Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Application in Cosmetics

Scutellaria baicalensis, also named Chinese skullcap, is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family. It has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2,000 years in China; and it has been officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The main active ingredient of scutellaria baicalensis is flavonoids, of which the content of baicalin and baicalein is the highest. Modern pharmacological research shows that scutellaria baicalensis has antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and other effects. Cosmetics are mainly made from its dried roots. Scutellaria baicalensis extract is widely used in anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory cosmetics. It can also be used as a cosmetic additive for whitening, sunscreen and anti-aging.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract’s Benefits for Skin Care

• Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory

According to a study of Pharmacological Laboratory of Tianjin Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute, scutellaria baicalensis extract has significant anti-inflammatory activity. It can inhibit xylene-induced ear swelling in mice. Also it has obvious inhibitory effect on itch reaction induced by low molecular weight dextran and itch reaction induced by histamine in guinea pigs. The study also has proved that scutellaria baicalensis can inhibit the contraction of guinea pig ileum caused by histamine. It indicates that scutellaria baicalensis extract can antagonize histamine, and has strong anti-allergic effect. In addition, scutellaria baicalensis extract has an inhibitory effect on hyaluronidase (hyaluronidase is a mucopolysaccharidase, its strong inhibitor has anti-allergic effect). Thus, it also indicates that scutellaria baicalensis extract has anti-allergic property. Therefore, scutellaria baicalensis extract can be used in cosmetics for relieving skin itching and skin irritation.

Inhibition of scutellaria baicalensis on hyaluronidase

NOTE: SBRT- Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract; DMY- Dihydromyricetin

Effect of scutellaria baicalensis extract on skin pruritus induced by histamine

• Sun protection

A study by School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University pointed out that scutellaria baicalensis extract contains flavonoids. So it has strong UV absorption capacity, and can attenuate UV-induced HaCaT cell death. The study also showed that sunscreens containing 24% zinc oxide (a light stabilizer) had a sun protection factor (SPF) of 17.8; while adding 5% scutellaria baicalensis extract, SPF is as high as 22.7. This indicates that scutellaria baicalensis extract can be used as a safe and effective cosmetic sunscreen. It has strong UV-absorbing ability in the range of 320nm-400nm (UV-A). It can protect skin and prevent sunburn.

Ultraviolet absorption of scutellaria baicalensis extract

NOTE: OUGON Extract Powder-Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract; PABA- para-aminobenzoic acid

Ultraviolet absorption capacity of cream containing scutellaria baicalensis extract

• Anti-aging

Scutellaria baicalensis extract can eliminate free radicals, significantly inhibiting formation of lipid peroxides. Moreover, it can enhance skin’s antioxidant capacity. With age and ultraviolet radiation, human telomeres (ends of DNA) are gradually shortened, which causes body to age and affect fibroblasts. The fibroblasts provide collagen to skin. In a research published by the World Health Organization, researchers used ultraviolet light to illuminate skin cells. In skin cells not containing scutellaria extract, the telomere length was reduced by nearly 70%. However, in skin cells applying scutellaria extract, the telomeres recovered to 64% of their original length. It indicates that scutellaria baicalensis extract can increase skin metabolism, increase skin elasticity. Meanwhile, it has anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effect.

• Skin-whitening

Scutellaria baicalensis extract has strong tyrosinase inhibition activity. It can reduce the formation of melanin in the skin, and has certain whitening and freckle effects. A study invites 15 volunteers to test whitening effect of cutellaria baicalensis (13 cases had chloasma or freckles, 2 cases had no obvious spots but the skin is dark, all women). The experimental results show that 8 of the 13 with pigmentation are markedly effective (skin lesion fading rate is above 60%), and the effective rate was 61.5%; 3 cases are effective (skin lesion is reduced by 20%-60%), and the effective rate is 23.1%; 2 cases are ineffective (less than 20% reduction in lesions), and the ineffective rate is 15.4%. In 2 cases with darker skin, the melanin is significantly reduced after using the experimentally products, and the skin become white, with a total effective rate of 84.6%.

Effect of scutellaria baicalensis extract on melanin production of B16F10 cells

Plamed develops cosmetics grade scutellaria baicalensis extract. It has good water solubility and lighter color. Its water solution has no precipitation.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract Application in Cosmetics

Plant source: scutellaria baicalensis dried roots

INCI Name: SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT

Appearance: light yellow powder

Solubility: water solubility

Dosage: 0.3-2%

Applicable Products: toner, cream, lotion, gel, shampoo, eye cream etc.

Skin Care Function: Sun protection, anti-aging, anti-oxidation, anti-allergic, skin-whitening

Compared to Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, there is another potent skin relieving ingredient DCR516. As a new kind of sensitive skin soothing raw material, DCR 516 is of more lighter color and more water-soluble than scutellaria baicalensis extract. 

Bottom Line

The main ingredient of scutellaria baicalensis extract is baicalein and baicalin. They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-oxidant and anti-ultraviolet radiation functions. It is widely applied in antibacterial, anti-inflammation and anti-allergy cosmetics. It can also prevent and treat acne. sunscreen, whitening, anti-aging and other functional cosmetics. At present, scutellaria baicalensis extract is  used in many cosmetics products, such as Estee Lauder, Sulwhasoo, Shiseido, Whoo, Clinique, etc.

Reference

Assessment of Dermal Safety of Scutellaria baicalensis Aqueous Extract Topical Application on Skin Hypersensitivity. Tae-Won Kim et al. 2013.

Effect of Anti-oxidation and Inhibition of Melanogenesis from Scutellaria baicalensis Extract. Na-Young Kim. February, 2014.

In vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effects of an extract of a traditional Chinese medicine preparation. Li Li et al. October, 2017.

Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants. Qing Zhao et al. July, 2016.

Scutellaria radix Extract as a Natural UV Protectant for Human Skin. Jin Kyung Seok et al. March, 2016.