Cosmetic Potential of Southeast Asian Herbs: An Overview

The document reviews the cosmetic potential of Southeast Asian herbs, detailing their traditional and scientific uses in skin and hair care. It highlights herbs such as Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, and others for their anti-aging, anti-acne, and hair growth properties. The review underscores the importance of systematic studies and safety evaluations for these herbs in cosmetics, mentioning Malaysian government-funded clinical trials on phyto-cosmetic products. It also discusses the mechanisms of action of these herbs, including the inhibition of enzymes involved in aging and melanogenesis, and their effectiveness in sebum control, skin hydration, and hair loss prevention. The document concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to validate the efficacy of these herbal extracts in cosmetic applications. Specific study sizes and detailed results are not provided in the summary.