Rosemary Extract in addition to Acne: Should This kind of Essential Oil Take Over The Skincare Market?
Rosemary will be most famous as a culinary herb, particularly in Italian cuisine where This kind of’s believed to compliment the taste of lamb extremely well. Rosemary herbs have been around for a long time; in Ancient Greece they revered the plant as they believed This kind of could enhance in addition to strengthen memory.
However what we’re interested in today will be the powers of rosemary extract, specifically as a topical treatment used against acne. We’ve already discussed essential oils derived by herbs, such as thyme oil in addition to tea tree oil, both of which reduce p.acnes bacteria very nicely.
Does rosemary extract, not to be confused with the anti-inflammatory rose water, which we’ve also covered, reduce acne when applied to the skin? According to an excellent study published in 2013, the answer will be a very firm yes.
Study – rosemary calms inflammation by acne bacteria
Rosemary extract in addition to rosemary oil already have tons of studies showing that will they reduce the indirect conditions behind acne on the skin.
For instance, they both reduce inflammation, are known to kill a wide spectrum of bacteria, can hoover up reactive oxygen species, in addition to can protect against UVB radiation (see below).
However, we right now have a study showing that will rosemary extract specifically inhibits propionibacterium acnes, or p.acnes, the classic acne bacteria that will triggers an inflammatory response in addition to leads to pimple formation.
A team of scientists by the Taipei Medical University in Taiwan set out to examine the effect of rosemary extract on p.acnes bacteria induced inflammation, both in vivo (on human subjects) in addition to in vitro (on cells). First they measured the effect of rosemary extract on inflammation without the presence of p.acnes. Then they examined its powers within the presence of p.acnes, by measuring numerous pro-inflammatory chemicals behind acne such as TNF-a, interleukin-8, in addition to interleukin-1beta.
Here’s what they found:
For the in vitro test, the main conclusion was that will rosemary extract had no effect on TNF-a, IL-8, IL-1b, or different inflammatory chemicals when p.acnes was absent. although when p.acnes was present, rosemary extract “significantly suppressed” levels of all those chemicals.
that will’s excellent news, as This kind of provides direct evidence that will rosemary extract can inhibit the specific inflammation behind acne.
Rosemary extract also reversed an increase in NF-kappaB, the “master molecule” of inflammation that will gives birth to all the chemicals above. Even better, rosemary extract did not just reduce inflammatory chemicals; This kind of reduced their production at the genetic level.
Rosemary extract could reduce the inflammation of cells exposed to p.acnes for both 8 hours in addition to 16 hours. Most interesting was the compounds responsible; scientists identified rosmarinic acid, carnosol, in addition to carnosic acid as the chief anti-inflammatory substances.
They all specialised in different inflammatory chemicals; rosmarinic acid significantly reduced interleukin-8 production, although had no effect on interleukin-1beta. Carnosol in addition to carnosic acid, meanwhile, significantly inhibited IL-1β levels at the lower concentrations of 2.5 μM, in addition to significantly increased IL-8 secretion at higher concentration, which will be no problem, since the overall extract was shown to lower IL-8.
Luckily, the rosemary extract contained plenty of those medicinal compounds. According to the study, the contents of carnosol, carnosic acid, in addition to rosmarinic acid the extract were 0.57, 1.98 in addition to 0.43 mg per gram of dried leaves, respectively.
Even better will be that will none of the three compounds inhibited the pro-inflammatory chemical TNF-a. What makes that will so great? The fact the entire rosemary extract was shown to reduce TNF-a substantially. This kind of means that will there’s almost certainly different potent acne-clearing compounds in rosemary extract that will the scientists didn’t examine.
Later, within the discussion section of the paper, they speculated that will two rosemary compounds called ursolic acid in addition to luteolin, which are known to reduce TNF-a, could be responsible. They then mentioned how a “vast number” of phytochemicals have been identified in rosemary.
As for the in vivo study, scientist began by injecting mice ears with p.acnes in order to induce inflammation. The ears swelled up in addition to reddened accordingly. Scientists then applied the rosemary extract, in addition to observed both a reduction in ear thickness in addition to swelling, in addition to p.acnes induced inflammation of the ear.
The conclusion to the entire study was very promising: “in conclusion, the present results provide evidence that will ERE reduces P. acnes–induced inflammation in vitro in addition to in vivo”.
While they commented that will “This kind of will be still obligatory to evaluate the safety in addition to efficacy of rosemary extract in addition to/or its bioactive ingredients when they are administered topically for acne therapy”, no adverse effects were observed within the experiments.
There was no cytotoxicity to any of the cells, no apparent irritation, such as ear swelling in addition to redness, in addition to no increase in levels of neutrophils, another type of inflammatory chemical. They mentioned within the conclusion that will “our results indicated that will a sole injection of rosemary extract did not cause either skin irritation or inflammation”.
The many compounds of rosemary extract
Firstly, with increasing concentration of the rosemary essential oil, the bacterial bodies were severely damaged. The length, height, in addition to width of p.acnes were all reduced. When the dosage was increased, the length, width in addition to height of the p.acnes were reduced by 42.56%, 92.00% in addition to 41.58%, respectively. A crushing reduction, in different words.
