Piper methysticum leaf/root/stem extract
AKA “Kava Extract”
Extract
Ingredient Facts
Piper methysticum leaf/root/stem extract
AKA: Kava Extract
Extract · Antioxidant · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Antioxidant
Soothing
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
Kava extract from the Pacific Islands helps condition and soothe skin, leaving it feeling soft and comfortable.
Family
Piperaceae (Pepper family)
Plant Part
Leaf
Lifeform
Perennial or rhizomatous geophyte
Climate
Wet tropical
CAS #
84696-40-2
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.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Antioxidant
Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Kava has deep roots in Pacific Islander traditional medicine and ceremonial practice spanning millennia. Modern skincare applications explore its traditional anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Irritation
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Final report on the safety assessment of Piper methysticum leaf/root/stem extract and Piper methysticum root extract.
Robinson V, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Verified Feb 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR