The potential of selected plant extracts in anti-acne skincare formulations

Abstract

Consumer awareness and the desire to reach for cosmetics with natural ingredients are still growing.
The active ingredients of plants can reduce acne lesions and skin redness accompanying them.
Specialised cosmetic formulations should support Anti-acne products containing therapeutic agents,
reducing visible skin inflammation. These products should act simultaneously, ensuring proper
skincare due to the content of plant metabolites exhibiting desired biological activity. In this study, the
application of a selected plant extract in cosmetic preparations for acne skincare containing selected
plant extracts was prepared: Arnica montana flower, Sambucus nigra and Rosmarinus officinalis leaf,
Saponaria officinalis root, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and Silybum marianum seed oil and then their
effects were compared. The extracts were applied as active ingredients in face cream, serum and
micellar solution forulations. The physicochemical properties (pH value, stability, dispersed phase
particle size and type of emulsion) were evaluated; moreover, rheological tests of the samples were
carried out, and the skin cleansing ability of the micellar solution was examined. In addition, all the
formulations were subject to various tests, which allowed for the evaluation of their organoleptic
properties. It was noticed that the used plant raw materials affect the care of the skin with acne
tendencies. Both extracts (Arnica montana flower extract and Sambucus nigra extract) were used in
the same concentrations in the cosmetics so that differences in results were easy to compare.
Importantly, during the consumer tests, the probants discontinued usage of other anti-acne agents
normally applied, which allowed for an objective assessment of the effect of the tested extracts on the
acne skin. The formulations tested were proven to be effective cosmetics supporting anti-acne therapy.