Volume : 13, Issue : 01, January – 2026

Title:

NATURE’S TOUCH IN COSMETICS: A REVIEW OF SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS FROM NATURAL SOURCES

Authors :

Ayesha Siddiqua Gazi, Huma Fathima, Madiha Sadaf, Ramsha Fatima

Abstract :

There are various kinds of natural ingredients used in the cosmetics for skincare, which are obtained from different sources such as plants, animals, minerals, marine, micro-organisms etc. Among which this article elaborates about the information of a few natural ingredients including Liquorice, Centella asiatica, green tea extract, Collagen, Honey, Mucin, Kaolin. Now-a-days there is an increase in the usage of natural ingredients in skin care cosmetics due to minimized side effects or adverse effects, but the drawback is their interaction with other ingredients or excipients in the formulation, allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, other challenges in the preparation. There is an increase in research and advancement of making novel products using natural ingredients. Thus, the increased demand for natural substances is prevailing in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
Keywords: Centella asiatica, Camellia sinensis, Mucin, Kaolin clay, benefits, challenges, recent advances.

Cite This Article:

Please cite this article in press Huma Fathima et al., Nature’s Touch In Cosmetics: A Review Of Skin Care Ingredients From Natural Sources, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(01).

REFERENCES:

1. Mainkar, A., Mukherjee, D., Tabrej, A., Dhawal, P., & Vaze, K. (2022). A glabridin-enriched licorice extract demonstrates multifunction skin benefits in vitro. SOFW Journal (English version), Life, 12(11), 1772. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111772
2. Fatoki, T. H., Ajiboye, B. O., & Aremu, A. O. (2023). In Silico Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Dermatocosmetic Activities of Phytoconstituents in Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). Cosmetics, 10(3), 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10030069
3. Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S. S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M. F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M. S., & Amir, M. (2021). Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants, 10(12), 2751. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122751
4. Dini, I., & Laneri, S. (2021). The new challenge of green cosmetics: Natural food ingredients for cosmetic formulations. Molecules, 26(13), 3921. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133921
5. Hein, Z. M., Gopalakrishna, P. K., Kanuri, A. K., Thomas, W., Hussan, F., Naik, V. R., Shantakumari, N., Che Ramli, M. D., Mohd Moklas, M. A., Che Mohd Nassir, C. M. N., & Vishnumukkala, T. (2025). Centella asiatica: Advances in Extraction Technologies, Phytochemistry, and Therapeutic Applications. Life, 15(7), 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071081
6. Witkowska, K., Paczkowska-Walendowska, M., Garbiec, E., & Cielecka-Piontek, J. (2024). Topical Application of Centella asiatica in Wound Healing: Recent Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy. Pharmaceutics, 16(10), 1252. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16101252
7. Park, H. S., & Shin, S. (2025). Clinical Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of a Centella asiatica (CICA)-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Formulation for Anti-Aging Skincare. Cosmetics, 12(4), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040135
8. Chang, T.-M., Wu, C.-C., Huang, H.-C., Lu, J.-Y., Chuang, C.-H., Kao, P.-L., Tang, W.-H., Liu, L. T.-C., Qiu, W.-Y., Percec, I., Chen, C., & Kuo, T.-Y. (2025). A 28-Day Pilot Study of the Effects on Facial Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Texture of a Centella asiatica Extracellular Vesicle-Based Skin Care Formulation. Cosmetics, 12(5), 186. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12050186
9. Xu, F. W., Lv, Y. L., Zhong, Y. F., Xue, Y. N., Wang, Y., Zhang, L. Y., Hu, X., & Tan, W. Q. (2021). Beneficial Effects of Green Tea EGCG on Skin Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(20), 6123. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26206123
10. Sun, J., Jiang, Y., Fu, J., He, L., Guo, X., Ye, H., Yin, C., Li, H., & Jiang, H. (2024). Beneficial Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Preventing Skin Photoaging: A Review. Molecules, 29(22), 5226. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225226
11. Liao, R., Parker, T., Bellerose, K., Vollmer, D., & Han, X. (2022). A Green Tea Containing Skincare System Improves Skin Health and Beauty in Adults: An Exploratory Controlled Clinical Study. Cosmetics, 9(5), 96. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics9050096
12. Stoeva-Grigorova, S., Ivanova, N., Sotirova, Y., Radeva-Ilieva, M., Hvarchanova, N., & Georgiev, K. (2025). Lipid-Based Nanotechnologies for Delivery of Green Tea Catechins: Advances, Challenges, and Therapeutic Potential. Pharmaceutics, 17(8), 985. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17080985
13. Amirrah, I. N., Lokanathan, Y., Zulkiflee, I., Wee, M. F. M. R., Motta, A., & Fauzi, M. B. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on Collagen Type I Development of Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering: From Biosynthesis to Bioscaffold. Biomedicines, 10(9), 2307. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092307
14. Pu, S.-Y., Huang, Y.-L., Pu, C.-M., Kang, Y.-N., Hoang, K. D., Chen, K.-H., & Chen, C. (2023). Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 15(9), 2080. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092080
