Phytopharmaceuticals as Cosmetic Agents: A Review

The concept of beauty and cosmetics is as ancient as mankind and civilization. Cosmetology, the science of alteration of appearance, has been practiced since primordial times. It is believed to have originated in Egypt and India, but the earliest records of cosmetic substances and their application dates back to circa 2500 and 1550 B.C. to the Indus valley civilization.

The growing scientific evidence, that plants posses a vast and complex arsenal of active ingredients (phytochemicals) able, not only to calm or smooth the skin but actively restore, heal and protect the skin, has increased their use in cosmetics. As many herbal agents used in cosmetics have been selected by a process of 'trial and error", there use is based on experience rather than experimental investigation. They may be utilized for cosmetic in three forms as total extracts or single molecules purified from extracts (e.g. aloe vera gel,teas,plant extracts) selective extract (e.g.liquorice,ginkgo,wheat germ)or single natural molecules (e.g.vitamins,coenzyme Q10).The following summary shows only plants that have been shown to be effective in scientific studies.