Green anise extract reduces fine lines by boosting collagen, preventing glycation, and hydrating deeply. Derived from Backhousia anisata, it’s a potent botanical used in modern anti-aging skincare.
Green anise extract has quietly become one of skincare’s most effective tools against fine lines. With its antioxidant power and anti-glycation benefits, it’s ideal for skin showing early signs of aging.
KarinaNYC incorporates this extract into personalized routines that actually work, without hype.
If you’re serious about smoother, more radiant skin, this guide will show you how to use green anise extract properly and avoid common mistakes. Let’s get into it.
This Gentle Botanical Tackles Fine Lines Beautifully
Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it works. But green anise extract? It does. I use it myself, and I’ve seen the results firsthand, especially for clients struggling with fine lines.
Sourced from Backhousia anisata, this Australian plant is packed with antioxidants like quercetin and ellagic acid that calm inflammation, boost collagen, and slow down the breakdown that leads to wrinkles.
What sets green anise apart is how it's extracted. We only work with versions processed using a water/glycerin method, no harsh solvents, which keeps the actives potent and skin-friendly. We store it cold at KarinaNYC to maintain stability and performance.
That matters, especially when you're targeting signs of aging like dehydration, dullness, and texture changes. Clients in their 40s, 50s, even 60s notice their skin looks brighter and bouncier within weeks.
This is not the same as star anise oil. The extract is gentle, fragrance-free, and safe even on sensitive or post-procedure skin. It hydrates, supports elasticity, and fights glycation, the sugar damage that stiffens collagen.
I call it a quiet hero: not buzzy, not hyped, just consistently effective when used correctly.
The Anti-Aging Benefits of Green Anise You Should Know
If you’ve ever wondered why some skin ages gracefully and some doesn’t, it almost always comes down to collagen and inflammation. That’s exactly where green anise extract shines.
It Stimulates Natural Collagen Production
If you’ve ever wondered why some skin ages gracefully and some doesn’t, it usually comes down to collagen loss. Green anise extract helps your skin make more of its own collagen, the kind that gives skin firmness and structure.
I’ve seen clients over 50 dramatically soften crow’s feet by pairing this with Creme Biofixine. When skin has that internal support, fine lines become less visible.
It’s A Powerful Antioxidant For City Skin
Green anise is a quiet but strong antioxidant. It fights oxidative stress caused by pollution, UV, stress, and poor sleep, things that show up as tired, dull, aging skin.
For my New York clients especially, this is a must-have. It defends your skin daily and helps it look fresher and more radiant over time.
It Deeply Hydrates And Softens Lines
This extract is hydrophilic, meaning it binds to water and helps lock it into your skin. That’s key for softening those fine, etched-in lines. I always explain it this way: dry skin is like a raisin, hydrated skin is a grape.
Green anise keeps you plump, in the best way.
It Strengthens The Skin Barrier
For anyone with sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin, green anise is gold. I use it post-laser, post-flight, and post-facial to help calm inflammation and support recovery.
It strengthens the skin barrier without being greasy, which makes it ideal for layering under treatments or makeup.
It Improves Tone, Texture, And Pore Appearance
Over time, this ingredient brings back that luminous, “bouncy” quality to your skin. Pores appear tighter, tone becomes more even, and skin just looks healthier.
Whether it’s in a facial at KarinaNYC or part of your at-home routine, it works. Not a trendy miracle, just a smart, consistent performer.
What Not To Mix With Green Anise Extract
Green anise is gentle, but that doesn’t mean it plays well with every ingredient. To make it work for your skin (and not against it), here’s what to avoid:
❌ Strong Acids (AHAs/BHAs)
These exfoliants are powerful but can overwhelm the skin when used alongside green anise. Both encourage renewal, but together they may cause irritation or barrier disruption.
Karina’s Tip: Use acids and green anise on alternate nights, especially if your skin needs healing.
❌ Retinol
Retinol supports aging skin, but green anise already encourages cell turnover and collagen. Pairing them can be too much for sensitive or dry skin.
Karina’s Tip: Use retinol at night and green anise in the morning, or alternate days for balance.
❌ Benzoyl Peroxide
This is a no-go. It’s extremely drying and oxidative, and it can cancel out the antioxidant benefits of green anise.
Karina’s Tip: Avoid this combo entirely, it’s one of the few pairings I never recommend.
Can I Use Green Anise Under My Eyes Every Day?
Absolutely, but be gentle. The under-eye area is thinner, more fragile, and doesn’t love aggressive combos. Keep it simple: no acids, no scrubs.
Pair green anise with a hydrating, calming eye cream (like Creme Contour des Yeux VIP O2), and pat it in gently with your ring finger.
If you’re unsure, ask. That’s what we’re here for at KarinaNYC. Because a beautiful routine is a smart routine, and your skin knows the difference.
Green Anise + BR = My Favorite Anti-Aging Duo
We don’t just talk about green anise at KarinaNYC, we use it. We test it. And we pair it with the best formulas in the business.
These Biologique Recherche products are ones I personally keep in rotation and recommend for clients looking to target fine lines with precision and care.
