Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract Mauvais Irritant No known benefits Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract at a glance Also called guarana seed extract Native to the Amazon Has beneficial phenolic compounds Also constricts skin Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract description _Paullinia cupana_ seed extract comes from a plant native to the Amazon more commonly known as guarana. Long used in traditional medicines, guarana is perhaps best known for having twice the concentration of caffeine as coffee beans, hence its popularity as a stimulant additive in energy drinks. When it comes to guarana seed extract’s benefits for skin, research is mixed. It’s a source of phenolic compounds that exert antioxidant properties (like most plants), fighting free-radical damage that leads to visible signs of aging. Unfortunately, while its high caffeine content has a temporary constricting effect on skin, that constriction over time can harm skin, making it an ingredient to steer clear of when searching for skin care products. The constricting effect may temporarily smooth wrinkles, but there are other ingredients, such as peptides, that do this without irritation. Related ingredients: Caffeine