Ginkgo biloba is a mixed bag for skin. Direct contact with the tree itself can trigger allergic reactions (redness, blistering, swelling) because of compounds called ginkgolic acids. But ginkgo leaf extract—the form used in skincare and supplements—shows promise and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, though more safety research is needed.

This was a literature review published in the dermatology journal Cutis, examining what's known about ginkgo biloba and skin health based on existing research.

Funding not disclosed in abstract