Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract is primarily a soothing/humectant botanical used at low concentrations (often <1–5%) and is generally well tolerated in sensitive-skin products. However, as a plant extract it contains multiple bioactive components and can trigger irritant or allergic contact dermatitis in a small subset of highly reactive or eczema-prone patients, especially in compromised barriers. Given the non-zero sensitization risk inherent to botanicals despite its reputation as “calming,” it fits best as gentle rather than very gentle. Safety Notes: In mass-market leave-on lotions/cleansers, cucumber extract is frequently used as a minor soothing/marketing botanical at very low levels (often well under 0.1%, down to ~0.0005% when supplied as a diluted extract blend). Higher-strength consumer products marketed as “cucumber gel/soothing gel,” masks, or toner/essence concentrates can use cucumber fruit extract (or high-solids glycerin/butylene glycol extracts) at a few percent up to ~10% in leave-on formats; rinse-off products typically sit toward the lower end due to cost and limited deposition. There is no specific EU/FDA maximum for this botanical; practical limits are driven by extract solvent system, odor/color, preservative load, and stability/compatibility in the base.