INCI: Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract - Also known as: Açaí Berry Extract, Amazon Palm Berry Extract

QUICK FACTS

What is Acai fruit extract?

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) is the fruit of a palm tree native to the floodplains and swamps of the Amazon basin, and one of the most antioxidant-dense fruits studied in botanical science. Its deep purple-black color is produced by an exceptionally high anthocyanin content - primarily cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, the same cyanidin-based anthocyanins dominant in elderberry and blackberry. Research measuring ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values has consistently placed açaí among the highest-scoring fruits analyzed, reflecting the combined contribution of its anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.

Beyond its anthocyanin content, açaí fruit contains a distinctive combination of nutrients uncommon in most other berries: it is rich in oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6) in addition to polyphenols - a combination of fatty acid and antioxidant nutrition that gives the whole fruit an unusually broad functional profile. While the seed oil form of açaí would deliver the fatty acids most directly, the fruit extract captures both the polyphenol and some of the lipid-adjacent phytochemical content of the whole fruit.

Açaí also contains vanillic acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and protocatechuic acid - a diverse range of phenolic acids that contribute to its antioxidant spectrum alongside the dominant anthocyanins. At Sweet Chemistry, organic Euterpe oleracea fruit extract is present above 1% in all three water-based formulas as one of eight organic botanicals in the antioxidant superfood complex - representing the only Amazonian botanical in a panel otherwise drawn from North American, European, and Asian botanical traditions.

What does it do for skin?

Açaí extract's studied contributions center on its anthocyanin and phenolic acid antioxidant content. Its cyanidin anthocyanins are studied in connection with water-phase free radical scavenging - the same mechanism as elderberry and blackberry's cyanidin profiles, but with a typically higher combined anthocyanin concentration that may translate to stronger per-gram antioxidant activity. Research exploring açaí extract's antioxidant capacity has consistently positioned it among the more potent berry extracts available for cosmetic use.

The phenolic acid content of açaí - including ferulic acid - is of particular interest in the context of a formula also delivering THD ascorbate vitamin C. Ferulic acid is studied in connection with supporting the stability and activity of vitamin C in formulas where both are present, with research exploring its association with enhanced antioxidant performance when co-formulated with ascorbic acid derivatives. While the ferulic acid from açaí extract at below-1% botanical concentrations is a minor contribution compared to dedicated ferulic acid formulations, it adds a meaningful dimension to the botanical antioxidant approach.

The vanillic and protocatechuic acids in açaí are also studied in connection with a more even-looking skin tone - phenolic acids with associated brightening research that complement the tone-related approach of niacinamide, THD ascorbate, and other actives in the same formulas.

In 3 Formulas Above 1%

Organic Euterpe oleracea fruit extract is present above 1% in all three Sweet Chemistry water-based formulas - the only Amazonian botanical in the antioxidant superfood complex, contributing its distinctive anthocyanin and phenolic acid antioxidant profile to every water-based formula.

Nourishment - All Skin Types

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

The Hydra-Serum delivers organic açaí extract within the eight-botanical antioxidant complex alongside green tea, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, apple, and amla in a 40%-active emulsion.

Hydration - Dry to Normal

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

The Hydra-Cream delivers organic açaí extract alongside 3% Matrikynes® peptides and 2% THD ascorbate - the botanical's ferulic acid content working alongside the vitamin C derivative in the same formula.

Hydration - Dry to Dehydrated

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

In the Lipid-Cream, açaí extract contributes its anthocyanin and phenolic acid antioxidant profile within the richest formula in the lineup, alongside the full botanical oil complex and 3% Matrikynes® peptides.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

Stable Vitamin C THD Ascorbate

INCI: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.

At 2% in both creams and 7% in the Oil-Serum. Synergy Note: Açaí's ferulic acid content has been studied in connection with supporting vitamin C stability and activity in co-formulations. In the Hydra-Cream and Lipid-Cream, açaí extract and THD ascorbate appear in the same formula - the botanical ferulic acid adding a research-based association with enhanced vitamin C performance.

Botanical Extract Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) Fruit Extract

INCI: Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract.

Organic above 1% in all three water-based formulas. Synergy Note: Açaí and elderberry both feature cyanidin-based anthocyanins as their dominant anthocyanin class - their combined presence reinforces the cyanidin antioxidant dimension of the botanical complex, while açaí's additional phenolic acid breadth adds further antioxidant diversity. 

Polyphenol Antioxidant Resveratrol

INCI: Resveratrol.

Present in all three water-based formulas as part of the enzymatic antioxidant trio. Synergy Note: Açaí's anthocyanins and phenolic acids address multiple polyphenol antioxidant pathways; resveratrol adds the stilbene pathway. Together they contribute to a broadly multi-class botanical and enzymatic polyphenol antioxidant approach.

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

At 3% in all four formulas. Synergy Note: Açaí's polyphenol antioxidant character contributes to the low-oxidative surface environment associated with favorable conditions for Matrikynes® peptide activity in all three water-based formulas.