written by: Allison Goins, Ph.D. | Posted November 16 at 6:00 am
Chrysanthemum is another plant that is becoming popular in skin care, especially for its ability to treat uneven skin tone and dark spots. Like many other plants, with its high concentration of antioxidants, it has the potential to provide multiple benefits for your skin. In this article, we will explore the science behind the marketed benefits of chrysanthemum in skin care and whether it works as a natural hyperpigmentation treatment.
Chrysanthemum Benefits for Skiingn
Chrysanthemums are not just a plant. It is a genus of plants. And if you’re familiar with the other popular natural skin care ingredient, Calendula, they’re in the same family.
Related post: Calendula for skin The science behind its commercial benefits
For skin care applications, the most popular type of chrysanthemum is the Chrysanthemum indicium. Chrysanthemum indicium extract is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, which have been shown to help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Related post: The ultimate guide to natural antioxidants for skin
These free radicals accelerate aging and contribute to hyperpigmentation and other skin problems. By neutralizing these harmful molecules, you can help brighten your skin and prevent signs of premature aging.
The main benefits of commercially available Chrysanthemum indicum extract in skin care include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Chrysanthemum helps reduce redness and irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
- Lighting effects: Chrysanthemum extract can help fade dark spots and improve skin tone by calming inflamed skin and reducing oxidative stress.
- Antioxidant protection: These antioxidants help protect the skin from environmental damage, essential for preventing the signs of aging.
But as with many natural ingredients, just because there’s a significant active doesn’t mean it’s in a high enough concentration to significantly improve your skin. So, let’s break down what the science says about chrysanthemum extract in skin care and whether it really is a natural hyperpigmentation treatment.
The science of chrysanthemum extract in skin care
Scientists are studying chrysanthemum extract as a treatment for common skin problems, including: rosaceaand as a natural hyperpigmentation treatment. Chrysanthemum extract contains flavonoids and phenols, which are natural antioxidants. Although there is no evidence of the exact mechanism by which natural antioxidants inhibit tyrosinase, many cell studies show that Flavonoids and phenols can inhibit tyrosinase activity.
Tyrosinase is an essential enzyme in the production of melanin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin forms dark spots on the skin, often caused by sun damage, acne scars or aging.
Related post: What is melanin and how does melanin protect the skin?
However, what might appear in a Petri dish doesn’t always translate to your skin because your body is much more complex than a dish of cells. I could only find two studies looking at the topical application of chrysanthemum extracts. THE The first study looked at the effect of 1% chrysanthemum extract on redness associated with rosacea after 12 weeksand saw a significant reduction in redness. In the second, volunteers used a 0.5% chrysanthemum extract cream for six weeks. They saw a reduction in melanin levels over 6 weeks compared to a placebo group that received the cream without the active and showed no effect.
So, what does this mean for chrysanthemum extract? This means the extract may hold promise as a natural treatment for hyperpigmentation and redness. Two studies do not provide enough evidence to give a firm answer and more research is needed. If you have a product that works well for you, there isn’t enough evidence to warrant a change.
However, if you enjoy trying new products and ingredients, this could be an option for you.
How to use chrysanthemum as a natural hyperpigmentation treatment
Incorporating chrysanthemum extract into your skin care routine is easy. There are many serums, creams and masks that include chrysanthemum extract as a key ingredient. As you’re looking for these products, you want to make sure they have chrysanthemum indicium extract in the ingredients list because this is the chrysanthemum studied for skin care.
For best results in your hyperpigmentation treatment routine, look for products that combine chrysanthemum with other brightening agents like vitamin C or kojic acid. And you definitely can’t skip the daily sunscreen. You can use these products in your morning routine before sunscreen as an added layer of protection. These combinations enhance the brightening and protective effects, offering a more robust solution for evening skin tone and reducing dark spots.
