written by: Allison Goins, Ph.D. | Published on November 16th at 6:00 am

Chrysanthemum is another plant that is becoming popular in skincare, especially for its ability to treat uneven skin tone and dark spots. Like so many other plants, with its high concentration of antioxidants, it has the potential to offer multiple benefits for your skin. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind the marketed benefits of chrysanthemum in skin care and if it works as a natural hyperpigmentation treatment.

Chrysanthemum Benefits for Skin

Chrysanthemums are not just a single plant. It is a genus of plants. And if you are familiar with the other popular natural skin care ingredient, Calendula, they belong to the same family.

Related Post: Calendula for Skin The Science Behind its Marketed Benefits

For skincare applications, the most popular species of chrysanthemum is the Chrysanthemum indicium. Chrysanthemum indicium extract is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, which have been shown to help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Natural Antioxidants for Skin

These free radicals accelerate aging and contribute to hyperpigmentation and other skin issues. By neutralizing these harmful molecules, you can help brighten your skin and prevent the signs of premature aging.

The key marketed benefits of Chrysanthemum indicum extract in skincare include:

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Chrysanthemum helps reduce redness and irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
• Brightening effects: Chrysanthemum extract can help fade dark spots and improve skin tone by calming inflamed skin and reducing oxidative stress.
• Antioxidant protection: These antioxidants help protect the skin from environmental damage, essential for preventing signs of aging.

But like with many natural ingredients, just because an important active is present does not mean it is at a high enough concentration to improve your skin significantly. So, let’s break down what the science says about chrysanthemum extract in skincare and whether it is truly a natural hyperpigmentation treatment.

The Science of Chrysanthemum Extract In Skincare

Scientists are studying Chrysanthemum extract as a treatment for common skin issues, including rosacea, and as a natural hyperpigmentation treatment. Chrysanthemum extract contains flavonoids and phenols, which are natural antioxidants. While there is no evidence of the exact mechanism that natural antioxidants have on tyrosinase inhibition, many cell studies show that flavonoids and phenols can inhibit tyrosinase activity.

Tyrosinase is an essential enzyme in the production of melanin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin forms dark patches on the skin, often caused by sun damage, acne scars, or aging.

Related Post: What is Melanin and How Does Melanin Protect Skin?

However, what can be shown in a petri dish does not always translate to your skin because your body is so much more complex than a dish of cells. I could only find two studies examining the topical application of chrysanthemum extracts. The first study examined the effect of 1% chrysanthemum extract on redness associated with rosacea after 12 weeks, and they saw a significant reduction in redness. In the second, volunteers used a 0.5% chrysanthemum extract cream for six weeks. They saw a decrease in melanin levels over 6 weeks compared to a placebo group that received the cream with no active, and they showed no effect.

So, what does this mean for chrysanthemum extract? This means the extract may be promising as a natural hyperpigmentation and redness treatment. Two studies do not provide enough evidence to provide a firm answer, and more research is needed. If you have a product that works well for you, there is not enough evidence to justify switching.

However, if you like trying new products and ingredients, this could be an option for you.

How to Use Chrysanthemum As A Natural Hyperpigmentation Treatment

Incorporating chrysanthemum extract into your skincare routine is easy. There are many serums, creams, and masks that include chrysanthemum extract as a key ingredient. As you are looking for these products, you want to ensure they have chrysanthemum indicium extract on the ingredient list because this is the chrysanthemum studied for skin care.

For the best results in your hyperpigmentation treatment routine, look for products that combine chrysanthemum with other brightening agents like vitamin C or kojic acid. And you definitely cannot skip out on the daily sunscreen. You can use these products in your morning routine before sunscreen as an added layer of protection. These combinations enhance the brightening and protective effects, offering a more robust solution for evening skin tone and reducing dark spots.

The post Chrysanthemum Extract in Skincare: A Natural Hyperpigmentation Treatment? first appeared on Relatable Science.