Cosmetic Products Research Articles

Study on the Effect of Bee Venom and Its Main Component Melittin in Delaying Skin Aging in Mice

Bee venom (BV) and its main compound melittin (MLT) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities; however, very little research has been conducted on their effects on skin aging. In this study, a mouse skin aging model induced by D-galactose was constructed via subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck, and different doses of BV and MLT were used as interventions. The anti-aging effects and mechanisms of BV and MLT were explored by detecting the skin morphology and structure, and anti-aging-related factors and performing non-targeted metabolomics of mice. BV and MLT improved dermal and epidermal thickness, boosted the collagen fiber content, increased hydroxyproline and hyaluronic acid levels, and enhanced transcript-level expression of IL-10, Col1a1, and Col3a1, while decreasing that of IL-1β. Metabolomic analysis showed that BV and MLT regulated the levels of some metabolites (compared to those in the skin aging control). BV effectively alleviated skin aging by regulating the pentose phosphate pathway, and pathways associated with carbon, galactose, and β-alanine metabolism, whereas MLT regulated pathways related to lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and atherosclerosis. This study highlights the potential applicability of BV and MLT in skin aging treatments and cosmetic products.

Evaluation of the fatty acid profiles, antioxidant activities, and total phenol and vitamin E contents of three types of Saudi date seed oils

Date seed oil is well known for its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, and antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, tocopherols, phytosterols and vitamin A, which play an important role in reducing the risk of many diseases. Therefore, date seed oil extraction and processing into different pharmaceutical and cosmetic products may be economically beneficial and could be considered an important opportunity for future v industrial utilization. The main goal of this study is to investigate the fatty acid composition, antioxidant activities, and total polyphenol and vitamin E contents of oils extracted from the seeds of three types of Saudi date cultivars: Al-Raziz, Al-Khalas, and Al-Ajwa. Hexane and petroleum ether organic solvents were used for oil extraction due to the unavailability of cold extraction devices. Date seed oils extracted from the specified Saudi date cultivars were further subjected to chemical and statistical analyses using standard Methods. Total lipid extracted from the Al-Raziz, Al-Khalas, and Al-Ajwa date seeds cultivars was 10.38-12.65 g/100 g with hexane and 10.21-12.69 g /100 g with petroleum ether, with no significant differences between them. Oleic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, linoleic, and stearic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in all three types of date seed oils. Particularly, oleic acid accounted for nearly half of the total fatty acid content (48.2-51.12%) in all three types of date seed oils. Total saturated fatty acid contents were 42.2, 40.1, and 43.4% and the total unsaturated fatty acid contents were 57.8, 59.0, and 56.6% in the date seed oils of Al-Khalas, Al-Raziz, and Al-Ajwa, respectively. All date seed oils had high contents of antioxidants (41.1-63.2%), phenols (274.0-302.53%), and vitamin E (16.68-19.2%). Therefore, Al-Raziz, Al-Khalas, and AlAjwa date seed oils can be used for industrial food and caffeine-free coffee production and the development of cosmetic and pharmaceutics products for skin microbial disease and wound treatment. Here, date seed oils were very rich in antioxidants, phenols, and vitamin E, with some fatty acids, such as lauric acid, exhibiting antimicrobial activities. Future studies should investigate the degree of fat oxidation and changes in the total phenol, vitamin E, phytosterol, and phytochemical compound contents during date storage.

Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Face Pack

Objective: The objective of this work is to formulate an herbal face pack for glowing skin. The primary goal of a herbal face pack is to harness the inherent benefits of herbs and plant-based ingredients to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Methods: Natural herbal ingredients were used such as rose petal powder, Multani mitthi, dried orange peel powder, turmeric, nutmeg powder, neem powder, sandal wood powder etc. All ingredients were sieved by using #44 mesh. Weighed accurately and mixed geometrically for uniform mixture. Prepared formulation was evaluated by different parameters like organoleptic, physiochemical, physical, irritancy test along with stability examination. Result: The formulation of combined form had passable flow property which is suitable for face pack. Herbal face pack is used to stimulate blood circulation, rejuvenates the muscle and help to maintain the elasticity of the skin and remove dirt from skin pores. Conclusion: In this study it is concluded that formulation of face pack found to be good in physical parameter, free from skin irritation. The benefit of herbal cosmetics is their nontoxic nature, reduce the allergic reaction. Thus, in this work, we found good properties for face pack and further optimization study is required on this study to find out the useful benefits of face pack on human use as a cosmetic product. Keywords: Face pack, Herbal, Cosmetic, Formulation, Evaluation, Appearance.

