Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Reviewed by Kate · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Ginseng, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root
Saponins from ginseng that have gone through hydrolysis | Have antioxidant properties
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins?
Hydrolyzed ginseng saponins are the saponins (a type of sugar-bound compound found in a wide range of plant species) from the Panax ginseng plant that have gone through a chemical change through exposure to enzymes, acids, or water.
Although hydrolyzed ginseng saponins have antioxidant properties, their primary value in leave-on cosmetics is an emollient skin-conditioning ingredient.
At the time of this writing, the independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review has investigated the safety of hydrolyzed ginseng saponins as used in cosmetics, but at the time of its review, they were not in wide enough usage to get verifiable data. The sole cosmetic supplier of this ingredient lists its use level as “unlimited”, which is unusual and most likely ill-advised until we have more robust safety data.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Cosmile Europe, Accessed April 2023, Website [https://cosmileeurope.eu/inci/detail/6865/hydrolyzed-ginseng-saponins]
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Health Canada, Accessed April 2023, Website [https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-hotlist-prohibited-restricted-ingredients/hotlist.html]
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Journal of Ginseng Research, January 2023, pages 14-23 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845322000926]
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International Journal of Toxicology, November-December 2015, pages 5S-42S [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1091581815610508]
Frequently Asked Questions
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