Hordeum vulgare extract
AKA “Barley
Extract
Ingredient Facts
Hordeum vulgare extract
AKA: Barley
Extract · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Not Clean
Hordeum Vulgare Extract is an extract of the cereal grass of the Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., Graminae
Family
Poaceae (Grass family)
Plant Part
Whole Plant
Lifeform
Annual
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
85251-64-5
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Common barley was traditionally used in European folk medicine and skincare for its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties. Used in medieval beauty preparations for complexion improvement.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2026
Safety Assessment of Barley-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Seed Flour
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Cocoyl Barley Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR