Antioxidant

Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract

INCI: Silybum Marianum Extract

Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 18 Aug 2026

Also known as: Silybum Marianum Seed Oil

Silymarin marianum is a plant whose many components,

What Is Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract?

Silymarin marianum is a plant whose many components, primarily a flavanolignan chemical known as silymarin, have pronounced antioxidant and skin-calming ability. Silymarin occurs in milk thistle fruit and seeds, and helps shield skin from the visible effects of UV light exposure (of course, you still need a broad spectrum sunscreen).

Silymarin also has research on its role in interrupting pathways in skin that lead to discolourations on skin’s surface, while that and other compounds in milk thistle seem, at least in a lab setting, to have an inhibitory effect on enzymes that degrade collagen. In short, it’s an impressive antioxidant to see in skin care products, particularly those that address environmental stressors.

Clinical Evidence & References

  • Molecules, March 2019, ePublication View Study
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, August 2018, pages 263-270 View Study
  • Archives of Dermatological Research, July 2018, pages 413-424 View Study
  • Pharmaceutical Biology, March 2013, pages 298-303 View Study
  • International Journal of Oncology, May 2010, pages 1,053-1,060 View Study

From the Clinic

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Part of a family

Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract is a variant of Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.

Plant extract traditionally used to support skin conditioning and antioxidant activity

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