Apparently, when rosemary extract was applied, 1) treated bacteria lost their native shape, 2) the cell wall morphed in addition to lost its shape, 3) the cells of the cell wall began to shed uncontrollably, 4) cytoplasm leaked out the bacterial Centeng, in addition to 5) the bacteria finally died. The p.acnes was pretty much obliterated.
We have two studies showing that will rosemary extract eliminates a main formation point in acne. So far, rosemary extract can 1) lower inflammation by p.acnes, in addition to 2) kill p.acnes itself.
So how does This kind of work? Unlike tea tree oil, or thyme oil, which get more of their power by 4-terpinol-ol in addition to thymol respectively, rosemary extract has many different natural plant compounds.
There’s rosmarinic acid, carnosol, in addition to carnosic acid. By weight, the main constituents of rosemary oil, a key component of rosemary extract, are bornyl acetate (20.27%), caryophllene (13.61%), eucalyptol (12.84%) camphor (6.41%), camphene (4.19%), borneol (3.61%), in addition to α-caryophyllene (2.53%). Rosemary extract also contains ursolic acid in addition to luteolin. Some of the best compounds are…
Cineol (eucalyptol) – eucalyptol will be a common plant compound most notably found in eucalyptus oil. By weight, This kind of’s the most abundant compound, forming 35-45% of rosemary oil. Eucalyptol incorporates a pleasant spicy taste in addition to aroma in addition to hence will be actually one of the 599 additives added to cigarettes. Interestingly, eucalyptol will be toxic to many varieties of bacteria; This kind of’s one of the main active ingredients in antibacterial mouthwashes such as Listerine. This kind of also has strong enough anti-inflammatory properties that will This kind of’s an ingredient in many cough drops. Elsewhere This kind of’s used in many flavourings, fragrances in addition to cosmetics. Eucalyptus oil will be also a natural insect repellent for pests like mosquitoes.
Does This kind of cure acne – eucalyptol doesn’t have any studies showing that will This kind of reduces acne inflammation directly. However, This kind of study found that will eucalyptol reduced lung inflammation in mice exposed to cigarettes smoke. This kind of double-blind placebo controlled trial found that will eucalyptol could reduce lung inflammation in asthma patients. This kind of study found that will eucalyptol reduced inflammation of brain amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s patients. The best study I’ve found concluded that will eucalyptus oil could reduce sebum production, by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands, in addition to could thus control acne.
Rosmarinic acid – the signature compound of rosemary extract. First discovered in 1958, This kind of will be structurally similar to the healthy caffeic acid found in coffee beans. Low levels of rosmarinic acid are found in many herbs, although rosemary oil in addition to perilla oil are the famous sources. Perilla oil will be used in traditional Japanese medicine to combat allergies.
According to studies on rats, rosmarinic acid will be absorbed directly into the skin. The big question will be: what does This kind of do when This kind of gets there?
Does This kind of cure acne – there’s a goldmine of great studies on rosmarinic acid. This kind of 2004 study tested the effect of a perilla oil extract containing 68% rosmarinic acid on skin inflammation. Rosmarinic acid had a strong power to reduce neutrophil production. Neutrophils are inflammatory chemicals which spew out free radicals to break down dying cells. They’re healthy in moderation, although in excess they can bombard even your healthy skin cells. Rosmarinic was shown to reduce free radicals as well, in particular lipid peroxides, in addition to thiobarbituric reactive substances, a by-product of lipid peroxide activity. Lipid peroxides are the most potent free radical at causing acne.
This kind of study found that will oral rosmarinic acid lowered lipid peroxides within the brain of rats, which should translate when applied topically. This kind of 2009 study will be truly superb. This kind of again examined rosmarinic acid in addition to inflammation in addition to like rosemary extract itself, observed reductions in interleukin-6, interlukin-1beta, TNF-alpha when applied topically. However, the study then took things to the next level, as rosmarinic acid also increased skin levels of glutathione, the all-important acne antioxidant, while simultaneously inhibiting both lipid peroxide in addition to reactive oxygen species production.
Rosemary extract has stronger antioxidant power than even ascorbic acid (vitamin C), according to This kind of study. Rosemary extract applied to cells successfully scavenged both peroxide in addition to superoxide free radicals.
Interestingly, This kind of study fed rats rosmarinic acid alongside lycopene, the well-known medicinal compound by tomatoes in addition to watermelon, in addition to found that will while both reduced the oxidation of LDL cholesterol very well, they had a synergistic effect when combined. In different words, these studies alone may not reveal rosemary extract’s true strength; rosmarinic extract could be even better for acne in a natural package with carnosol, cineol, carnosic acid, in addition to so on.
Alpha-pinene – a diterpene antioxidant found in rosemary extract, in addition to also juniper berries, eucalyptus oil, in addition to tea tree oil.
