Cultivating the Complexity of Naturals

By: Laurie DiBerardino, Cosmetics & Toiletries

Posted: February 2, 2006, from the February 2006 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

Today’s personal care consumers view themselves as knowledgeable. They seek product labels that offer potent ingredients to stave off the effects of aging. However, today’s formulator must consider two important elements before hitting the bench and mixing naturals and botanicals.
The actives in many of these naturals allegedly possess anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenger and skin-healing properties—all antiaging buzzwords. Though centuries-old folklore regale the healing benefits of many botanicals, most involve reports of items being ingested, not applied directly on the skin.
This is an important factor to consider when formulating a natural product: Do the studies indicate that the reported properties are as effective when applied topically? The second question to ask: Does the active in the natural work alone?