Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract
シークヮーサー果実エキス (Shīkuwāsā kajitsu ekisu)
Also known as: Shikuwasa Extract
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | シークヮーサー果実エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | シークヮーサー果実エキス, シークワーサーエキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Citrus depressa, Okinawan flat lemon) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Antioxidant, Fragrance |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. Also widely consumed as a food (juice) under the Food Sanitation Act. |
Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa) is a small green citrus native to the Okinawa and Amami islands of southern Japan. The fruit is famously high in nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid that has received research attention for its antioxidant profile. In cosmetics, shikuwasa extract brings citrus character with a distinctive subtropical provenance.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Face toners and essences
- Body washes
- Hair and scalp products
What it is
Citrus depressa fruit extract is produced by water, hydro-alcoholic, or glycol extraction of Citrus depressa fruit — typically combining peel and pulp. The extract contains citric acid, polyphenols including nobiletin and tangeretin, and trace essential oil components.
Nobiletin is sometimes isolated and supplied as a separate ingredient, positioned particularly in the functional food and supplement categories rather than cosmetics.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In Japanese cosmetics, shikuwasa extract appears in face toners, body washes, and hair products. The Okinawan provenance gives the ingredient a specific regional positioning distinct from mainland Japanese citrus ingredients like yuzu.
As a beverage (shikuwasa juice) and culinary flavoring, the same fruit is a defining taste of Okinawan cuisine and is broadly exported. Beverage and cosmetic applications are regulated under separate frameworks.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex under シークヮーサー果実エキス and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.
Nobiletin in isolated form has been notified under Japan's Foods with Function Claims (機能性表示食品) system for some functional applications — check the Consumer Affairs Agency database for specific notifications.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract is listed in CosIng and permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Suppliers should verify the specific preparation against IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted as a cosmetic ingredient under the KFDA / MFDS system. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — シークヮーサー果実エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.