Cosmetics

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using butylene glycol for recovering antioxidant bioactive compounds from Rosa damascena petals. Extraction was conducted using 40% (w/v) butylene glycol, a 15 min treatment, and a solid–liquid ratio of 1:50 g/mL. Under these conditions, butylene glycol-based UAE yielded a total flavonoid content of 51.26 ± 1.75 mg QE/g sample, significantly higher than that obtained with ethanol-based UAE (p < 0.05), while the total phenolic content (118.23 ± 4.86 mg GAE/g sample) showed no significant difference between solvents. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced, with butylene glycol UAE exhibiting stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity (133.12 ± 4.81 mg TEAC/g sample) and higher FRAP values (8.13 ± 0.23 mg FeSO₄/g sample) than ethanol-based UAE and conventional shaking extraction. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis, heatmap clustering, and Venn diagrams, revealed clear separation among extraction methods and a broader phytochemical profile in butylene glycol UAE extracts. LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS profiling confirmed a conserved core phenolic composition across all extracts, while butylene glycol UAE selectively enriched additional galloyl derivatives and conjugated flavonoids and also enabled the detection of less polar phenolics. These findings highlight butylene glycol-based UAE as a sustainable and industry-relevant alternative to ethanol extraction for cosmetic applications.

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure disrupts dermal collagen homeostasis and accelerates skin aging. This study evaluated the protective effects of black ginseng extract (BGE) against UV-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts. BGE restored collagen-related markers, including COL5A1 and COL7A1, improved fibroblast proliferative capacity, and reduced senescence-associated changes under UV stress. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics identified broad pathway modulation by BGE, involving extracellular matrix remodeling, chromatin organization, and stress-response processes. To validate genome maintenance-related signals highlighted by proteomics, qPCR showed that BGE increased telomere/replication-associated genes compared with the UV group, including POT1 (2.29-fold) and ORC1 (6.70-fold). In addition, comet assay imaging indicated reduced UV-associated DNA damage features following BGE treatment. Overall, these findings indicate that BGE mitigates UV-induced photoaging phenotypes in fibroblasts, with collagen-related recovery and multi-level protective responses, supporting its potential as a natural bioactive ingredient for anti-photoaging skincare applications.

Polynucleotides purified through High Purification Technology (PN HPT), combined with hyaluronic acid (HA), represent a novel injectable strategy to improve skin quality in aesthetic medicine. This real-world data collection aimed to evaluate the safety and performance of PN HPT-based treatments across multiple facial and body areas. Data were collected through a post-market clinical follow-up survey, analysing 218 questionnaires completed after 654 intradermal infiltrations performed on the face (e.g., forehead, perioral lines, crow’s feet), neck, hands, and décolleté. Aesthetic outcomes were assessed using clinician- and patient-reported Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and Global Clinical Improvement Scale scores. Safety and satisfaction were evaluated through adverse event reporting and a patient-completed Likert scale. Across all treated areas, consistent improvement was observed. For the face, 39% of cases achieved “marked improvement” or “excellent result” on the GCI-S, with 48% rated as “much improved” or “very much improved” on the GAIS. Similar outcomes were reported for the neck (41% and 57%), hands (31% and 41%), and décolleté (43% and 55%). Patient satisfaction was high, with over 90% expressing general satisfaction and willingness to repeat the treatment. No serious or unexpected adverse events occurred. These findings suggest that PN HPT and HA injectables may offer a high level of patient satisfaction, observable improvements in skin quality, and a favorable safety profile in the modern aesthetic practice.