Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Solanum melongena (eggplant) fruit extract is primarily used as an antioxidant/soothing botanical at low concentrations (typically well under 1–2%) and is generally well tolerated in leave-on products. However, as a plant extract containing multiple phenolic compounds, it carries a small but real risk of irritant reactions or botanical allergy in highly reactive or eczematous patients, especially when layered with other actives. Given the limited robust irritation-patch data compared with core emollients/humectants, I score it as gentle but not “very gentle.” Safety Notes: In commercial skincare, Solanum melongena (eggplant) fruit extract is most often used as a minor botanical/antioxidant support ingredient in multi-extract blends, where finished-product levels commonly fall in the ~0.0005–0.1% range (especially in leave-on serums/lotions and rinse-off cleansers using low-dose label-claim botanicals). Higher concentrations are seen in consumer-available “single-hero” botanical gels/serums and some K-beauty style extracts/ampoules where the extract (typically supplied in a solvent like glycerin/butanediol/water) can be dosed around 1–5% in leave-on products; above this is uncommon due to odor/color, tack, and cost rather than regulatory limits.