Cornflower hydrosol and its anti-dandruff action.

Dandruff is characterised by the presence of white or yellow flakes on the scalp, which can cause varying degrees of itching and irritation. These symptoms can increase scalp sensitivity and lead to inflammation. In addition to accumulating on the scalp, these dead cells can spread throughout the hair, and even be found on the shoulders or upper back. The appearance of dandruff is linked to several factors, including an acceleration of cellular renewal, the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia, and an increase in bacterial populations of Staphylococcus.

Beyond its beneficial properties for the skin, the cornflower hydrosol is suggested to combat dandruff. However, to date, no study has yet demonstrated that this ingredient could be an effective anti-dandruff agent. We can only hypothesise about its action against dandruff by referring to its various properties.

• The cornflower hydrosol could potentially reduce scalp inflammation.

  Some studies conducted on rodents have highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of cornflower floral water. It can be hypothesised that these properties could help to limit inflammation in scalps prone to dandruff. The anti-inflammatory effects of the cornflower hydrosol are thought to be linked to its flavonoid content. These molecules could inhibit certain transcription factors, such as NF-kB, which are involved in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Flavonoids could also act on certain kinases, such as protein kinase C or tyrosine kinase. Although further scientific research is needed to confirm this, it is possible that the anti-inflammatory action of cornflower hydrosol could help to alleviate the inflammatory symptoms associated with dandruff, such as redness and irritation.

• The cornflower hydrosol could potentially reduce the proliferation of microorganisms.

  Furthermore, a study has revealed that cornflower hydrosol could limit the growth of certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The occurrence of dandruff is partly linked to a colonisation of the scalp by Staphylococcus type bacteria, it can be hypothesised that the antibacterial activity of cornflower hydrosol could contribute to preventing this issue.

  Note : To date, no scientific study has reported any antifungal activity of cornflower hydrosol. Therefore, it is impossible to comment on its effect on Malassezia, the other microorganism involved in the occurrence of dandruff.

Scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of cornflower hydrosol as an anti-dandruff agent is currently lacking, although some of its properties may be interesting in limiting the development of dandruff.

• ANGENOT L. & al. Anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of Centaurea cyanus flower-heads. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1999).

• VAN LEEUWEN P. & al. Flavonoids : a review of probable mechanisms of action and potential applications. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001).

• ZHANG M. & al. Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms. Scientific reports (2016). 

• MOTORI D. & al. Antibacterial activity of different extracts of Centaurea cyanus (L.) growing wild in Kosovo. Oriental Journal of Chemistry (2017).