ANALISIS PERAN MEGA, MACRO, DAN MICRO INFLUENCER DALAM PROMOSI PRODUK KECANTIKAN (STUDI PADA KONTEN INFLUENCER DI TIKTOK)

This research discusses the role of mega, macro, and micro influencers in promoting beauty products through the TikTok platform using the AISAS (Attention, Interest, Search, Action, and Share) approach. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of influencers in attracting attention, building interest, encouraging information search, triggering purchases, and encouraging audiences to share promotional content. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a literature study approach and content analysis from TikTok social media. The results show that each level of influencer has a significant role in increasing consumer buying interest. Micro-influencers can reach specific audiences with authentic content, macro-influencers are trusted to provide in-depth reviews that are educative, while mega-influencers help increase brand awareness with a wider audience reach. This promotional strategy is proven to increase engagement, build trust, and impact sales of beauty products

Adsorption and Bulk Assembly of Quaternized Hydroxyethylcellulose–Anionic Surfactant Complexes on Negatively Charged Substrates

This study examines the adsorption and bulk assembly behaviour of quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose ethoxylate (QHECE)–sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) complexes on negatively charged substrates. Due to its quaternized structure, QHECE, which is used in several industries, including cosmetics, exhibits enhanced electrostatic interactions. The phase behaviour and adsorption mechanisms of QHECE–SDS complexes are investigated using model substrates that mimic the wettability and surface charge of damaged hair fibres. Two preparation methodologies, high-concentration mixing and gradient-free mixing, were employed to examine their impact on the complex equilibrium, phase behaviour, and adsorption properties of the complexes. The measurements of turbidity, electrophoretic mobility, and conductivity demonstrate the existence of nonequilibrium dynamics during the mixing process, which exert a significant influence on the structural and functional characteristics of the complexes. The quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was employed to investigate the adsorption of the complexes onto the substrates. The results demonstrated the critical role of intermediate SDS concentrations in enhancing deposition. The findings emphasise the importance of formulation and preparation protocols in designing stable, high-performance cosmetic products. This research advances our understanding of polyelectrolyte–surfactant interactions and provides insights into optimising QHECE-based formulations.

Skin-Care Obsessed Kids: The Hidden Risks and Healthy Alternatives Every Parent Should Know

The emergence of skincare trends among Generation Alpha has introduced children to beauty regimens at an unprecedentedly young age, largely influenced by social media and adult-targeted marketing. While fostering self-care awareness, this phenomenon raises critical concerns about the safety and appropriateness of such practices for developing skin and overall health. This study investigates the potential health implications of using adult-oriented skincare and cosmetic products, focusing on risks such as hormonal disruptions, allergic reactions, and long-term exposure to harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde. Additionally, the increasing popularity of nail art among children is examined, with attention to the dangers of UV exposure and chemical toxicity. The article advocates for child-friendly, natural alternatives and emphasizes the role of parents, educators, and industry stakeholders in promoting safer practices. By addressing these concerns and fostering sustainable habits, we can protect the health and well-being of future generations while encouraging age-appropriate self-care.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of a complex herbal remedy for the prevention of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity

The article presents the results of testing the herbal-based mouthwash «Art-Dentale Expert» for compliance with regulatory requirements, including safety analysis, packaging, and labeling. The study aimed to evaluate the mouthwash’s safety and consumer satisfaction through a questionnaire survey. Findings. The «Art-Dentale Expert» mouthwash complies with the standards TRCU 009/2011 «On the Safety of Perfumery and Cosmetic Products». A survey of 70 patients with mild chronic generalized periodontitis showed significant reductions in gum bleeding and good tolerability of the product. However, 34 % of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the need to dilute solution the mouthwash before use. Conclusions. The product meets various regulatory standards, including requirements for appearance, pH, toxic element content, microbial safety, packaging, and labeling. It can be recommended for use in the comprehensive treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis. Positive attributes noted by respondents included taste (87.14 %), smell (63.16 %), a pleasant feeling after use (92.86 %), gum recovery (90 %), reduction in gum bleeding (100 %), tolerability (97.14 %), and rapid therapeutic effects (72.86 %). No adverse effects were reported, but the dilution requirement was a notable drawback for some users.

