Historically, plants have been identified by an examination by a plant taxonomist of the leaf, fruit, flower, and other plant parts necessary for proper determination (7). Precise notes regarding the specimen’s colleting location, including latitude and longitude, village, county, province or state, and country, and a description and photos of the plants height, width, habit, […]

Number of sources and reliability of sources available are important considerations when selecting an extract or a supplier. For instance, lauric acid is used widely in soaps and detergents. It used to be obtained mainly from Philippine coconut oil. However, the price of coconut oil was highly unstable due to drought, aging plantations, typhoons, pests, […]

Selection of potential plant species for cosmetic application should be based on ethnobotanical knowledge or scientific research demonstrating beneficial properties. The safety of the plant and the therapeutic constituent in question also needs to be investigated. Once you have determined what type of benefits or claims you are looking for from a botanical extract and […]

Tracy Cornuelle and Jan Lephart Research and Development, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, Utah, U. S.A. INTRODUCTION Botanicals have been part of cosmetics and toiletries since before recorded history. As early as 10,000 BC scented oils and ointments were used to soften skin and mask body odor (1). The ancient Egyptians freshened their breath by chewing […]

Lasers too are beginning to find a role in the treatment of acne. They work by emitting minimally divergent, coherent light that can be focused over a small area of tissue. Pulsed dye laser (585 nm) can be used at lower fluences to treat acne. Instead of ablating blood vessels and causing purpura, the lower […]

Photodynamic therapy is another phototherapy option for treating acne. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is applied topically one hour prior to exposure to a low-power light source (such as a pulsed excimer laser or a halogen source). The ALA is metabolized in the pilosebaceous units to protoporphyrin IX which is then targeted by the light. This results […]

Studies investigating the effect of UV radiation on acne have demonstrated a modest improvement in only inflammatory acne. There is some effect with UVB radiation alone, and slightly more benefit with combined UVB and UVA radiation. UVA light alone is the least beneficial. Twice-weekly phototherapy sessions are needed for clinical improvement. The therapeutic utility of […]

Various forms of phototherapy are under investigation for their use in treating acne vulgaris. Up to 70% of patients report that sun exposure improves their acne (109). This reported benefit may be due to camouflage by UV radiation-induced erythema and pigmentation, although it is likely that the sunlight has a biologic effect on the pilosebaceous […]

In addition to topical and oral medications, physical modalities exist for treating acne. Comedone extraction can provide prompt cosmetic results. The keratinous debris of the open comedo may be extracted by using the Schamberg, Unna, and Saalfield types of comedo extractors. The closed comedo can also be removed by extraction but must first be nicked […]