Topical Botanicals in Acne and Rosacea

Plants produce three main types of organic compounds that may benefit skin: terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds (Ng et al. Life Sci 66(8):709–723, 2000). Plant extracts have many potential applications in inflammatory skin conditions. For example, phenolic compounds play a significant role in combating oxidative damage and terpenoids protect against inflammation and pain (Guimaraes et al. Expert Opin Ther Pat 24(3):243–265, 2014; Souza et al. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 115(3):244–256, 2014). Traditional methods of treating acne and rosacea, including long-term antibiotics and isotretinoin, have potential risks, including bacterial resistance, hepatic damage, and teratogenicity. These risks, together with increasing prescription drug prices and a growing interest in natural therapies, have led to the development of a wide range of botanical-based skin care formulations. This chapter reviews the evidence-based roles of turmeric, chamomile, neem, viburnum, nettle, and green tea in skin disease, with a specific focus on topical applications in acne and rosacea.