Autophagy-Enhancing Properties of Hedyotis diffusa Extracts in HaCaT Keratinocytes: Potential as an Anti-Photoaging Cosmetic Ingredient

The decline in autophagy disrupts homeostasis in skin cells, leading to oxidative stress, energy deficiency, and inflammation—all key contributors to skin photoaging. Consequently, activating autophagy has become a focal strategy for delaying skin photoaging. Natural plants are rich in functional molecules and widely used in the development of anti-photoaging cosmetics. Hedyotis diffusa (HD), as a medicinal plant, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties; however, its effects on skin photoaging remain unclear. This study investigates HD’s potential to counteract skin photoaging by restoring mitochondrial autophagy in keratinocytes. We used HPLC to detect the main chemical components in HD and, using a UVB-induced photoaging model in HaCaT keratinocytes, examined the effects of HD on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis, and the cell cycle. Cellular respiration was further evaluated with the Seahorse XFp Analyzer, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the impact of HD on mitochondrial autophagy-related gene expression and signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that HD promotes autophagy by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and PINK/PARK2 pathways, which stabilizes mitochondrial quality, maintains MMP and Ca2+ balance, and reduces cytochrome c release. These effects relieve cell cycle arrest and prevent apoptosis associated with an increased BAX/BCL-2 ratio. Thus, HD holds promise as an effective anti-photoaging ingredient with potential applications in the development of cosmetic products.

Eksplorasi Pengalaman Konsumen terhadap Peran Online Customer Review dan Citra Merek terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Kosmetik pada Aplikasi Sociolla

The development of information technology and e-commerce has changed consumer behavior, especially in the cosmetics industry. Platforms like Sociolla are the main choice for consumers to buy cosmetic products online. This research explores the influence of online customer reviews and brand image on cosmetic purchasing decisions on the e-commerce platform. Customer reviews, both positive and negative, serve as an important reference that influences consumer perceptions of brand quality and credibility. On the other hand, a strong brand image can strengthen purchasing decisions by creating a sense of trust and emotional attachment. Using a qualitative approach, this research explores consumers' subjective experiences to understand the role of online reviews and brand image in purchasing decisions. The research findings are expected to provide deeper insight into the dynamics of consumer behavior in the Indonesian cosmetics e-commerce ecosystem.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Part II: Etiopathogenesis and Management.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) poses a distinct dermatological challenge with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at its core, driving follicular cell transformation and fibrotic changes. Genetic studies highlight significant associations, while environmental triggers, such as implicated cosmetic products (sunblock, personal hair care products, and moisturizers), introduce complexity. Managing FFA proves daunting due to its chronic and unpredictable nature. Treatment strategies, including combination therapies including hydroxychloroquine, dutasteride, topical and intralesional steroids, and topical tacrolimus, offer hope in stabilizing the condition. Monitoring the disease progression may be challenging as no established guidelines exist, however, imaging techniques may offer help in the future.

Royal Jelly's Strong Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung Malignant Cells and Macromolecular Alterations in Cells Observed by FTIR Spectroscopy.

Several nutraceuticals, food, and cosmetic products can be developed using royal jelly. It is known for its potential health benefits, including its ability to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can improve general health. Royal jelly (RJ) is also being studied as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer and other chronic diseases. It is effective in reducing tumor growth and stimulating immunity. In this study, we investigated the effects of royal jelly on cancerous A549 cells and healthy MRC-5 cells at various doses ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/ml. Royal jelly's anti-proliferative effect was evaluated by MTT and SRB assay for 48 h. The induction of necrosis and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry as well. The relative amounts of major molecules in Royal jelly were determined by FTIR spectroscopy to identify key functional groups and molecular structures. In addition, this technique was used for the first time to detect changes in the macromolecular composition of lung cells treated with royal jelly. Thus, it provided insights into the relative abundance of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, which could correlate with their bioactive properties. The antiproliferative effect of Royal jelly was found to be selective on A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 9.26 mg/mL, with no cytotoxic effects on normal MRC-5 cells. Moreover, Royal jelly induced predominantly necrotic cell death in A549 cells, %39.10 at 4 mg/ml and %57.88 at 10 mg/ml concentrations. However, the necrosis rate in MRC-5 cells was quite low, at 9.16% and 20.44% at the same doses. Royal jelly showed dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity toward A549 cells, whereas it exhibited no apparent cytotoxicity in MRC-5 cells. In order to identify the biomolecular changes induced by royal jelly, we used two unsupervised chemometric pattern recognition algorithms (PCA and HCA) on the preprocessed sample FTIR spectra to determine the effects of royal jelly on cell biochemistry. According to PCA and HCA results, RJ treatments especially affected biomolecules in A549 cells. The total spectral band variances in the PCA loading spectra were calculated for understanding biomolecular alterations. These plots revealed profound changes in the lipid, protein, and nucleic acid content of RJ-applied lung cells, primarily identifying RJ and H2O2 treated groups for A549 cells. Ultimately, the selective cytotoxicity of royal jelly toward A549 cancerous cells suggests that royal jelly may be a promising therapeutic agent for identifying innovative lung cancer treatment strategies. Additionally, understanding the molecular alterations induced by royal jelly could guide the development of novel cancer treatments that exploit its bioactive properties. This could lead to more effective and safer therapies.

