roh 2007). Independent RCTs are few. Safety. CIR confirmed safety at cosmetic concentrations (2014). Irritation possible in sensitive skin. Allergic reactions are rare. Pregnancy – use with caution: topical cosmetic concentrations are acceptable but direct data are sparse. Systemic (oral) escin is contraindicated in the first trimester. No lactation data.
Frequently asked questions
Is Escin safe during pregnancy?
Escin should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consulting a dermatologist or OB-GYN is advisable.
What skin types is Escin for?
Escin suits: normal, dry, oily, combination. Use with caution in: sensitive.
What is Escin and what does it do in cosmetics?
Triterpene saponin from horse chestnut seeds.
What's the INCI name for Escin?
The INCI name is Escin. It may also appear as: Aescin.
See Escin in a product composition right on the store page
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