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Wild Bilberry Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (color fades)
☑ Cosmetics (natural purple tint) — full dual-use ingredient
Wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus, the European blueberry) is a small, intensely pigmented berry that grows on heathland across Northern Europe. Unlike cultivated blueberries, bilberries are blue-purple throughout, and their extract is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins — fifteen or more distinct delphinidin, cyanidin, malvidin, petunidin, and peonidin glycosides — alongside vitamin C, phenolic acids, tannins, and resveratrol [1, 2]. In human keratinocytes, bilberry extract reduced UVA- and UVB-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death [3, 4], and its anthocyanins are potent inhibitors of the collagen-degrading enzymes and inflammatory pathways driving photoaging. Traditionally used for capillary health and eye strain, bilberry translates to skincare as an antioxidant, capillary-supporting, brightening botanical for every ORY® line, with a natural purple tint for cosmetics.
What is Wild Bilberry Extract made of?
Wild bilberry extract is prepared from ripe berries by juicing, water/glycerin or hydro-alcoholic extraction, or freeze-drying, and standardized to anthocyanins (commonly 25% or 36% anthocyanosides). Constituents [1, 2]:
- Anthocyanins (delphinidin, cyanidin, malvidin, petunidin, peonidin glycosides): Potent antioxidants; UV-protective, anti-inflammatory, capillary-strengthening; blue-purple color.
- Vitamin C: Antioxidant, collagen cofactor, brightening.
- Phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic) and flavonols (quercetin): Antioxidant.
- Tannins (proanthocyanidins): Mild astringency; antimicrobial.
- Resveratrol and pterostilbene (traces): Anti-aging stilbenes.
- Fruit acids and sugars: Mild humectancy and exfoliation.
- Bilberry seed oil (separate): Omega-3/6-rich emollient.
What skin type is best suited for Wild Bilberry Extract?
Wild bilberry suits all seven ORY® skin types as an antioxidant and capillary-supporting botanical:
- Mature: Protects keratinocytes from UV damage [3, 4]; anthocyanins inhibit collagen-degrading enzymes.
- Sensitive: Capillary-strengthening anthocyanins for redness-prone and rosacea-prone skin; anti-inflammatory.
- Combination: Antioxidant and brightening serums.
- Normal: Daily environmental defense.
- Dry: Extract in creams with bilberry seed oil.
- Oily: Water-based extract with mild astringency.
- Acne-prone: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial tannins; fades marks.
What hair type is best suited for Wild Bilberry Extract?
Bilberry protects hair and scalp from oxidative stress:
- Color-treated: Anthocyanin antioxidants protect against UV and oxidative fading; purple tint helps neutralize brassiness in blonde/grey formulas.
- Mature or thinning: Antioxidant scalp support; capillary support for microcirculation (cosmetic claims only).
- Sensitive scalp: Anti-inflammatory support.
- Dry or damaged: Antioxidant plus seed oil conditioning.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial tannin support.
- Straight, wavy, curly, coily, oily scalp: Antioxidant addition for all.
What are the benefits of Wild Bilberry Extract?
Wild bilberry’s benefits are supported by cell studies and phytochemical reviews [1–4]:
- Antioxidant: Among the highest anthocyanin contents of any fruit; potent radical scavenging [1, 2].
- UV protection: Reduced UVA/UVB-induced oxidative damage, DNA damage, and apoptosis in human keratinocytes [3, 4].
- Anti-aging: Anthocyanins inhibit MMP enzymes and support collagen; vitamin C cofactor.
- Capillary support: Traditional and pharmacological evidence for strengthening microvessels — relevant to redness and dark circles.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammatory mediators.
- Brightening: Vitamin C and phenolics even tone.
- Antimicrobial: Proanthocyanidins inhibit skin bacteria.
- Natural color: Blue-purple tint for cosmetics; brass-neutralizing purple in haircare.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Wild bilberry extract is water-soluble and fits all four ORY® lines; anthocyanin color survives only in cool, acidic, light-protected products.
Pros and cons of Wild Bilberry Extract
Pros
Cons
- Exceptional anthocyanin content: [1, 2].
- Human-cell UV-protection evidence: [3, 4].
- Capillary and dark-circle positioning: Distinctive eye-care angle.
- Natural berry tint: Dye-free purple.
- Wild-harvested, sustainable: Nordic heritage.
- Color instability: Anthocyanins fade in light, heat, and alkaline pH; brown in soap.
- Limited topical human trials: Evidence is cell-based and traditional.
- Cost: Standardized wild bilberry is premium.
- Staining: Concentrated extract tints skin and fabric temporarily.
- Rare allergy: Patch test.
What is the best application of Wild Bilberry Extract?
Wild bilberry is a daily antioxidant and an eye-care specialist:
- Antioxidant serum: AM under SPF with vitamin C and green tea.
- Eye cream: For dark circles, puffiness, and fragile capillaries.
- Redness-calming cream: With Centella and bisabolol.
- Brightening mask: Weekly berry mask.
- Toner: Antioxidant refresh.
- Purple shampoo/conditioner: Brass control for blonde and grey hair.
- Scalp serum: Antioxidant support.
- Soap: Bilberry bar (color-assisted).
- Cosmetics: Berry lip tint; under-eye concealer with bilberry.
Peer-reviewed references
- Chu W, Cheung SCM, Lau RAW, Benzie IFF. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 4.
- Bujor OC, Le Bourvellec C, Volf I, Popa VI, Dufour C. Seasonal variations of the phenolic constituents in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves, stems and fruits, and their antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry. 2016;213:58–68.
- Svobodová A, Rambousková J, Walterová D, Vostálová J. Bilberry extract reduces UVA-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes: a pilot study. BioFactors. 2008;33(4):249–266.
- Calò R, Marabini L. Protective effect of Vaccinium myrtillus extract against UVA- and UVB-induced damage in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2014;132:27–35.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about wild bilberry extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including rosacea, redness, dark circles caused by medical conditions, fragile capillaries, sun damage, acne, or dandruff. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Concentrated bilberry extract can stain skin and fabric temporarily, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