Development and evaluation of a polymer material-based formulation for non-surgical nasolabial fold reduction.

Currently, nasolabial folds are mainly removed by invasive procedures, resulting in long-lasting changes, as non-surgical user-implementable alternatives are scarce and inefficient. For example, the use of coating films for this purpose has thus far faced substantial difficulties because such films should combine the antithetical properties of shrinkability and flexibility. Herein, we challenge this status quo by identifying a polymer that simultaneously exhibits shrinkability and flexibility and using this polymer to develop a cosmetic formulation for immediate and non-invasive nasolabial fold removal. The developed formulation, namely a solution of norbornene/tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylnorbornene copolymer in disiloxane, was tested on a group of Japanese women using visual evaluation, three-dimensional shape analysis and ultrasonography. The polymer film obtained upon drying the formulation was subjected to shrinkage and flexibility tests, and its synchronization with the skin was examined using optical microscopy. The free volume of the polymer films was evaluated using positron annihilation measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. Upon application, the liquid formulation rapidly dries to produce a skin-synchronized polymer film that exhibits significant drying-induced shrinkage without cracking, thereby exerting a lift-up effect and inducing changes in the internal skin structure to efficiently reduce the nasolabial fold, providing a feeling of rejuvenation. On average, the proposed treatment decreases the nasolabial fold depth by 1 mm, increases the opening angle of the nasolabial fold by 11.5° and reduces the hypodermis thickness by 0.2 mm. Our results facilitate the development of cosmetic products targeting the nasolabial fold and inspire further research in this field.

Quantification of Lawsone and p-Phenylenediamine in Natural Henna Products for Hair Colouring Available in Poland.

Henna is a powdered plant material traditionally used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes in Asia and the Mediterranean region. In North America and Europe, however, it is only used to colour the hair and decorate the body. This colouring process is due to the action of the secondary metabolite lawsone, which enables henna to produce orange to red shades of colour. The final colour effect of the henna treatment on the hair depends on many factors, including the amount of lawsone in the product used. Unfortunately, there are also henna products on the market that contain the strong allergen para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Henna products whose manufacturers do not inform consumers about the addition of PPD are a particular problem. The aim of this study was therefore not only the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of lawsone but also of PPD in selected products offered for sale as henna. Since HPLC assays are one of the most sensitive, rapid and reliable methods for the quality control of herbal raw materials, we developed and validated two independent HPLC methods with UV detection for both analytes. We found that only about 60% of the tested cosmetic products were good quality natural products containing not < 0.5% lawsone (the range was between 0.5% and 1.0%). On the other hand, up to 36% of the henna samples contained PPD (the range was between 1% and 9%), and only three out of five of these products were properly labelled. Unfortunately, most of the henna used by Polish consumers comes from online retailers and can be shipped from different regions of the world. It is difficult to adequately control this market. Therefore, proper consumer education and awareness of the risk of PPD exposure when using henna could also be crucial for the prevention and management of PPD allergy.

Analysis of Glucocorticoids as Potential Adulterants in Cosmetic Products: A Dual Approach for Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation Based on ELISA and HPLC-MS Methods

The analysis of cosmetic products represents an important field of analytical chemistry, since the demand for new formulations is continuously increasing. Regulations about prohibited/regulated compounds are applied in each country. Among the substances that are banned in cosmetics, corticosteroids represent a potential harm for consumers since the prolonged exposure to these compounds can affect health status. However, corticosteroids can be found in cosmetics as an illegal addition since they are able to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory skin problems. In this work, two different approaches for detecting corticosteroids as potential adulterants in cosmetic products were compared. First, a reversed-phase HPLC-MS method was optimized and fully validated in order to identify and quantify eight corticosteroids (methylprednisolone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, budesonide, betamethasone 17-valerate, beclomethasone dipropionate, flumethasone, and dexamethasone). This reference method was then compared with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Indeed, immunological techniques allow for rapid, low-cost, and sensitive detection of target analytes even in complex matrices, and they can be performed with simple instrumentation and by non-skilled personnel. The application of these methods on spiked cosmetic products was compared in terms of performance and advantages in order to evaluate the possibility of exploiting a complementary approach for optimizing the time for and costs of the analysis.

