Horsetail
AKA “Equisetum arvense, Horsetail extract, Shavegrass”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Horsetail
AKA: Equisetum arvense, Horsetail extract, Shavegrass
Ingredient · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Horsetail is a cosmetic ingredient.
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.
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Valued in European folk medicine for its high silica content, traditionally used to strengthen nails, hair, and connective tissue. Referenced in traditional herbalism for centuries as a skin-fortifying plant.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Skin Protectant
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Diagnostic approach to anaphylaxis by carrot, related vegetables and horsetail (Equisetum arvense) in a homemaker.
Agustìn-Ubide MP, Martinez-Cócera C, Alonso-Llamazares A, Robledo T, Lombardero M et al.
Allergy, 2004
Safety Assessment of <I>Equisetum arvense</I>-derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Equisetum Arvense Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Equisetum Arvense Juice
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Powder
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Equisetum Arvense Powder
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Equisetum Arvense Horsetail Leaf Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense)
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR