Cornflower water: Does it have an effect on wrinkles?

As we age, wrinkles appear on the face, signs of skin sagging due to a loss of flexibility and elasticity. This phenomenon results from the decrease in the synthesis of collagen and elastin by fibroblasts, which begins around 25-30 years of age. The slowdown in cell renewal also contributes to the thinning and loss of skin tone. In addition, sebum production gradually decreases, leading to dryness of the epidermis and a degradation of the skin barrier, factors that promote the appearance of wrinkles. Finally, external factors, such as tobacco, pollution, and UV exposure, exacerbate skin sagging by generating free radicals in skin cells. These unstable molecules damage the DNA and structural proteins of the skin, thus accelerating the process of photoaging.

To date, no scientific study has been conducted on the effect of cornflower water on wrinkles.

However, the cornflower hydrosol possesses an antioxidant activity that could potentially combat the effects of free radicals and thus potentially help prevent photoaging. This effect comes from its composition, particularly its richness in flavonoids, molecules capable of limiting the action of free radicals and the oxidation of skin cells. The antioxidant activity of cornflower floral water has been highlighted in recent studies that evaluated its ability to trap the DPPH free radical and ferric metallic ions.

During this study, it was demonstrated that the cornflower extract could act via two distinct mechanisms. Thanks to the numerous hydroxyl groups present in the chemical structure of its phenolic compounds, it can first make a hydrogen atom donation, leading to the neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, cornflower extract is capable of trapping ferrous metal ions, which allows for the formation of more stable complexes and reduces the phenomenon of lipid peroxidation, which can damage the lipids present at the level of the skin barrier.

Nevertheless, the antioxidant properties of cornflower hydrosol still require further investigation. Indeed, the previously mentioned study was conducted with an aqueous extract of cornflower, obtained through a different extraction method than the hydrosol. Therefore, it could potentially exhibit different properties. That being said, the positive results obtained from the study allow us to hypothesize an antioxidant activity of cornflower floral water, which could help to combat oxidative stress, one of the factors contributing to the formation of wrinkles. This potential action would not only allow this ingredient to prevent skin sagging, but also to protect the skin from external aggressions, thereby slowing the onset of aging signs.

Cornflower hydrosol cannot eliminate wrinkles, but it could potentially delay their onset.