Effects of Plant Extracts in Cosmetics

In cosmetics, the application of plant extracts has been particularly popular because of their various advantages and natural nature.

Plant Extracts for Moisturizing

Skincare relies upon moisturization, and plant extracts are the stepping stones to that. Plant extracts also have hydroxyl groups in the polysaccharides and glycosides that keep water inside them with hydrogen bonds. The majority of plant polysaccharides are hygroscopic like aloe polysaccharides which are the active constituents of aloe extracts and are used in cosmetics as moisturizing raw materials. Moreover, the majority of water-soluble plant polysaccharides like cactus polysaccharides, astragalus polysaccharides, schizonepeta polysaccharides and dendrobium officinale polysaccharides absorb water well.

Plant Extracts for Barrier Repairing

Barrier repair agents help in building the skin barrier function and skin health during the skin care. Phytoelements such as licorice root, green tea, chamomile etc help to repair and improve the skin barrier.

The fatty acids in natural oils and fats also assist in skin barrier maintenance, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritancy. Omega-3 fatty acids (in flaxseed oil and walnut oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (in grapeseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil, for instance) help repair natural oil barrier.

Plant Extracts for Antioxidation

The skin gets aided by antioxidants to defend against free radical damage and ageing. The three main natural antioxidants in plants are phenols, carotenes and vitamins. Common antioxidant-rich plant extracts are: green tea extract, grape seed extract, rosemary extract, licorice root extract, turmeric extract etc.

Plant Extracts for Sun Protection and Whitening

The sunscreen effect of general cosmetics mainly depends on the absorption of UV rays by the active ingredients. Some plants with effective UV filtering effects may become potential sunscreen ingredients. These plant extracts include Astragalus gombiformis (SPF=38), Sloanea calva (SPF=35.4), Hylocereus polyrhizus (SPF=35.02) or Rosa centifolia (SPF=32).

On the other hand, the whitening effect is to reduce the production of melanin by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase. Typically, arbutin extracted from the leaves of plants such as wheat and azalea can not only absorb UV rays well, but also competitively bind to the active site of tyrosinase, thereby inhibiting the formation of melanin.

Plant Extracts for Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a common skin concern, and plant extracts have garnered attention for their anti-inflammatory potential. Some of the most commonly studied and used plant extracts for their anti-inflammatory properties include turmeric, ginger, frankincense, green tea, aloe vera, pomegranate peel, chamomile, and ginkgo biloba.

In addition, some plant essential oils have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and can be added to cosmetics as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as grapeseed oil, coconut oil, thyme essential oil, sunflower seed oil, cinnamon essential oil, rose essential oil, and sweet orange essential oil.