White Oak Bark Extract Bad Plant extracts Anti-Ageing White Oak Bark Extract at a glance Often part of a cosmetic blend with glycerin Has antioxidant properties Also an astringent Tannin content can lead to skin irritation White Oak Bark Extract description White oak bark extract comes from a tree known taxonomically as Quercus alba that is native to eastern and central North America. While not a commonly used cosmetic ingredient, white oak bark extract does appear in some formulations, usually in an ingredient blend that pairs it with glycerin. While white oak bark does have some positive attributes for skin thanks to its natural antioxidant properties, it’s not the best choice for anti-aging primarily due to its tannin content. This high tannin content is the reason it is also marketed as an astringent, but over time that astringency can lead to irritation that can damage skin’s barrier. Until additional research demonstrates otherwise, there’s no reason to seek out this ingredient when there are numerous plant-based alternatives that don’t pose a risk of skin irritation. Related ingredients: Quercus Robur (Oak) Root Extract Quercus Alba Bark Extract