SKIN HERBS BENEFITS
Herbs have been used in medicines and cosmetics from centuries. Their potential to treat different skin diseases, to adorn and improve the skin appearance is well-known. As ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburns, wrinkles, lower immunity against infections, premature aging, and cancer, there is permanent need for protection from UV radiation and prevention from their side effects.
Although isolated plant compounds have a high potential in protection of the skin, whole herbs extracts showed better potential due to their complex composition. Many studies showed that green and black tea (polyphenols) ameliorate adverse skin reactions following UV exposure.
Ultraviolet radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is broadly divided into infrared radiation (IR), visible light (VIS), and UV radiation. Heat is part of IR radiation, which is not visible to the human eye. VIS is the wavelength range of general illumination. UV radiation is divided into three distinct bands in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy: UVA (320-400 nm), UVB (290-320 nm), and UVC (200-290 nm).
Damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation
Acute response of human skin to UVB irradiation includes erythema, edema, and pigment darkening followed by delayed tanning, thickening of the epidermis and dermis, and synthesis of vitamin D; chronic UVB effects are photoaging, immunosuppression, and photocarcinogenesis.
HISTORY OF COSMETICS
The use of natural or synthetic cosmetics to treat the appearance of the face and condition of the skin is common among many cultures. The word “cosmetics” arises from a Greek word “kosmeticos” which means to adorn. Since that time, any material used for beautification or improvement of appearance is known as cosmetics.
A large segment of the world population is showing greater inclination toward natural cosmetics which seems to be the future hope.
Sunscreen products
There are a lot of different types of sunscreen products (oils, sticks, gels, creams, lotions) which can be found on the world's market. All of them must have sunscreens that provide adequate protection from harmful UV rays
Physical sunblocks
There are two types of physical sunblocks that are mostly used: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. They are gentle enough for everyday use, especially for individuals with sensitive skin and for children, because they rarely cause skin irritation. But, because of scattering effect, they often causes so called “whitening” phenomenon when they are applied on the skin, which seriously affects the aesthetics and the efficacy of sunscreen products.
HERBAL COSMETICS
In a quest to find effective topical photoprotective agents, plant-derived products have been researched for their antioxidant activity, so the use of natural antioxidants in commercial skin care products is increasing.
The next step has been to look at other cultural remedies and to dissect the ethnopharmacy of countries around the world and to use our knowledge to assign chemicals that might be responsible for the skin benefits. Many new active molecules have been discovered and there are many more to be discovered.
Curcumin
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow odorless pigment isolated from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa) [Table 1]. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory,[44,65] antitumoral, and antioxidant properties. It has been found that topical application of curcumin in epidermis of CD-1 mice significantly inhibited UVA-induced ornithine decarboxylase ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity.
WHOLE HERBAL EXTRACTS IN USE
Most people have tea in their kitchen. Tea (Camellia sinensis) is commonly used as a home remedy for sunburn. The Chinese recommend applying cooled black tea to the skin to soothe sunburn.Other compounds in tea called catechins help prevent and repair skin damage and may even help prevent chemical- and radiation- induced skin cancers.
Most cosmeceuticals products containing tea extracts or phenols have not been tested in controlled clinical trials, but these substances have shown compelling evidence for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities.
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