15. Rahman, A., Rehmani, R., Pirvu, D. G., Huang, S. M., Puri, S., & Arcos, M. (2024). Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Marine Collagen: A Scientific Exploration for Delaying Skin Aging. Marine drugs, 22(4), 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/md22040159
16. Shenoy, M., Abdul, N. S., Qamar, Z., Bahri, B. M. A., Al Ghalayini, K. Z. K., & Kakti, A. (2022). Collagen Structure, Synthesis, and Its Applications: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 14(5), e24856. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.24856
17. Wosicka-Frąckowiak, H., Poniedziałek, K., Woźny, S., Kuprianowicz, M., Nyga, M., Jadach, B., & Milanowski, B. (2024). Collagen and Its Derivatives Serving Biomedical Purposes: A Review. Polymers, 16(18), 2668. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182668
18. Becerril-Sánchez, A. L., Quintero-Salazar, B., Dublán-García, O., & Escalona-Buendía, H. B. (2021). Phenolic Compounds in Honey and Their Relationship with Antioxidant Activity, Botanical Origin, and Color. Antioxidants, 10(11), 1700. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10111700
19. Chrysostomou, D., Pokorná, A., Cremers, N. A. J., & Peters, L. J. F. (2024). Medical-Grade Honey Is a Versatile Wound Care Product for the Elderly. JAR life, 13, 51–59. https://doi.org/10.14283/jarlife.2024.7
20. Cooper R. Honey as an effective antimicrobial treatment for chronic wounds: is there a place for it in modern medicine. Chronic Wound Care Management and Research. 2014;1:15-22. https://doi.org/10.2147/CWCMR.S46520
21. Gościniak, A., Attard, E., Malesza, I. J., Kamiński, A., & Cielecka-Piontek, J. (2025). Modern Honey-Based Delivery Systems for Wound Healing: A Review of Current Trends and Future Perspectives. Applied Sciences, 15(18), 9997. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189997
22. Tashkandi H. (2021). Honey in wound healing: An updated review. Open life sciences, 16(1), 1091–1100. https://doi.org/10.1515/biol-2021-0084
23. McDermott, M., Hanley, A., & O’Neill, L. (2021). Advancing discovery of snail mucins: Characterization and biomedical potential. Trends in Biotechnology, 39(12), 1284–1298.
24. Singh, N., Brown, A. N., & Gold, M. H. (2024). Snail extract for skin: A review of uses, projections, and limitations. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23(4), 1113–1121. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16269
25. Sarruf, F. D., Contreras, V. J. P., Martinez, R. M., Velasco, M. V. R., & Baby, A. R. (2024). The Scenario of Clays and Clay Minerals Use in Cosmetics/Dermocosmetics. Cosmetics, 11(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11010007
26. Zhang, X., Zhang, Z., Tao, H., He, X., Hsu, K., Wang, W., Fang, X., & Steel, A. (2023). Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin. Skin Research and Technology, 29(11), e13513. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13513
27. Awad, Mahmoud & Galindo, Alberto & Setti, Massimo & El-Rahmany, Mahmoud & Viseras, César. (2017). Kaolinite in pharmaceutics and biomedicine. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 533. 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.09.056.
28. WebMD. (n.d.). Kaolin – uses, side effects, and more. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-44/kaolin
29. Seid Mohammed, Kedir & Atlabachew, Minaleshewa & Derbie, Getahun & Berhie, Biniam. (2025). Nano modified kaolin-based materials and their application: A review. JCIS Open. 20. 100153. 10.1016/j.jciso.2025.100153.
30. Wu, Q., Liao, J., & Yang, H. (2023). Recent Advances in Kaolinite Nanoclay as Drug Carrier for Bioapplications: A Review. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 10(25), e2300672. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202300672
31. Cao, Zhou & Wang, Qizhao & Cheng, Hongfei. (2021). Recent advances in kaolinite-based material for photocatalysts. Chinese Chemical Letters. 32. 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.01.009.
32. Moraes, Jemima & Bertolino, S. & Cuffini, Silvia & DUCART, DIEGO & Bretzke, Pedro & Leonardi, Gislaine. (2017). Clay minerals: Properties and applications to dermocosmetic products and perspectives of natural raw materials for therapeutic purposes—A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 534. 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.10.031.
33. Esmaeili, H., Mirjalili, M. H., Karami, A., & Ebrahimi, S. N. (2024). Introducing the glycyrrhizic acid and glabridin rich genotypes from the cultivated Iranian licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) populations to exploit in production systems. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 11034. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61034-0
34. A Potential of Some Medicinal Plants as A Digestive Disorder Preventing Agents -A Review – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-and-7B-Active-chemical-constituents-of-Centella-asiatica_fig2_349466755 [accessed 9 Nov 2025]
35. Zhao, T., Li, C., Wang, S., & Song, X. (2022). Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): A Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. Molecules, 27(12), 3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123909
36. Collagen structure & function. (n.d.). Proteopedia. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://proteopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Collagen_Structure_%26_Function
37. Ball, D.W. (2007). The Chemical Composition of Honey. Journal of Chemical Education, 84, 1643-1646.
38. Mucin structure as chemical glycosylated proteins closeup outline diagram. (n.d.). [Diagram]. Dreamstime. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.dreamstime.com/mucin-structure-as-chemical-glycosylated-proteins-closeup-outline-diagram-mucin-structure-as-chemical-glycosylated-proteins-image232569400