Crème Biofixine
This cream is a go-to for softening expression lines, especially around the eyes and mouth. It combines green anise extract with anti-glycation ingredients, making it ideal if you're noticing creases forming from repeated expressions (think smile lines, crow’s feet).
I’ve had clients layer this nightly and come back weeks later saying their skin looks smoother, and it does.
Masque VIP O2
I love pairing this mask with green anise in treatments because the results are fast. We’re talking real, visible oxygenation and that fresh, post-facial glow.
When used consistently, it supports skin that’s feeling dull, tired, or exposed to urban stressors like pollution.
Lotion P50V
This isn’t a green anise product, but it preps your skin to receive it. When used as the first step, P50W helps exfoliate gently, allowing your serums and creams to penetrate deeper.
I often recommend this pairing when clients want to amplify the effects of green anise.
Crème Contour des Yeux Biofixine
Targeted, effective, and gentle, this is my wrinkle-fighting eye cream of choice. It’s formulated specifically to reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet while firming the delicate skin around the eyes.
The texture is silky but not heavy, making it ideal for daily use under concealer or on bare skin.
Pro tip? Tap it in with your ring finger to avoid tugging, and store it in the fridge for extra de-puffing power.
Serum Fluide VIP O2
If you wear makeup, this serum is your secret weapon. It’s lightweight, deeply hydrating, and layered over green anise-rich mists or toners, it plumps fine lines beautifully.
Perfect for anyone who needs hydration without heaviness.
Serum Grand Millésime
This is one of my favorites for mature, dull, or fatigued skin. Packed with revitalizing actives and antioxidants, it helps smooth texture, improve radiance, and visibly soften signs of aging.
I recommend using it as a finishing step at night, especially if your skin feels tired or uneven. It brings that "well-rested" look, even when you're not.
Complexe Royal
Rich, nourishing, and glow-enhancing, this finishing serum is for dry, devitalized skin that needs more than just hydration.
It delivers instant dewiness and long-term firming benefits, making it perfect for layering over anti-aging creams or masks. I love using this one before events or when a client’s skin needs that extra boost of luxury.
Still Unsure About Green Anise? Let’s Clear It Up
Clients come into KarinaNYC every week with questions, and I love that. The more you understand your skin, the better your results.
Here are the top things people ask me about green anise extract, and exactly what I tell them.
Is Green Anise A Retinol Alternative?
Not quite, but close. Green anise supports collagen production and cell renewal, but without the harsh side effects of retinol.
I often layer them, retinol at night, green anise in the morning, for clients who want firming and glow without irritation.
Does It Work On Tech Neck Lines?
Yes, and it's even more effective when paired with facial massage or gua sha. I use it under hydrating masks for clients who spend long hours at a desk.
The combination helps soften those stubborn horizontal lines and improve skin texture over time.
Is There A Purging Phase?
Nope. Green anise isn’t an exfoliant or a retinoid, so you won’t go through a typical “purge.” But I do recommend using clean, well-formulated products, especially if you’re pairing it with other actives.
Is Green Anise Extract The Same As Anise Oil?
Big no. This is a huge misconception. The extract is water-based and non-irritating. The essential oil, on the other hand, can be very sensitizing and isn’t something we use on the face.
At KarinaNYC, we educate every client on this difference.
Can It Interact Badly With Other Products?
If you follow the right routine (like we’ve outlined above), green anise plays beautifully with most actives. But yes, too many strong ingredients at once can stress your barrier.
That’s why we build every routine thoughtfully and with intention.
Ready to See What Skincare That Actually Works Feels Like?
If you're here, chances are you've tried products that promised the world, and delivered nothing but disappointment (and maybe a few breakouts). I’ve been in this industry long enough to see every trend come and go.
But here’s what stays: skin that’s nourished, supported, and treated with care. That’s where green anise extract comes in.
This isn’t about chasing miracles. It’s about choosing ingredients that respect your skin’s biology and help it function at its best. Green anise does that. It hydrates, strengthens, calms, and defends, especially when fine lines are starting to show and your skin is craving real support.
But even the best ingredient needs the right environment to thrive. That’s where we come in.
At KarinaNYC, we don’t do cookie-cutter skincare. We listen. We test. We build routines that work, and we make sure you know how to use every product the right way.
If you’re committed to aging beautifully (not chasing perfection), this is your space.
Here’s how I help you get there:
✨ Free Personalized Skincare Consultations
Let’s talk about your skin, your goals, and what you’ve already tried. We’ll build a plan that’s yours, not one-size-fits-all.
🧴 Proven Product Pairings for Aging Skin
Our Biologique Recherche sets are carefully chosen for performance and compatibility. These aren’t guesses, they’re based on what works on real clients, every day.
💆♀️ Expert Treatments at KarinaNYC Studio
In-person facials that bring together green anise, advanced techniques, and 25+ years of hands-on experience. No fluff. Just results.
If you’re ready to stop wasting time on skincare that sounds good but falls short, let’s get you on a routine that finally makes sense. Your skin deserves that. So do you.
