INCI: Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract / Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Seed Oil - Also known as: Black Elderberry Extract, Elder Flower Extract, Elderberry Oil

QUICK FACTS

What is Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)?

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), the European black elderberry, is one of the most studied medicinal and nutritional botanicals in the Northern European and Mediterranean traditions, with a well-documented phytochemistry that spans polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, and essential fatty acids depending on which part of the plant is used. At Sweet Chemistry, elderberry contributes in two distinct forms across all four formulas - as a polyphenol-rich fruit extract in the three water-based products, and as an organic seed oil at greater than 5% in the Oil-Serum.

The elderberry fruit extract is among the most anthocyanin-dense of all commercially used berry extracts. Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that give elderberries their characteristic deep purple color, and Sambucus nigra fruit is particularly rich in cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside - two anthocyanin species studied extensively for their free radical scavenging character in aqueous environments. Alongside anthocyanins, elderberry fruit extract contains rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid - a diverse polyphenol profile that contributes meaningfully to the multi-class botanical antioxidant system in the Sweet Chemistry water-based formulas.

The elderberry seed oil, cold-pressed from the seeds remaining after juice production, is a zero-waste by-product source with a fatty acid profile dominated by linoleic acid (approximately 40-50%) and alpha-linolenic acid (approximately 15-25%) - making it another meaningful essential fatty acid contributor to the Oil-Serum's organic botanical lipid panel alongside rosehip, raspberry, sea buckthorn, and pomegranate seed oils.

What does it do for skin?

Elderberry fruit extract's primary contribution is through its anthocyanin and polyphenol antioxidant content. Anthocyanins are water-soluble, highly effective free radical scavengers studied in connection with protecting skin cells from UV-associated and environmental oxidative stress - the external driver of many visible aging markers. Cyanidin-based anthocyanins, which dominate elderberry's profile, are among the more potent anthocyanin species studied in this context. In the Sweet Chemistry water-based formulas, elderberry extract adds botanical polyphenol depth alongside cranberry's proanthocyanidins, green tea's catechins, and raspberry's ellagic acid - each bringing a distinct polyphenol class to the combined antioxidant system.

Quercetin and rutin from elderberry extract have been researched in connection with a more settled skin surface and their association with pathways related to surface inflammatory mediators - research-based associations that are consistent with the soothing and comfort goals of the broader formula. These are studied associations rather than clinical claims, and individual results will vary.

Elderberry seed oil contributes its linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid content to the Oil-Serum's essential fatty acid environment - supporting the barrier-lipid and surface-comfort dimensions of the formula's botanical lipid approach in the same way as the other polyunsaturated seed oils in the same formula.

FOUND IN

In All 4 Formulas

Elderberry is present in every Sweet Chemistry formula - as a polyphenol fruit extract above 1% in all three water-based products, and as an organic seed oil at greater than 5% in the Oil-Serum.

Nourishment - All Skin Types

Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract (Organic, above 1%) - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

The Hydra-Serum delivers organic elderberry fruit extract as part of the eight-botanical antioxidant superfood complex, alongside green tea, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, apple, and amla - all organic and above 1% - in a 40%-active emulsion.

Hydration - Dry to Normal

Elasticity Reinforcing Hydra-Cream Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract (Organic, above 1%) - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

The Hydra-Cream delivers organic elderberry extract within the antioxidant botanical complex alongside 3% Matrikynes® peptides and 2% THD ascorbate in a 40%-active cushioned satin finish.

Hydration - Dry to Dehydrated

Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract (above 1%) - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

In the Lipid-Cream, elderberry extract contributes polyphenol antioxidant support within the richest formula in the lineup alongside shea butter, the full botanical seed oil complex, and 3% Matrikynes® peptides.

Nourishment - Dry to Combination

Barrier Repairing Oil-Serum Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil (Organic, >5%) - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

In the Oil-Serum, organic elderberry seed oil is one of eleven organic botanicals each present at greater than 5% - contributing its linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid profile to the most comprehensive essential fatty acid botanical panel in the Sweet Chemistry system.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

Polyphenol Antioxidant Resveratrol

INCI: Resveratrol.

Present in all three water-based formulas as part of the enzymatic antioxidant trio. Synergy Note: Elderberry's anthocyanins and quercetin operate through flavonoid antioxidant pathways; resveratrol addresses a different polyphenol mechanism via its stilbene structure. Their co-presence broadens the polyphenol antioxidant coverage across multiple compound classes within the same formula.

Botanical Extract Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Leaf Extract

INCI: Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract.

Organic and above 1% in all three water-based formulas as the lead botanical in the antioxidant complex. Synergy Note: Elderberry's cyanidin anthocyanins and green tea's EGCG catechins are studied through different flavonoid subclass pathways - their combined presence creates a richer multi-anthocyanin and catechin antioxidant environment than either botanical alone provides.

Essential Fatty Acid Linoleic Acid

INCI: Linoleic Acid.

Present as a free fatty acid in the Oil-Serum alongside elderberry seed oil's linoleic contribution. Synergy Note: Elderberry seed oil and free linoleic acid together contribute to the Oil-Serum's omega-6 essential fatty acid environment - whole botanical oil delivery combined with isolated free fatty acid delivery covering the barrier lipid need from two formulation routes.

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

At 3% in all four formulas, associated with improvements in the appearance of skin density and aging signs. Synergy Note: Elderberry's polyphenol antioxidant contribution helps maintain the low-oxidative surface environment associated with optimal conditions for Matrikynes® peptide activity across all three water-based formulas.