Caffeine as an Active Molecule in Cosmetic Products for Hair Loss: Its Mechanisms of Action in the Context of Hair Physiology and Pathology.

Caffeine has recently attracted attention as a potential remedy for hair loss. In the present review, we look into the molecule's possible mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics. At the molecular level, it appears that the physiological effects of caffeine are mainly due to the molecule's interaction with adenosine pathways which leads to an increase in cAMP level and the stimulation of metabolic activity in the hair follicle. Moreover, caffeine also acts as an antioxidant and may prevent degenerative processes. While the intact stratum corneum seems virtually impenetrable to caffeine and a range of physical and chemical methods have been proposed to facilitate its penetration, hair follicles seem to be both a main entry route into the skin and target structures for caffeine at the same time. Caffeine readily forms bonds with water and other molecules which may influence its bioavailability and should be taken into account when engineering future hair products. The results of clinical studies published so far seem promising; however, the majority of the studies of caffeine-based hair loss products offer a very low level of evidence due to considerable flaws in study designs. Nevertheless, the metabolic activity of caffeine and its ability to enter and accumulate in the hair follicles combined with the results of available clinical trials seem to indicate that caffeine could indeed prove as an effective and safe option in the management of hair loss.

Improved recommender system using Neural Network Collaborative Filtering (NNCF) for E-commerce cosmetic product

This study presents an enhanced recommender system tailored for e-commerce platforms specializing in cosmetic products. Traditional recommender systems often need help providing accurate and personalized recommendations due to the complexity and subjectivity inherent in cosmetic preferences. In e-commerce, personalized product recommendations are crucial to improving user engagement and driving sales. This paper presents an innovative approach to enhance recommendation systems by leveraging neural network collaborative filtering techniques for the cosmetic product domain. The proposed method integrates neural networks into collaborative filtering, namely neural network collaborative filtering with improved preprocessing step. To validate the effectiveness of our proposed system, extensive experiments were conducted using real-world e-commerce cosmetic datasets "eCommerce Event History in Cosmetics Shop". Additionally, we evaluate the system's performance using historical e-commerce event data in cosmetics stores, demonstrating the system's effectiveness with mean reciprocal ratings (MRR) and normalized discount cumulative gain (NDCG). Evaluation Metrics of MRR and NDCG in this study got 0.56 and 0.60, respectively, with a split of the data: 70% train data, 15% validation data, and 15% test data. This study obtained better evaluation metrics than the previous study, which had an MRR of 0.31 and NDGC of 0.32. Furthermore, this model exhibits robustness against data sparsity and cold-start problems commonly encountered in e-commerce platforms. This research advances knowledge of recommendation systems and paves the way for more personalized and efficient online shopping experiences.

Microalgae biomass: A multi-product biorefinery solution for sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and industrial symbiosis

The rapid expansion of industrialization and the depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel have urged the search for alternative and sustainable renewable resources to fulfil the escalating energy demand while reducing water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Microalgae have emerged as a promising and sustainable solution, capable of not only treating wastewater but also yielding valuable products. This study aimed to explore the primary applications of microalgae, including wastewater treatment and CO2 sequestration, while assessing the viability of utilizing the resultant microalgae biomass (MB) across diverse sectors such as liquid and gaseous biofuels, bioplastics, animal and aquatic feed, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, biofertilizers, and cosmetics production. Additionally, the study discusses the importance of assessing the environmental impacts of these applications through life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and elaborate the concept of a multi-products biorefinery system. To address the contemporary challenges of the bio-economy in simultaneously producing multiple high-value products, the biorefinery complexity index (BCI) was estimated to be 37, highlighting the need for further research to establish the practicability of a multi-products biorefinery system.

Perspectives and Purchase Decisions of Women in their 20s towards Cosmetic Products with “Animal Cruelty-Free” Label

Perspectives and Purchase Decisions of Women in their 20s towards Cosmetic Products with “Animal Cruelty-Free” Label

US Food and Drug Administration recalls of cosmetic and personal products from 2011 to 2023: A cross-sectional study

US Food and Drug Administration recalls of cosmetic and personal products from 2011 to 2023: A cross-sectional study

Scroll To Success: Unveiling the Impact of Social Media Marketing on Women's Cosmetic Product Purchasing Behavior

Scroll To Success: Unveiling the Impact of Social Media Marketing on Women's Cosmetic Product Purchasing Behavior