ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare (strengthening; silica tradition)
☑ Handmade Soap (powder/infused oil; gentle exfoliant)
☑ Cosmetics (nail and lash products) — full dual-use botanical
Horsetail is a living fossil — a fern relative whose hollow, jointed stems are the richest plant source of silica (up to 25% of dry weight as silicic acid), the mineral traditionally credited with strengthening hair, nails, and connective tissue. Its extract also carries flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin glycosides), phenolic acids, and saponins with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antimicrobial activity reviewed in the pharmacological literature [1]. Clinically, a horsetail ointment reduced wound pain and improved healing in a randomized placebo-controlled trial [2], and oral silicon supplementation improved hair tensile strength and thickness in women with fine hair [3] — evidence that supports (though does not directly prove) horsetail’s topical hair-and-nail tradition. Astringent and toning, it suits oily skin, weak hair and nails, and fits all four ORY® lines.
What is Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense) made of?
Horsetail extract is prepared from dried sterile stems by water/glycerin or hydro-alcoholic extraction; the powder and infused oil are alternative forms. Constituents [1]:
- Silicic acid / silica (5–25% dry weight): Water-soluble in extracts; traditional strengthening mineral for hair and nails.
- Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin glycosides): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, capillary-supporting.
- Phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic), tannins: Astringent, antimicrobial.
- Saponins (equisetonin), sterols: Mild cleansing and anti-inflammatory.
- Trace nicotine and thiaminase (relevant to oral use only): No topical concern.
- Use 1–5% extract; 1–2 tsp powder per lb in soap; pH 4–7.
What skin type is best suited for Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)?
Horsetail suits oily, combination, and mature skin best:
- Oily: Astringent tannins tone and reduce shine.
- Combination: Toning masks and toners.
- Mature: Silica and flavonoids support firmness; antioxidant.
- Acne-prone: Antimicrobial and astringent; supports healing [2].
- Normal: Toning maintenance.
- Sensitive: Anti-inflammatory flavonoids at low levels; patch test.
- Dry: Low levels only (astringent).
What hair type is best suited for Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)?
Horsetail is the classic strengthening botanical for weak, fine, and breaking hair:
- Dry or damaged: Silica and flavonoids support strength and reduce breakage (traditional; oral-silicon evidence [3]).
- Mature or thinning: Strengthening scalp tonics and shampoos; oily-scalp astringency.
- Oily scalp: Astringent, balancing.
- Straight and wavy: Body and strength in rinses.
- Curly and coily: Strengthening rinse; follow with moisture.
- Color-treated: Reinforces weakened hair.
- Sensitive and dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory support.
What are the benefits of Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)?
Horsetail’s benefits are supported by pharmacological review, a randomized wound trial, and silicon research [1–3]:
- Hair and nail strengthening (traditional): Silica; oral silicon improved hair strength and thickness [3].
- Wound healing: Horsetail ointment improved healing and reduced pain in a randomized trial [2].
- Astringent and toning: Tannins refine oily skin and scalp.
- Antioxidant: Flavonoids and phenolic acids [1].
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces irritation [1].
- Antimicrobial: Skin and scalp microbes [1].
- Nail care: Traditional brittle-nail remedy.
- Soap: Green powder for color and gentle exfoliation.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Horsetail serves all four ORY® lines as extract, powder, or infused oil.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Toners, masks, oily-skin serums, firming creams, nail and cuticle treatments. |
1–5% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Strengthening shampoos, conditioners, scalp tonics, rinses. |
1–5% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Powder at trace (green flecks, gentle scrub) or infused oil. |
1–2 tsp per lb; 5–10% infused oil |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Nail strengtheners, lash and brow serums, mattifying primers. |
0.5–2% |
Pros and cons of Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)
Pros
Cons
- Richest plant silica: Hair and nail tradition [3].
- Randomized wound-healing trial: [2].
- Astringent for oily skin/scalp: Toning.
- Four-line utility: All ORY® products.
- Affordable: Widely available.
- Topical hair evidence is traditional: Silicon data are oral; claims stay cosmetic.
- Astringency: Drying for dry skin.
- Species confusion: Use E. arvense only (not marsh horsetail, E. palustre).
- Color: Green-brown tint.
- Rare allergy: Patch test.
What is the best application of Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)?
Horsetail is a toning and strengthening addition:
- Strengthening shampoo or tonic: 2–3% with nettle and rosemary.
- Hair rinse: Cooled horsetail tea after shampooing.
- Toner for oily skin: 3%.
- Firming mask: 3–5% with clay.
- Nail and cuticle serum: 2%.
- Soap: 1–2 tsp powder per lb.
- Cosmetics: 1% in lash/brow serum.
Peer-reviewed references
- Sandhu NS, Kaur S, Chopra D. Equisetum arvense: pharmacology and phytochemistry – a review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 2010;3(3):146–150.
- Asgharikhatooni A, Bani S, Hasanpoor S, Mohammad Alizade S, Javadzadeh Y. The effect of Equisetum arvense (horse tail) ointment on wound healing and pain intensity after episiotomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2015;17(3):e25637.
- Wickett RR, Kossmann E, Barel A, et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2007;299(10):499–505.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about horsetail extract (Equisetum arvense) 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 eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. 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. Allergy to horsetail is uncommon. 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].
