An Inventory of the Effects of Common Plant Extracts in Cosmetics (2025)

In the realm of cosmetics, the integration of plant extracts has sparked significant interest due to their diverse benefits and natural origins. Over the past few decades, Alfa Chemistry has been at the forefront of leveraging the potential of plant-derived ingredients for skincare formulations, capitalizing on their multifaceted effects and consumer preference for natural products. Here, Alfa Chemistry has listed common plant extracts and their effects to help you quickly find the best candidates for your cosmetic formulas.

Plant Extracts for Moisturizing

Moisturizing is a fundamental aspect of skincare, and plant extracts play a pivotal role in this domain. The polysaccharides and glycosides in plant extracts contain hydroxyl groups in their structures, which enable them to retain water through hydrogen bonds. Most plant polysaccharides have hygroscopic properties, such as aloe polysaccharides, which are the main active ingredients of aloe extracts and are widely used moisturizing raw materials in cosmetics. In addition, most water-soluble plant polysaccharides, such as cactus polysaccharides, astragalus polysaccharides, schizonepeta polysaccharides and dendrobium officinale polysaccharides, also have good water absorption properties.

Plant Extracts for Barrier Repairing

Barrier repair agents have the function of strengthening the skin barrier function and maintaining skin health in skin care. Plant extracts like licorice root, green tea, and chamomile are known for their ability to repair and strengthen the skin barrier.

In addition, the fatty acids contained in natural oils and fats also play a key role in maintaining skin barrier, anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritation. For example, omega-3 fatty acids (found in flaxseed oil and walnut oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (found in oils such as grapeseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil) are beneficial ingredients for natural oil barrier repair.

Plant Extracts for Antioxidation

Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the skin from free radical damage and premature aging. There are three main types of natural antioxidants found in plants: phenols, carotenes, and vitamins. Typical plant extracts known for their antioxidant properties include green tea extract, grape seed extract, rosemary extract, licorice root extract, and turmeric extract, etc.

Plant Extracts for Sun Protection and Whitening

The sunscreen effect of general cosmetics mainly depends on the absorption of UV rays by the active ingredients. Some plants with effective UV filtering effects may become potential sunscreen ingredients. These plant extracts include Astragalus gombiformis (SPF=38), Sloanea calva (SPF=35.4), Hylocereus polyrhizus (SPF=35.02) or Rosa centifolia (SPF=32).

On the other hand, the whitening effect is to reduce the production of melanin by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase. Typically, arbutin extracted from the leaves of plants such as wheat and azalea can not only absorb UV rays well, but also competitively bind to the active site of tyrosinase, thereby inhibiting the formation of melanin.

Plant Extracts for Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a common skin concern, and plant extracts have garnered attention for their anti-inflammatory potential. Some of the most commonly studied and used plant extracts for their anti-inflammatory properties include turmeric, ginger, frankincense, green tea, aloe vera, pomegranate peel, chamomile, and ginkgo biloba.

In addition, some plant essential oils have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and can be added to cosmetics as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as grapeseed oil, coconut oil, thyme essential oil, sunflower seed oil, cinnamon essential oil, rose essential oil, and sweet orange essential oil.

References

1. Xie M, et al. Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology, 2024, 100014.
2. Michalak M. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023, 24(20), 15444.