Skincare Around the World, Rituals and Products
The Use of Plants in Skin-Care Products, Cosmetics and Fragrances: Past and Present by Francisco José González-Minero 1,* and Luis Bravo-Díaz 2
About the Research: This work discusses the way people have used plants over time (basically since Ancient Egypt) to care for their physical aspect, and also how natural resources (especially plants) are currently used in personal-care products. Many plant species are ancient. This paper also shows examples of plants used for personal care which are investigated with new scientific advances.
Eastern Cameroon
Ethnobotany and pharmacognostic perspective of plant species used as traditional cosmetics and cosmeceuticals among the Gbaya ethnic group in Eastern Cameroon by E.F.FongnzossieaZ.TizeaP.J.Fogang NdeaC.F.Nyangono BiyegueaI.S.Bouelet NtsamaaS.D.DibongbB.A.Nkongmeneckc
About the Research: With the growing demand for plant genetic resources in cosmetics industries, traditional herbal cosmetic knowledge is becoming a potential resource for innovation and economic development. However, despite the abundant ethnobotanical literature in Cameroon, the use of plants as cosmetics among ethnic groups has only been poorly investigated. This study was conducted to assess the traditional herbal cosmetic knowledge of the Gbaya ethnic group in the Eastern Cameroon.
Jordan
Plants Used in Cosmetics: Ethnopharmacological survey of Jordan Medicinal Plants, by Talal Aburjai* and Feda M. Natsheh
About the Research: This review describes the use of some natural products in cosmetic preparations, due to their low mammalian toxicity, with a brief description of the major use, plant parts used, the actives responsible for effect and the benefits of such products. Their use in skin care; such as dryness, eczema, acne, free-radical scavenging, antiinflammatory, antiaging and skin protection effects are explained, and also the use in hair care as hair growth stimulants, hair colorants, and for hair and scalp complaints such as dandruff. Essential oils when incorporated into finished products impart many benefits such as a pleasant aroma in perfumery, shine or conditioning effects in hair care products, emolliency and improving the elasticity of the skin.
China & India
Novel Cosmetics Ingredients From Tribal & Aboriginal Medicine by Shyam Gupta, PhD
About the Research: Gems from Traditional Ethnobotany: The development of active chemical compounds that may be present in traditional healing potions can lead to future utilization of ancient, yet still practiced, therapies for topical product innovations via modern-day science. The use of medicinal plants for personal care applications has precedence in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic literature. The knowledge of topically active ingredients from native resources, while quite abundant, has received scant attention due to their limited commercial availability and lack of scientifically proven applications. Indigenous native healing traditions have played an important role in treating tribal and aboriginal populations worldwide, via both topical and ingestible therapies along with ceremonial rituals and holistic sessions. Beyond hallucinogens or intoxicants practiced so commonly in ancient ceremonial medicine, this article focuses on select, newly discovered active chemical compounds from native tribal and aboriginal ethnobotanical resources—via a blending of ancient art with modern science—in anticipation of their increased commercial awareness for innovative skin and personal care applications.
South West Nigeria
Ethnobotanical studies of folklore phytocosmetics of South West Nigeria by Adediwura Fred-Jaiyesimi, K. K. AjibesinOdeyemi Tolulope, Ogundokun Gbemisola
About the Research: Phytocosmetic is a common practice in the domestic medicines of many cultures (Pieroni et al., 2004) with emphasis on the skin, hair, and body. The majority of the traditional cosmetics are employed in enhancing beauty, eliminating body odors, cleansing, and treating certain skin disease conditions in both children and adults. However, various cultures have specific beauty recipes. In Africa, plants, minerals, and fats serve as the main composition of the recipes for traditional cosmetics.
Southern Italy
Dermatological remedies in the traditional pharmacopoeia of Vulture-Alto Bradano, inland southern Italy by Cassandra L Quave 1, Andrea Pieroni, Bradley C Bennett
About the Research: The traditional dermatological pharmacopoeia of Vulture-Alto Bradano is based on a dynamic folk medical construct of natural and spiritual illness and healing. Remedies are used to treat more than 45 skin and soft tissue conditions of both humans and animals. Of the total 165 remedies reported, 110 have never before been published in the mainland southern Italian ethnomedical literature.
LAVOAGE 