Search Results (6)

Thermal spring waters (TSWs) have long been used in dermatology for chronic inflammatory dermatoses and sensitive skin and are increasingly positioned as cosmeceutical active ingredients. This review summarizes studies on the use of TSW and their hydrobiome derivatives in dermocosmetics and cosmeceuticals for skin health. TSW exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothing, hydrating and barrier-restoring effects in vitro, ex vivo and in clinical studies, improving conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, sensitive skin, radiation dermatitis and post-procedure erythema. In parallel, the hydrobiome of TSW has enabled the development of postbiotic and paraprobiotic ingredients, which modulate skin immunity, microbiota, barrier function and clinical signs of inflammatory and sensitive skin. Despite robust preclinical and growing clinical evidence, cosmeceuticals remain regulated as cosmetics in most regions, highlighting the need for specific regulatory frameworks and standardized approaches to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of TSW-based cosmeceuticals, as well as defining acceptable claim categories and minimum evidence thresholds. Full article

This study investigates the comparative impact of fermentation versus conventional extraction methods on the bioactive potency of “FERMENZA”, a patented, affordable, natural fermented cider-based topical formulation. Through comprehensive in vitro analysis, the fermented extract demonstrated superior antioxidant efficacy, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.77 ± 0.03 mg/mL, significantly outperforming solvent and steam-distilled extracts, which showed IC₅₀ values of 2.49 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 4.11 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. Notably, the nitric oxide scavenging activity of the fermented extracts was markedly higher than that of conventional extracts, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.12 ± 0.03 to 2.29 ± 0.03 mg/mL. Fermentation also enhanced total phenolic content (TPC), with mixed fruit extracts (pomegranate-beetroot, banana-papaya) reaching TPC levels of 2.43 ± 0.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, surpassing individual and conventionally processed samples. The study employed a Quality by Design approach to optimize fermentation conditions, achieving peak yields of gallic acid and TPC at 35 °C and 72 h, which further validates the process affordability. Under these conditions, the fermented extracts from pomegranate and beetroot demonstrated exceptional antimicrobial properties against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, P. acne, and M. furfur, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.25 mg/mL to 0.60 mg/mL, superior to those observed in conventionally extracted samples from pomegranate and beetroot. These findings highlight the efficacy of fermentation in enhancing bioactive compound availability, positioning FERMENZA as a potent fermented formulation for probable skin and hair-related cosmeceutical applications. Full article

Africa is counted amongst the cosmetic market contributors; however, South Africa’s remarkable plant diversity is still largely untapped in terms of its potential for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Thus, we aim to provide a critical assessment of the advancements made in South African cosmeceuticals with emphasis towards online local companies/brands that are manufactured by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). For the current study, we limited our search of herbal cosmeceutical products to SMMEs with online websites, or products traded in other online cosmetic directories such as ‘Faithful to Nature’ and ‘African Botanicals’ using a simple Google search. We recorded more than 50 South African SMME companies/brands involved in the trade of cosmeceuticals. Skin and hair care were the major product categories widely traded in these online platforms. Furthermore, few patents were recorded from South African researchers and institutions thereof, which is quite alarming considering the extensive research that has been undertaken to study these commercially valuable plants. Based on the increasing number of new products and the wide pool of economically important plants coupled to their associated rich indigenous knowledge systems, the cosmeceutical sector can contribute to the economy, job creation, entrepreneurship skills, socio-economic development and intellectual property generation. Full article

Nanotechnology has the potential to generate advancements and innovations in formulations and delivery systems. This fast-developing technology has been widely exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Today, cosmetic formulations incorporating nanotechnology are a relatively new yet very promising and highly researched area. The application of nanotechnology in cosmetics has been shown to overcome the drawbacks associated with traditional cosmetics and also to add more useful features to a formulation. Nanocosmetics and nanocosmeceuticals have been extensively explored for skin, hair, nails, lips, and teeth, and the inclusion of nanomaterials has been found to improve product efficacy and consumer satisfaction. This is leading to the replacement of many traditional cosmeceuticals with nanocosmeceuticals. However, nanotoxicological studies on nanocosmeceuticals have raised concerns in terms of health hazards due to their potential skin penetration, resulting in toxic effects. This review summarizes various nanotechnology-based approaches being utilized in the delivery of cosmetics as well as cosmeceutical products, along with relevant patents. It outlines their benefits, as well as potential health and environmental risks. Further, it highlights the regulatory status of cosmeceuticals and analyzes the different regulatory guidelines in India, Europe, and the USA and discusses the different guidelines and recommendations issued by various regulatory authorities. Finally, this article seeks to provide an overview of nanocosmetics and nanocosmeceuticals and their applications in cosmetic industries, which may help consumers and regulators to gain awareness about the benefits as well as the toxicity related to the continuous and long-term uses of these products, thus encouraging their judicious use. Full article

The interest in seaweeds for cosmetic, cosmeceutics, and nutricosmetics is increasing based on the demand for natural ingredients. Seaweeds offer advantages in relation to their renewable character, wide distribution, and the richness and versatility of their valuable bioactive compounds, which can be used as ingredients, as additives, and as active agents in the formulation of skin care products. Bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, are responsible for the biological properties associated with seaweeds. Seaweed fractions can also offer technical features, such as thickening, gelling, emulsifying, texturizing, or moistening to develop cohesive matrices. Furthermore, the possibility of valorizing industrial waste streams and algal blooms makes them an attractive, low cost, raw and renewable material. This review presents an updated summary of the activities of different seaweed compounds and fractions based on scientific and patent literature. Full article

Mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries and have recently been exploited for potential components in the cosmetics industry. Numerous mushrooms and their ingredients have been known to be beneficial to the skin and hair. The representative ingredients are as follows: phenolics, polyphenolics, terpenoids, selenium, polysaccharides, vitamins, and volatile organic compounds. These compounds show excellent antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects, which make them ideal candidates for cosmetics products. This review provides some perspectives of mushrooms (and/or extracts) and their ingredients presently used, or patented to be used, in both cosmeceuticals for topical administration and nutricosmetics for oral administration. With the small percentage of mushrooms presently identified and utilized, more mushroom species will be discovered, verified, and cultivated in the future, boosting the development of relevant industry. Combining with progress in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and systems pharmacology, mushrooms can find their way into cosmetics with multiple approaches. Full article