Essential oils in cosmetics: Antioxidant properties and advancements through nanoformulations

Objective

To examine the antioxidant properties of essential oils and their nanoformulations when used in cosmetic products, consolidating information from recent scientific studies.

Significance of review

Essential oils have gained significant attention in the cosmetics industry due to their natural antioxidant properties and potential benefits for skin health. Understanding their role can help develop innovative and effective cosmetic formulations.

Key findings

Essential Oils are volatile aromatic compounds extracted from various plant sources, known for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are rich in phenols, terpenes, and flavonoids that scavenge free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. Their antioxidant activity helps neutralize free radicals, mitigating skin aging, oxidative stress, and damage. Certain essential oils also decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, thus showing significant effects in treating acute and chronic inflammation. They further enhance stability and shelf-life of cosmetic formulations by preventing lipid oxidation and degradation of active ingredients. Nanoformulations of tea tree oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and chamomile oil show promising results in reducing oxidative damage, improving skin barrier function, and promoting collagen synthesis.

Conclusions

This review highlights the significant antioxidant properties of essential oils and the potential of their nanoformulations in improving cosmetic formulations. Further research and development in this area hold promise for creating innovative and effective skincare products to meet modern skincare needs.