Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. uralensis, and G. inflata) and Their Constituents as Active Cosmeceutical Ingredients

The interest in plant extracts and natural compounds in cosmetic formulations is growing. Natural products may significantly improve cosmetics performance since they have both cosmetic and therapeutic-like properties, known as cosmeceutical effects. Glycyrrhiza genus, belonging to the Leguminosae family, comprises more than 30 species, widely distributed worldwide. The rhizomes and roots are the most important medicinal parts currently used in pharmaceutical industries and in the production of functional foods and food supplements. In the last few years, the interest in their potential activities in cosmetic formulations has greatly increased. Glycyrrhiza spp. extracts are widely implemented in cosmetic products for their good whitening effect. The biological effects of Glycyrrhiza extracts are especially ascribable to the occurrence of specialized metabolites belonging to the flavonoid class. This review focuses on the botany and the chemistry of the main investigated Glycyrrhiza spp. (G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. inflata) along with their cosmeceutical activities categorized as skin anti-aging, photoprotective, hair care, and anti-acne. It has been highlighted how, along with Glycyrrhiza extracts, three main flavonoids namely licochalcone A, glabridin, and dehydroglyasperin C are the most investigated compounds. It is noteworthy that other molecules from licorice show potential cosmeceutical effects. These data suggest further investigations to clarify their potential value for cosmetic industries.

Whitening effect of brushing with activated charcoal-based products on enamel: integrative review

Objective: The purpose in this study was to analyze in the literature whether toothbrushing with charcoal-based products promotes a whitening effect. Methodology: An integrative literature review was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE database, which had as its guiding question: Does brushing with activated charcoal-based products have a whitening effect on the tooth? The search strategy was performed through the use of terms (charcoal AND “dentifrice OR toothpaste OR toothbrushing” AND “bleaching OR whitening” AND tooth), and only articles published in English in any period were included. Result: From a total of 34 scientific articles identified, 6 articles were included in the study, between the years 2019 and 2021. According to the evidence, three articles did not observe an advantage in performing brushing with activated charcoal-based products and another three observed a slight whitening effect, generally inferior when compared to other whitening agents. In addition, most articles recommend attention to the use of these products for oral hygiene containing charcoal, since many of these studies observed an increase on the roughness of tooth enamel, which is directly related to the inherent abrasiveness of each product and which depends on the source and the methods used to prepare and mill charcoal. Conclusion: From the studies analyzed so far, it is observed that brushing products based on activated charcoal have few effectiveness of tooth whitening, often lower when compared to other abrasive agents present in whitening dentifrices.

Efeito da aplicação prévia ou adição de dessensibilizantes em géis de peróxido de hidrogênio no esmalte clareado

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide (35HP) gels with different desensitizing agents on color, microhardness and roughness of bleached enamel. Forty enamel-dentin specimens (6x6x2 mm2) were obtained from twenty human molars. After color measurement with a spectrophotometer, the specimens were randomized into four groups (n= 10): 35HPw- 35HP without desensitizing agent; 35HPCa- 35HP with calcium; 35HPK- 35HP with 0.5% potassium nitrate; 35HPTFa- 35HPw + topical application of 5% potassium nitrate and 2% sodium fluoride (TFa). Specimens were evaluated for color (∆Eab* and ∆E00), Vickers microhardness (VHN) and, superficial and volumetric roughness (Ra and Sa, µm) using a 3D non-contact profilometer before and 1-week after bleaching. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (p< 0.05). Both treatment groups promoted a significant whitening effect and there was no difference between them for any color parameters evaluated. All groups reduced significantly the VHN, but the 35HPK showed a reduction significantly major than the other groups. 35HPCa and 35HP+TFa did not avoid the of Ra and Sa increasing. It can be concluded that 35HP bleaching gels with different desensitizing agents did not affect the whitening efficacy. However, all treatments decreased the microhardness, the addition of calcium into 35HP gel and the application of TFa before bleaching did not revert the enamel roughness under in vitro conditions.

Hydrogen’s Antiaging and Whitening Effects on Skin

This study was conducted to confirm the suitability of hydrogen as a functional cosmetic ingredient by evaluating the anti-aging and whitening effect of hydrogen, known as an excellent antioxidant. Cosmetic hydrogen powder was prepared to investigate its inhibitory activity on elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase, and a hydrogen pack was produced using the prepared cosmetic powder to conduct clinical trials. The results showed that hydrogen powder had excellent anti-aging activation and whitening effect. In clinical trials, skin elasticity was increased by 15%, skin sagging decreased by 4.53%, and skin tone improved by 4.86%, compared to the control group. These results suggest that hydrogen has excellent anti-aging and whitening effect. Therefore, it is highly likely that hydrogen can be used as a functional cosmetic ingredient for wrinkle improvement and skin whitening.