The ancient Greeks had many uses for this plant and its by products. Olive oil has traditionally been used to treat burns, dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, and xerosis. The major components include 56-83% oleic acid, 8-20% palmitic acid, and 4-20% linoleic acid. Steroids including B-sitosterol and tocopherols are present. Extra virgin oil also has a significant […]

In 2003 and 2004 Noni was the largest selling single herb in the U. S. It has no reliable published clinical research. Noni’s unproven uses are for many systemic diseases including diabetes, infections, fever, arthritis and wounds. The active ingredients are iridoids including asperulosid. Topically, it is an emoltient used to reduce signs of skin […]

Cosmeceuticals incorporate this herb to calm the skin. The active compounds include monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes such as cineol and pinene. Tannins, acylphloruglucinols, and volatile oils are present. Antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiseptic effects result from the active molecules. It is administered as infusion. This herb is contraindicated in children and infants due to potential of including […]

The extracts of this herb are incorporated into cosmeceuticals to improve skin brightness but are used in Asian medicine for wounds and carbuncle therapy. The active components consist of triterpene saponins such as glycyrrhizin (3-15%), flavonoids including licoricidin, isoflavones such as glabridin, hydroxycoumarins including glycycoumarin, cumestans such as glycynol, sterols such as beta-sitosterol, and volatile […]

The galenic formulations of this herb are used in many products as an antioxidant thickener and to exfoliate skin for treatment of acne, psoriasis, sunburn, chapped skin, hair restorer and wounds although it is not approved for any cutaneous indication. The wax esters consist of 20-22 carbon atom length fatty acids arranged in waxy globules, […]

This is an Asian medicine for cutaneous inflammation and edema, carbuncle, scalding, and herpes zoster therapy. The active compounds include fruit acids (15-30%), anthocyanidins, flavonoids, and mucilages. It is administered as tea. Hibiscus has no reported health hazards (3).

This Chinese herb contains geniposidic acid which statistically significantly increased stratum corneum turnover in aging mice (69). Ginseng (Eleutherococcous senticosus, Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius) The most potent species is Siberian ginseng which is Eleutherococcus senticosus. Panax ginseng is also from the Orient while Panax quinquefolius grows in America. This is a widely used oral herb […]

Extracts of this foodstuff has been used for years in cosmeceuticals for fruit acids particularly malic, ascorbic acid, and pectin. Other active compounds include tannins such as quercetin and caffeic acids such as quinic acid. Procyanidin B-2 is a protein kinase C inhibiting tannin recently demonstrated to promote hair cell growth and anagen induction in […]

There are a number of well-known, commonly used medicinal botanicals incorporated into many cosmeceuticals that have not been studied in any dermatologic human trials but have demonstrated biologic effects in nondermatologic diseases, in vitro, in vivo, or animal models. The lack of FDA regulation allows companies to formulate these herbs into skin care products and […]