Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract (Pollux CD) in Skin Care
Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract is a plant derived antiaging cosmeceutical ingredient that has shown to protect the skin from the effects of air pollution. It is also called Pollux CD.
It is found in antiaging wrinkle creams, especially those meant to protect skin from pollution and increase autophagy.
Take our free quiz to find out if this ingredient is right for your skin type!
Plant derived natural ingredient
Crepidiastrum Denticulatum is a plant native to parts of Asia, including Korea and China. It grows in mountainous regions. The leaves and stems of the plant are used to make the extract. It is a natural ingredient that may be considered organic if grown following organic farming standards.
Diet
It has been in the diet of Koreans for many years. The young leaves are consumed as a vegetable.
Topical Use
This water soluble plant derived ingredient is found in antiaging creams.
Skin Care Products
This is one of the most exciting new antiaging ingredients in 2023 and it is so new that it is not in very many products yet. We will continue to add products here as they come out. These are the medical grade brands that have Pollux CD:
Benefits
With its unique cellular effects, Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract offers several benefits for skin. These benefits make it a great antiaging cream to begin in your 20s and 30s to help protect your skin.
Anti-aging: By stimulating autophagy and protecting against free radicals, it can help prevent signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots.
Anti-inflammatory: Research showed it decreases inflammatory chemicals like interleukin-6, reducing redness and irritation.
Pollution protection: It shields skin cells from toxins found in urban pollution like cigarette smoke and heavy metals. This prevents damage from environmental factors.
Antioxidant: Its natural plant compounds scavenge free radicals, supporting the skin's defense system.
The antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory activity are the reasons this is an exciting new antiaging skin care ingredient. It helps treat and prevent aging because it:
- Increases autophagy (1,2)
- Decreases cellular senescence(1)
- Neutralizes free radicals (3,4)
- Decreases inflammation
The unique tissue-regenerating and protective effects of Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract make it an intriguing ingredient for anti-aging and anti-pollution skin care products. Its plant-based compounds work at the cellular level to promote youthful, healthy skin.
- It activates autophagy, the cell's natural garbage disposal. This clears out toxins and damage that accumulate over time.
- It limits inflammation by reducing inflammatory proteins like COX-2. This calms irritation.
- It protects fibroblasts and keratinocytes from pollution-related chemicals like heavy metals and PAHs. This prevents toxicity from urban environments.
- It acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals from UV exposure and other stressors. This prevents oxidative damage.
Chemistry
The key active compounds in Crepidiastrum denticulatum extract are flavonoids and other polyphenols.
Specific flavonoids found in the extract include quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin. These flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the skin.
In addition to flavonoids, the extract contains phenolic acids like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. It also provides sesquiterpene lactones which are anti-microbial. The combination of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and sesquiterpenes give Crepidiastrum denticulatum extract well-rounded active properties to benefit aging or at risk skin.
Safety
The EWG and CIR have not examined any safety data on this ingredient when used topially.
It has been used in studies to show it can protect the liver from alcohol damage and the kidneys from reperfusion injury. These all suggest that this ingredient is safe.
Research Studies
A recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2) looked at how Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract works on skin cells. The researchers found that it increased autophagy in fibroblasts, which are cells in the dermis. It also protected the fibroblasts from damage caused by pollution chemicals. And it decreased inflammation in keratinocytes, which are cells in the epidermis.
Autophagy:
In this study, they screened the autophagic activators from various plant extracts of family Compositae. Among them, CD extract showed increased the LC3 protein synthesis and LC3 cleavage with activating the phosphorylation of AMPK and beclin1 that are critical components in the regulation of autophagy.
Pollution protection:
It is known that pyrene and benzopyrene(BaP), which are poly-aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH), have the highest carcinogenicity and toxicity among the environmental pollutants. The treatment of CD extract recovered cell viability from BaP-induced cytotoxicity. In particular, the improvement of cell recovery was found to be superior than that of resveratrol, a typical autophagic activator.
Dr. Leslie Baumann MD, FAAD
Why is Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract used in skincare?
Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract is a plant-based skincare ingredient derived from a leafy green vegetable traditionally eaten in Korea. It's rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect the skin from environmental stressors. You’ll often see it in Korean made serums, sunscreens, and anti-aging moisturizers because it helps improve skin health and resilience.
Is Crepidiastrum Denticulatum good for aging skin?
Yes! It’s one of the most exciting new anti-aging skincare ingredients! It activates autophagy- a natural process that helps skin cells remove damaged parts and function better. It also helps fight pollution-induced skin aging , including damage from car exhaust, heavy metals, and airborne toxins. It reduces signs of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which accelerate wrinkles and loss of firmness. This is why it is used in wrinkle prevention creams.
This makes it ideal for aging skin and anyone concerned with dullness, sagging, or pollution-related skin damage.
Is Crepidiastrum Extract safe for sensitive skin?
Yes—Crepidiastrum is non-irritating and rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like luteolin and quercetin. It may help calm redness, sensitivity, and environmental irritation. However, as with any new plant derived ingredient- it’s smart to do a patch test if you have a history of allergies.
Which skin types benefit most from Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract?
It’s especially helpful for skin types that show signs of aging, inflammation, or pigmentation. According to the Baumann Skin Type System , this includes:
Aging-prone types like DRNT, DRNW, and DSNW
Sensitive skin types like OSNW and DSNT
Pigmentation-prone types like ORPW and DSPW
It works well in layered skincare routines with barrier repair moisturizers and pollution-shielding sunscreens.
What products contain Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract?
Zerafite Wrinkle Defense Serum combines crepidiastrum denticulatum with niacinamide and other antiaging ingredients. It is formulated for dry skin.
Best References and Scientific Publications on Crepidiastrum Denticulatum extract:
- Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
- Yoon, S. J., Lim, C. J., Chung, H. J., Kim, J. H., Huh, Y. H., Park, K., & Jeong, S. (2019). Autophagy activation by crepidiastrum denticulatum extract attenuates environmental pollutant-induced damage in dermal fibroblasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(3), 517.
- Ahn, H. R., Lee, H. J., Kim, K. A., Kim, C. Y., Nho, C. W., Jang, H., ... & Jung, S. H. (2014). Hydroxycinnamic acids in Crepidiastrum denticulatum protect oxidative stress-induced retinal damage. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 62(6), 1310-1323.
- Yoo, J. H., Kang, K., Yun, J. H., Kim, M. A., & Nho, C. W. (2014). Crepidiastrum denticulatum extract protects the liver against chronic alcohol-induced damage and fat accumulation in rats. Journal of medicinal food, 17(4), 432-438.
- Kim, J. S., Jang, H. J., Jeong, E. K., Kim, S. S., Kim, Y. M., Lee, J. H., ... & Eom, D. W. (2018, May). Crepidiastrum denticulatum extract ameliorates kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. In Transplantation proceedings (Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 1160-1166). Elsevier.
- JUNG, S., AHN, H., LEE, H., KIM, C., KANG, K., & NHO, C. (2012). Protective effects of Crepidiastrum denticulatum on oxidative stress?induced retinal degeneration. Acta Ophthalmologica, 90.
- Yoon, S., Lim, C., Kor, M., & Park, K. (2017). 899 Crepidiastrum denticulatum, a new autophagy activator, protects BaP-induced cytotoxicity. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137(5), S155.
- Hao, D. C., Lyu, H. Y., Wang, F., & Xiao, P. G. (2023). Evaluating potentials of species rich taxonomic groups in cosmetics and dermatology: Clustering and dispersion of skin efficacy of Asteraceae and Ranunculales plants on the species phylogenetic tree. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 24(2), 279-298.
