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Corn (Zea Mays) Silk Extract
AKA “Zea Mays Extract”
Extract
Ingredient Facts
Corn (Zea Mays) silk extract
AKA: Zea Mays Extract
Extract · Soothing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Humectant
Soothing
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
Science: Origin: Botanic/Natural | Process: Solvent Extraction Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
Family
Poaceae (Grass family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
91079-16-2
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Conditions Skin
Antioxidant Protection
Locks In Moisture
Brightens Skin
Softens & Smooths
Traditional Use
Corn silk has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and indigenous practices for centuries as a gentle, soothing botanical. Historically valued for its astringent and calming properties in skincare remedies.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Soothing
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Comedogenic
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Zea mays (corn)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Fruit
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR