Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam) root extract
AKA “Wild Yam Root Extract”
Extract
Ingredient Facts
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam) root extract
AKA: Wild Yam Root Extract
Extract · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract is a cosmetic ingredient used as skin conditioning. Rated low hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Dioscoreaceae
Plant Part
Root
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
90147-49-2
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Conditions Skin
Anti-Aging Benefits
Locks In Moisture
Brightens Skin
Softens & Smooths
Traditional Use
Used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine for reproductive and menopausal health. European herbalists adopted wild yam in the 19th century for hormonal balance, though topical cosmetic use is more recent.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Sensitivity
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Final Report on the Amended Safety Assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract (amended - first report not published)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Wild Yam (Dioscorea Villosa) Extract
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract.
Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2023
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract.
Raj PS, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2023
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR