Disclaimer: The findings discussed are lab based and further studies need to be done.

A University of Rhode Island study evaluated compounds in red maple leaves for their cosmetic and medicinal applications.

The study found that the red maple leaf extract lowered skin pigmentation. This quality is popular in the beauty industry for its cosmetic applications, like evening or brightening skin tone.

The results also showed that extracts from maple leaves could reduce the production of melanin. This lowers pigmentation and is also relevant in the medical industry, because it significantly lowers skin cancer risk.

Reference: Ma, H.; Xu, J.; DaSilva, N.; Wang, L.; Wei, Z.; Guo, L.; Lu, W.; Xu, J.; Xu, Q.; Seeram, N.P. Cosmetic applications of glucitol-core containing gallotannins from a proprietary phenolic-enriched red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves extract, Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017, 309, 265-274.