Natural botanicals for skincare: Analytical profiling and bioactive properties

Abstract

This study analysed the chemical profiles and skincare-related bioactivities of four aromatic botanicals: Clove, Patchouli, Bay Leaf, and Galangal. Ethanol extractions were conducted using a Soxhlet apparatus [3], and chemical constituents were identified via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) [12, 13]. The biological activities assessed included antimicrobial effects (agar diffusion method) [1, 5, 6], antioxidant potential (DPPH assay) [9, 10] and anti-inflammatory effects (protein denaturation inhibition method) [15]. Clove and Patchouli exhibited strong antibacterial activity, notably against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus mutans [5, 6, 11]. Bay Leaf and Patchouli showed significant antioxidant activity [9, 10], while Galangal displayed the highest anti-inflammatory response [15]. These results highlight the distinct bioactive traits of each extract and suggest their potential application in natural skincare formulations [2, 4, 7, 8]. When combined, these botanicals may offer a synergistic approach to botanical cosmeceuticals [7, 14, 18], targeting various skin-related concerns effectively.