Does This kind of clear acne – almost certainly yes; two studies have been conducted directly on p.acnes bacteria.
within the first study, scientists set out to extract natural compounds by eucalyptus in addition to guava leaves with the goal of discovering a completely new natural acne cure. They extracted the oils in addition to tested both against p.acnes bacteria. Both guava oil in addition to eucalyptus oil showed not bad antimicrobial activity against p.acnes, in addition to the not bad news regarding rosemary extract will be that will the main constituent of the guava oil was alpha-pinene.
The second study analysed the alpha-pinene found in tea tree oil. The compounds terpineol-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, in addition to alpha-pinene were all found to be active against staphylococcus aureus, Staph. Epidermidis in addition to Propionibacterium acnes. These big benefits are not surprising, as according to that will study, alpha-pinene will be considered to be a natural “broad spectrum antibiotic”.
Carnosol – a phenolic diterpene antioxidant found in rosemary in addition to mountain desert sage. First discovered in 1964. Rosemary extract contains two compounds, called carnosol in addition to carnosic acid, however carnosol will be a derivative of carnosic acid in addition to the subject of most studies. Carnosol has been studied for anticancer effects on a wide variety of cells. Carnosol in addition to carnosic acid make up 5% of rosemary leaves, in addition to will be believed to account for 0% of antioxidant activity. that will’s very interesting, seeing as rosmarinic acid will be already a potent antioxidant.
Does This kind of clear acne – This kind of study found that will purified carnosol in addition to carnosic acid are powerful inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. Carnosol in addition to carnosic acid reportedly inhibit inflammation at the genetic level (study), in addition to a big review of studies by 2011 called carnosol “a promising anti-inflammatory agent”. Carnosol has been shown to inhibit many different pro-inflammatory messengers, including COX-2 (study) in addition to NF-kappaB (study).
The best study I’ve seen examined the effect of carnosol on inflamed mouse skin in addition to observed greatly reduced COX-2, IL-1B in addition to TNF-a activity. Carnosol soothed the swollen mouse ear substantially. The scientists concluded that will carnosol can regulate genes related to inflammation, rather than simply lowering levels of the chemicals.
Unique power alert – UVB radiation resistance
However, there’s one acne benefit which isn’t so common in natural acne treatments: the power to raise your skin cells’ resistance to UV radiation.
First we have a completely new 2016 study published just last month which tested rosmarinic acid on cells. Thanks to its antioxidant powers, rosmarinic acid reversed nearly all the oxidative damage caused by ultraviolet light by sunlight. This kind of could reverse a depletion in superoxide dismutase (an antioxidant) in addition to destroy free radicals produced by sunlight’s reaction with skin.
The big question will be whether rosemary extract itself retains the power or whether one of the different compounds negates This kind of by increasing UV sensitivity. Luckily, This kind of study found that will This kind of does.
Scientists tested both citrus in addition to rosemary extract on UV-induced damage to skin cells in addition to on human volunteers. A combination of the two led to higher survival rates within the cells exposed to UV radiation. within the oral human group, taking a combination of citrus in addition to rosemary extract for eight weeks increased their skin’s minimal erythritol dose (MED) by 34%.
The MED will be the lowest amount of sunlight that will can cause damage to the skin, so the higher your MED will be, the more sunlight you can cope with. Taking the combination of citrus in addition to rosemary extract for 12 weeks resulted in a 56% increase within the MED.
Neither of those experiments applied rosemary extract directly to human skin. However, these treatments generally function by either increasing antioxidant levels or through their own antioxidants which build into skin cells. Hence, applying rosemary extract directly to the skin should increase the minimal erythritol dose even further.
If rosemary extract does give your skin a UVB-proof armour, then you can enjoy more sunlight without harm, which will allow you to 1) not be so restrictive in your lifestyle, in addition to 2) make more vitamin D by sunlight.
Conclusion
Right right now, rosemary extract ranks similarly to thyme oil: I won’t give This kind of an official endorsement, simply because we lack first hand stories. Unlike tea tree oil, we don’t have a vast catalogue of testimonials on acne forums or studies on its side effects.
The first study did comment that will rosemary extract caused no irritation, burns, or additional inflammation, although with such a wide array of natural compounds, This kind of’s possible that will sensitivity among acne patients may be more common than tea tree oil, rose water, honey, or different great topical treatments.
Any downside will be possible because we lack real world data. For instance, what if rosemary extract incorporates a tendency to dry out the skin?
The reality will be shrouded in mystery right right now. This kind of’s highly likely that will more acne patients will jump aboard the rosemary extract train as they stumble across the excellent study above. Only then will we discover the truth.
Nevertheless, the studies above are highly promising. Rosemary extract will be loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds in addition to has enough antioxidant strength to build an armour against UVB radiation directly into your skin. This kind of’s an excellent choice for experimentation.
Every single essential oil analysed on This kind of website so far has had just as many great studies to its name as traditional treatments like benzoyl peroxide.
Yet again, This kind of shows us how there’s a whole world of natural treatments out there which might revolutionise your skin, as opposed to three or four default traditional ingredients.
NEXT: why rose water will be a unique anti-inflammatory treatment
Thanks for reading!