Using cornflower floral water to eliminate a pimple?

The emergence of a pimple is a process involving three major factors: an increase in sebum production, an accumulation of dead cells on the skin's surface, both of which can clog pores, and a bacterial colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, creating skin inflammation. To combat pimples, many seek natural solutions, such as the cornflower hydrosol. Known for its soothing and decongesting virtues, this ingredient could act on two triggering factors of pimple formation, namely bacterial proliferation and skin inflammation. These potential actions of the cornflower floral water would be enabled by its rich biochemical composition.

• Can cornflower hydrosol limit bacterial colonization?

  Cornflower hydrosol is believed to have interesting antibacterial properties in the event of a skin eruption. This is demonstrated by a study conducted on organic extracts of cornflower at different concentrations: 1; 3 and 5 mg/mL. The antibacterial action of these extracts was tested on bacterial cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by measuring the circular inhibition zone, which corresponds to an absence of bacterial growth around the antimicrobial agent placed at the center of the Petri dish. The more sensitive the bacteria is to the extract, the larger the inhibition zone.

  Following cultivation, it was demonstrated that cornflower hydrosol, at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, exhibits significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, with respective inhibition zones of 10 mm and 12 mm, comparable to those measured with penicillin, a potent antibacterial used here as a control. This antibacterial property of cornflower hydrosol is attributed to its flavonoid content, compounds capable of halting bacterial growth by inhibiting the bacterial efflux pump, a membrane transporter that helps bacteria resist antibiotic treatments by allowing their expulsion outside of the bacteria. A similar mode of action can be assumed in C. acnes, the bacteria responsible for pimples.

Despite the promising effects of blueberry on bacterial growth, no studies have been conducted in humans so far. Therefore, further investigations are still necessary.

• Can cornflower hydrosol counter inflammation?

  Besides, its antibacterial properties, the cornflower hydrosol also reportedly has anti-inflammatory effects that can soothe redness and irritations associated with a pimple. Several studies have shown that the topical application of a cornflower aqueous extract on induced edemas in rodents resulted in a reduction of the inflammatory state of the skin. This anti-inflammatory activity is believed to come from its flavonoid content, particularly luteolin, which has the ability to inhibit certain mediators of inflammation, such as interleukin-6, thus modulating the inflammatory response. The cornflower aqueous extract therefore helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and prevents their worsening.

Once again, it is challenging to assert that cornflower hydrosol could alleviate inflammation caused by a pimple, as the studies have been conducted on mice and not on humans.