What are the benefits of cotton for the skin?

Cotton is the plant fiber that encloses the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub belonging to the Malvaceae family. This fiber is composed of cellulose, which is subsequently transformed into thread to create fabric. The cotton plant is primarily cultivated in arid tropical and/or subtropical regions. It can reach up to 10 meters in height if its exposure to the sun is optimal.

There are several species and varieties of cotton:

• The Gossypium arboreum and the Gossypium herbaceum, are the most common species with short fibers used in cosmetics;

• The Gossypium barbadense, a variety originally from Peru but introduced in Egypt and cultivated worldwide. It is appreciated for the length and quality of its fibers;

• The Gossypium hirsutum that traces its origins back to South America.

In cosmetics, cotton is used in two forms: vegetable oil (Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil) and cellular extract or native plant cells (Gossypium Arboreum Leaf Cell Extract).

The cotton native cells are plant cells directly harvested from the plant and multiplied in a controlled culture environment. They possess soothing and antioxidant properties. They alleviate irritations and increase the skin's tolerance level.

They work by reducing the release of inflammation mediators, molecules synthesized by keratinocytes in response to external aggressions, but which cause a sensation of irritation. They also limit the production of free radicals induced by UV rays, which accelerate skin aging. Thanks to this dual action, the skin, freed from sensations of irritation and better protected, can more effectively defend itself against daily aggressions and oxidations.

Cottonseed oil is extracted through the cold pressing of cotton capsules seeds. This vegetable oil is typically refined to remove gossypol, a natural toxin that forms a protective layer around the seeds.

Cottonseed oil is rich in linoleic acid (omega-6). This active ingredient is highly valued for its nutritive and softening qualities. It also stands out for its flexibility-enhancing and regenerative properties that allow the skin to maintain or regain its suppleness and elasticity. Thus, skincare products containing cottonseed oil are recommended for dry and dehydrated skin, as well as sensitive skin. They promote the regeneration of the hydrolipidic film, especially when the skin is exposed to harsh environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight and/or urban pollution.

Note : Cottonseed vegetable oil is odorless, which sets it apart from other varieties of vegetable oils used in cosmetics. It also has a silky and velvety touch and leaves no oily residue after its use. It penetrates well into the skin.

• ARSHIYA S. & et al. Gossypium herbaceum An ethnopharmacological review. Journalof Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation (2012).

• SHAHRAJABIAN M. H. & et al. Considering white gold, cotton, for its fiber, seed oil, traditional and modern health benefits. Journal of Biological and Environmental Sciences (2020).