Tilia Cordata Extract

Tilia cordata (linden) flower/leaf extracts are typically used at low concentrations as soothing/antioxidant botanicals, but botanical extracts remain a common source of stinging, erythema, and occasional allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized or eczematous patients due to complex mixtures of plant proteins and polyphenols. While many users tolerate it, clinical patch testing experience with botanicals supports a non-trivial risk of reactivity in highly sensitive skin, so I rate it as mild rather than “gentle” for compromised barriers. Safety Notes: In mass-market and premium moisturizers/toners/cleansers, Tilia cordata (linden) extract is commonly used as a low-level soothing/marketing botanical, with real-world INCI placements consistent with ~0.001–0.1% (especially in rinse-off where botanicals are often token-dosed). Higher-strength consumer products (botanical serums, calming masks, and “herbal” gels/creams) use supplier-recommended active-use levels around 0.5–3%, and some niche formulas push to ~5% when the extract is the featured active and stability/odor/color are managed. No specific EU/FDA maximum applies to this botanical extract, so practical limits are driven by sensorial impact, cost, and preservative system compatibility rather than regulation.