Skin issues arising from improper diet, routines or allergies are increasingly prevalent. Conditions such as melanin deposition, wrinkles from aging, skin inflammation causing rashes and acne pustules due to Propionibacterium acnes infections are commonly observed.
Free radicals, known for accelerating aging, increase skin wrinkles and aging. Tyrosinase, a crucial enzyme in melanin synthesis, catalyzes the production of melanin, with its oxidation product dopaquinone serving as a substrate for brown and true melanin synthesis. Hence, inhibiting tyrosinase activity offers a strategy to mitigate melanin production and promote skin whitening.
READ MORE: Efficacy of topical Nigella sativa L. with vinegar in the treatment of acne vulgaris
READ MORE: Smart skin bacteria able to secrete and produce molecules to treat acne
Meanwhile, the promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and whitening properties of sea buckthorn polysaccharides and flavonoids have not been systematically validated for skincare applications.
Sea buckthorn flavonoids
“We wanted to systematically verify the skincare functionalities of sea buckthorn flavonoids,” says Yan Zhou, senior and corresponding author of a new study published in the Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology. “Specifically, the inhibitory effect of sea buckthorn flavonoids on Propionibacterium acnes were assessed by plate antibacterial assays, the antioxidant properties evaluated using an ABTS free radical scavenging assays, and the whitening effect was determined by measuring tyrosinase inhibition with an enzyme labeling instrument.”
Given the insolubility of sea buckthorn flavonoids in water, the researchers designed a nano-milk formulation to enhance their dispersion. Additionally, a gel leave-on mask formulation incorporating glycerol glucoside and hydrolyzed collagen was developed to extend skin contact time and enhance moisturizing and reparative effects.
Skincare benefits
“We found that seabuckthorn flavonoids indeed exhibited excellent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and whitening effects,” shares Zhou. “Participants showed significant improvements in skin parameters, including reduced roughness, increased moisture content, and enhanced pigmentation balance, confirming the practical efficacy of the product.”
This study not only fills the gap in the systematic verification of the multifaceted skincare benefits of seabuckthorn flavonoids and polysaccharides, but also developing a product that efficiently integrates these two active ingredients.
No comments yet