Antibacterial and antioxidant strategies for acne treatment through plant extracts

The influence of cosmetics dedicated to oily and acne-prone skin on skin parameters

INTRODUCTION

Patient compliance with care recommendations is closely related to the role of cosmetics in delaying or preventing the side effects of medications used to treat acne.

METHODS

A total of 33 volunteers with symptoms of acne vulgaris were qualified for the study. The skin parameters were measured before the experiment, after the 4 and at the 8 weeks of use. The measurements were subject to moisturizing the skin and secretion of sebum and skin color. A skin acoustic parameters using high-frequency ultrasound (33 MHz) was also performed. The recorded images were used to determine the epidermal entrance echo thickness and echo density of dermis.

RESULTS

The results show a change in the value of skin parameters during the 8-week application of a specific skin care procedure. The secretion of sebum did not change significantly, there was a decrease in hydration, and the level of melanin and hemoglobin remained at the same level. The thickness of the epidermis entrance echo in the ultrasound image was thinned.

CONCLUSION

For many mild/moderate acne patients, cosmetics proven to be effective and well tested in clinical trials can offer a real benefit in reducing both inflammation, sebum production, melanin, and irritation, but should also be moisturizing.

An Insight into Biomolecules for the Treatment of Skin Infectious Diseases

In assigning priorities, skin infectious diseases are frequently classified as minor when compared to infectious diseases of high mortality rates, such as tuberculosis or HIV. However, skin infections are amongst the most common and prevalent diseases worldwide. Elderly individuals present an increased susceptibility to skin infections, which may develop atypical signs and symptoms or even complicate pre-existing chronic disorders. When the skin fails to correct or inhibit the action of certain pathogenic microorganisms, biomolecules endowed with antimicrobial features are frequently administered topically or systemically to assist or treat such conditions. (1) Antibiotics, (2) antimicrobial peptides, or (3) natural extracts display important features that can actively inhibit the propagation of these pathogens and prevent the evolution of infectious diseases. This review highlights the properties and mechanisms of action of these biomolecules, emphasizing their effects on the most prevalent and difficult to treat skin infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The versatility of biomolecules’ actions, their symbiotic effects with skin cells and other inherent antimicrobial components, and their target-directed signatures are also explored here.