Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Prunus Yedoensis Flower Extract
サクラ花エキス (Sakura-hana ekisu)
Also known as: Sakura Extract, Cherry Blossom Extract
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Prunus Yedoensis Flower Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | サクラ花エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | サクラ花エキス, 桜花エキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Prunus × yedoensis, Somei-Yoshino cherry) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Fragrance, Antioxidant |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. Salt-preserved cherry blossoms are separately used as a food ingredient (sakura-yu, sakura-mochi) under the Food Sanitation Act. |
The cherry blossom — sakura — is Japan's most iconic floral motif, and Prunus × yedoensis (Somei-Yoshino) is the most widely planted ornamental cherry variety. Sakura flower extract has a dedicated presence in Japanese cosmetics, particularly in seasonal spring product releases built around cherry-blossom imagery.
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 and bath products
- Hand and body lotions
- Limited-edition spring products
What it is
Prunus yedoensis flower extract is produced by water, hydro-alcoholic, or glycol extraction of Prunus × yedoensis flowers — typically harvested at peak bloom. The extract contains flavonoids, phenolic glycosides including quercitrin derivatives, and trace aromatic compounds.
The fragrant character of actual cherry blossom is subtle; most "sakura"-scented finished products use a constructed fragrance blend rather than extract-driven aroma. The extract itself is used primarily for its botanical and seasonal associations.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In Japanese cosmetics, sakura flower extract appears in limited-edition spring products — toners, body washes, lotions, hand creams, bath additives — marketed around cherry-blossom season (March to April). Some year-round SKUs include the ingredient as a core floral note.
Salt-preserved sakura blossoms (桜の塩漬け) and sakura leaves (Cherry Leaf Extract / Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract) are separately used in food and cosmetic contexts. The leaf extract and the flower extract are handled as distinct ingredients.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex under サクラ花エキス and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng under the INCI name Prunus Yedoensis Flower Extract. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Permitted per 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.
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Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — サクラ花エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Prunus Yedoensis Flower Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.