massage oils. Extracts of leaves and fruits of olive tree show anti-inflammatory and
oxygen scavenging effects (Tehara and Hachimaki 2002). Olive oil shows potential
free radical scavenging effects, due to rich in polyphenols; it is applied for contact
dermatitis, skin damage, atopic dermatitis, eczema, xerosis, seborrhea, psoriasis,
rosacea thermal and radiation burns as well as other skin aging and inflammations.
Eczema.
Eczema is a skin condition specified by scaling, itching, redness, and swelling. For
treating eczema, turmeric has been used potentially. C. longa L; turmeric is processed rhizome portion, which is used for traditional medicine. It is usually boiled
yellow powder. Curcumin is a major chemical component in turmeric, which has
potential biological activities such as anti-HIV, antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory as well as wound healing powder,
applied to septic and aseptic wounds and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Curcumin
is also used to check and prevention or treatment for psoriasis, skin damage from
sun radiation, wounds, burns, acne, and premature aging (Phan et al. 2001).
Acne, spots, and pimples.
Skin condition damage causes whiteheads, blackheads, inflammation, sweat glands,
and hair follicles. Some natural product extracts are traditionally used for the
treatment of acne, spots, and pimples. Extracts from A. vulgaris, A. absinthum, and
A. campestris are used for rapid healing wounds, skin ulcers as well as eczema,
herpes, and purulent scabies (Aniya et al. 2000). Extracts from O. gratissimum and
O. basilicum essential oils are used for treatment of acne, pimples and spots as well
as it shows antibacterial treatment for acne, antiseptic and antimicrobial activities
(Orafidiya et al. 2002). P. sativum extracts are used for the treatment of acne, due to
peas composed of fats, salts, proteins, lecithins, and carbohydrates. For example,
crushed peas are used for face masks, acne, and wrinkled skin (Orafidiya et al.
2002). C. pepo (pumpkin) extracts are composed of fatty acids; it has been used for
traditional medicine, and it shows potential anti-inflammatory properties due to
fatty acids are mainly composed of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid. The roots,
leaves, and seeds of these extracts are used for pimples, blackheads, sores, and
herpes lesion (Orafidiya et al. 2002). A. cepa (red onion) has been used for traditional medicinal system, it could be used externally for boils, blackheads, and
abscesses to draw out of the infection as well as reduce the inflammation and
improve the healing. Red onions are composed of high amount of flavonoids;
hence, it shows potential anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties as well as
onion juice shows antimicrobial and antifungal effects. In Africa, onion juice is
applied for scalds, infection, and burns, especially in East Africa onion skin has
been used for body sores and facial (Aburjai and Natsheh 2003).
Anti-aging skin treatment.
Human Skin aging caused by UV radiation from the sun is one major environmental factor. Skin aging is due to exceeded degenerative and regenerative changes
and epidermises are analyzed by wrinkling and thinning together in the aspect of
19 The Importance of Natural Products in Cosmetics
663
oxygen scavenging effects (Tehara and Hachimaki 2002). Olive oil shows potential
free radical scavenging effects, due to rich in polyphenols; it is applied for contact
dermatitis, skin damage, atopic dermatitis, eczema, xerosis, seborrhea, psoriasis,
rosacea thermal and radiation burns as well as other skin aging and inflammations.
Eczema.
Eczema is a skin condition specified by scaling, itching, redness, and swelling. For
treating eczema, turmeric has been used potentially. C. longa L; turmeric is processed rhizome portion, which is used for traditional medicine. It is usually boiled
yellow powder. Curcumin is a major chemical component in turmeric, which has
potential biological activities such as anti-HIV, antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory as well as wound healing powder,
applied to septic and aseptic wounds and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Curcumin
is also used to check and prevention or treatment for psoriasis, skin damage from
sun radiation, wounds, burns, acne, and premature aging (Phan et al. 2001).
Acne, spots, and pimples.
Skin condition damage causes whiteheads, blackheads, inflammation, sweat glands,
and hair follicles. Some natural product extracts are traditionally used for the
treatment of acne, spots, and pimples. Extracts from A. vulgaris, A. absinthum, and
A. campestris are used for rapid healing wounds, skin ulcers as well as eczema,
herpes, and purulent scabies (Aniya et al. 2000). Extracts from O. gratissimum and
O. basilicum essential oils are used for treatment of acne, pimples and spots as well
as it shows antibacterial treatment for acne, antiseptic and antimicrobial activities
(Orafidiya et al. 2002). P. sativum extracts are used for the treatment of acne, due to
peas composed of fats, salts, proteins, lecithins, and carbohydrates. For example,
crushed peas are used for face masks, acne, and wrinkled skin (Orafidiya et al.
2002). C. pepo (pumpkin) extracts are composed of fatty acids; it has been used for
traditional medicine, and it shows potential anti-inflammatory properties due to
fatty acids are mainly composed of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid. The roots,
leaves, and seeds of these extracts are used for pimples, blackheads, sores, and
herpes lesion (Orafidiya et al. 2002). A. cepa (red onion) has been used for traditional medicinal system, it could be used externally for boils, blackheads, and
abscesses to draw out of the infection as well as reduce the inflammation and
improve the healing. Red onions are composed of high amount of flavonoids;
hence, it shows potential anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties as well as
onion juice shows antimicrobial and antifungal effects. In Africa, onion juice is
applied for scalds, infection, and burns, especially in East Africa onion skin has
been used for body sores and facial (Aburjai and Natsheh 2003).
Anti-aging skin treatment.
Human Skin aging caused by UV radiation from the sun is one major environmental factor. Skin aging is due to exceeded degenerative and regenerative changes
and epidermises are analyzed by wrinkling and thinning together in the aspect of
19 The Importance of Natural Products in Cosmetics
663