Green tea extract, extracted from the leaves of this evergreen, highly branched shrub, plays a central role in many aspects of our lives. From drug extraction to use in cosmetics and health products, this extract has a diverse range of applications. In this article, we will take a closer look at the botany of Camellia…

The harp shrub Plectranthus barbatus is native to tropical regions of Africa, China, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the labiates family and is a semi-shrub. With its beautiful purple-blue flowers and relatively large foliage leaves, it is extremely attractive to look at. But the peculiarity of the harp shrub lies not only…

Ellagic acid, a member of the polyphenol family, has gained attention for its exceptional antioxidant properties. It is found in abundance in several fruits and can also be extracted from the leaves and seeds of corresponding plants. Fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, walnuts, and pomegranates are particularly rich sources of this valuable compound. The healing…

Succinic acid, also known butanedioic acid, is a crystalline, colorless, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid that is a metabolic intermediate in both the citric acid cycle and the urea cycle.  The formation of succinic acid is due to the oxidation of succinyl-CoA, which in turn results from the metabolic process of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Succinic acid…

Today, well-cared for feet and stylish shoes are important components of a perfect appearance. However, many people are more concerned with fashion trends than comfort. If shoes are too tight, causing pressure points, or if the lining rubs against the skin, this can lead to uncomfortable blisters and, in the long term, corns. The body…

Vitamin C is one of the most researched vitamins of all. It is a powerful antioxidant that reduces wrinkles, helps fight bacterial infections, and has a great effect on the formation of collagen. Unfortunately, it is not very stable, which is why ethyl ascorbic acid (EA) is increasingly used in cosmetic formulations. EA is a…

Hydrating face masks can be found in almost every cosmetics cabinet. They bring our skin back into balance and are simply part of an extensive care ritual. The ingredients of the beauty boosters penetrate into the upper layers of the skin and, depending on their composition, can have a moisturizing, invigorating, cleansing or soothing effect.…

The number of potential allergens to be declared in future has been published in a new allergen list. A new Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending the Annexes to the EC Cosmetics Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU of 27 July 2023 (L 188). The purpose of this regulation…

As useful as our bees are, a sting is usually very painful and unpleasant. The swelling, pain and itching are caused by the bee venom, which the bee injects into its “opponent” via the venom sting. In the worst case, bee venom can even trigger life-threatening allergic reactions: One more reason to avoid the industrious…

Wax from exotic or indigenous plants is very precious and rare, as only an extremely small amount can be obtained from each plant. This also applies to jasmine wax. The wafer-thin layer of wax protects the delicate jasmine petals from drying out and is therefore vital for the plant’s survival. Luxury jasmine wax is an…