In the last article, we listed the functions of natural ingredients in cosmetics for color and color enhancement, sunscreen whitening, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Today, we will continue to introduce its nutritional moisturizing, anti-aging and anti-oxidizing properties, as well as fragrance and deodorization.
4. Nutritious and Moisturizing
Nutritious and moisturizing ingredients play an important role in the cosmetic industry. One of the moisturizing methods in cosmetics is to apply a layer of oil on the skin's surface to prevent moisture from evaporating. The other is to absorb external moisture through moisturizing ingredients for skin moisturizing and moisturizing.
Chinese herbal medicines have both moisturizing properties: Hydroxyl groups are present in the structure of water-soluble components such as polysaccharides and glycosides, which can absorb and retain water through hydrogen bond hydration. The phenolic hydroxyl structure in flavonoids and polyphenols can also bind water through hydrogen bonding, making it also have the ability to absorb and retain water. Vegetable oils can strengthen the skin barrier and affect the reconstruction of the stratum corneum, prevent the loss of skin moisture, and normalize the sebaceous glands.
Aloe vera extract is a moisturizing raw material widely used in cosmetics. Many moisturizing cosmetics contain aloe vera extract, the main active ingredient is aloe vera polysaccharide.
Centella asiatica extract has the functions of moisturizing, promoting skin wound healing, beauty and beauty. Moisturizing ingredients are pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins, such as Madecassoside.
Oil components are also important natural components of plants. According to the content of triglycerides and free fatty acids, vegetable oil's moisturizing and moisturizing properties vary greatly. For example, Linoleic Acid maintains the integrity of the skin's water barrier and prevents skin moisture loss. Oleic acid, on the other hand, can destroy the skin's barrier function and eventually induce dermatitis, and is clinically used as a skin penetration enhancer. However, if oleic acid is combined with triglycerides, triglycerides' moisturizing properties can be further enhanced.
5. Anti-aging and antioxidant
Although the aging of the body and skin is an irreversible process, the use of related ingredients can slow down the aging process to a certain extent.
Natural product extracts can both inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through antioxidant effects, thereby slowing aging. They can also slow skin vitality loss by adjusting the skin tissue's metabolism. Among the natural product components, phenols, carotenoids and vitamins are mainly used as antioxidants. Polysaccharides can slow down the loss of skin vitality by regulating the metabolism of skin tissue.
Resveratrol is one of the most studied anti-aging natural compounds.
Carotenoids include carotene, lutein, lycopene, lilyxanthin, capsaicin and astaxanthin. Among them, astaxanthin has the strongest antioxidant capacity.
Vitamins are antioxidants that are often added in the current cosmetic market. Ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10 are often seen in cosmetic formula tables.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is widely available through biological fermentation. HA has both moisturizing and anti-aging effects.
6. Fragrance and deodorization
The fragrance of cosmetics has also gradually shifted from synthetic fragrances in the industrial era to natural ones.
There are about 9,000 known basic ingredients of fragrances. Almost all fragrance and deodorant cosmetics (such as perfumes, skin care products, conditioners, etc.) are compounded by these thousands of basic ingredients.
Because of its lasting fragrance-fixing ability, animal-based natural fragrances have been widely valued by the cosmetic industry at home and abroad in ancient and modern times. Most of the animal-based natural flavors are derived from the glandular sac of animals, but there are fewer types. Among them, ambergris is an important raw material for configuring high-end and expensive perfumes. It is the four commonly used animal spices, castorin, civet and musk.
Summary
Natural product cosmetics can often integrate toning, fragrance, anti-aging, and whitening. Its diverse efficacy has become the trend of the future development of the cosmetics industry. Further application of the relationship between the structure and functionality of the active ingredients of natural product cosmetics will be an important direction for future natural product cosmetics development.