Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
サンショウ果実エキス (Sanshō kajitsu ekisu)
Also known as: Sansho Extract, Japanese Pepper Extract
Looking for a Japanese supplier of Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract? Tell usAt a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | サンショウ果実エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | サンショウ果実エキス, 山椒エキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Zanthoxylum piperitum, Japanese pepper) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Warming sensation, Fragrance |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. Also widely used as a food / seasoning ingredient separately under the Food Sanitation Act. |
Sansho (Zanthoxylum piperitum) is the Japanese pepper. The citrus-spicy fruit is a defining seasoning in Japanese cuisine — the finishing pepper for unagi, the central note of shichimi tōgarashi — and carries a distinctive tingling mouthfeel attributed to hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. In cosmetics, the fruit extract is used primarily for its warming sensation and fragrance properties.
Find OEM manufacturers
Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Body and massage products
- Scalp lotions
- Lip care
- Culinary products (as food ingredient)
Ingredient profile
Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract is produced by extraction of the dried mature fruit pericarp of Zanthoxylum piperitum. The extract contains sanshool-family alkylamides, geraniol, citronellal, and terpene constituents that together produce the characteristic tingling-citrus profile.
Sansho is distinct from the related Chinese pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum, hua jiao), both botanically and in its sensory profile. The two species should not be treated as interchangeable on ingredient labels.
OEM applications
In cosmetics, sansho extract appears in scalp lotions, massage products, lip care with warming positioning, and some body products. The warming sensation is distinct from capsaicin-based warming; sansho's tingling tends to be subtler and more localized.
The food use of sansho — shichimi seasoning, finishing grinds for grilled dishes — is entirely separate regulatorily and culturally from cosmetic use.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex under サンショウ果実エキス and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.
As a food ingredient, sansho is regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Food-grade and cosmetic-grade preparations are handled separately.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng under the INCI name Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Suppliers should verify the specific preparation against current IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted as a cosmetic ingredient under the KFDA / MFDS system. |
Market reference formulations
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.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract?
- Sansho (Zanthoxylum piperitum) is the Japanese pepper. The citrus-spicy fruit is a defining seasoning in Japanese cuisine — the finishing pepper for unagi, the central note of shichimi tōgarashi — and carries a distinctive tingling mouthfeel attributed to hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. In cosmetics, the fruit extract is used primarily for its warming sensation and fragrance properties.
- What is the regulatory status of Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract in Japan?
- Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. Also widely used as a food / seasoning ingredient separately under the Food Sanitation Act.
- What products typically use Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract?
- Body and massage products / Scalp lotions / Lip care / Culinary products (as food ingredient)
- Where does Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract come from?
- Plant-derived (Zanthoxylum piperitum, Japanese pepper)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract?
- INCI: Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract / JSCI: サンショウ果実エキス
Explore related ingredients
Used in similar product applications
Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. Is Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract a recognized INCI ingredient?
Yes, the ingredient is listed in the CosIng database under the INCI name 'Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract' as a skin-conditioning ingredient. It is regulated as a general cosmetic ingredient in Japan and the EU.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — INCI: Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Q. What sensitization or irritation profile should formulators expect?
Sansho contains tingling-active alkylamides (sanshool family) that can produce a localized warming/numbing sensation; this requires conservative dosing and consumer-tested final formulations. Patch-testing with target-region populations is recommended before market launch.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- PubChem — α-Sanshool / hydroxy-α-sanshool entries
Q. What maximum use level is typical in finished cosmetic products?
Most leave-on cosmetic formulations dose sansho extract at 0.05–0.5% to balance the perceived warming/tingling sensation against tolerability. Higher levels are typically reserved for rinse-off or spot-application formats like massage balms.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese formulation practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Are there cross-regulatory issues if the same supplier sells food-grade and cosmetic-grade sansho?
Food-grade sansho (Food Sanitation Act) and cosmetic-grade extracts (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act) are regulated under separate frameworks, with different processing, residue, and labeling standards. Buyers should request a cosmetic-grade specification sheet, COA, and allergen statement specific to cosmetic use.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMD Act) — Cosmetic chapter
- Food Sanitation Act of Japan
Use cases
Scalp tonic / hair growth-themed lotion
- Positioning
- Warming-sensation scalp care for men's grooming
- Typical usage level
- 0.05–0.3%
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese men's scalp-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Massage balm / body warming gel
- Positioning
- Athletic/winter warming massage product
- Formulation notes
- Typically blended with menthol, ginger, or capsicum for layered sensory experience
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese sports-care category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Lip plumper / lip care
- Positioning
- Tingle-effect lip product for color cosmetics range
Sources
- Industry knowledge — color cosmetics formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Search the academic literature
Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.
Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — サンショウ果実エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.