Cornflower hydrosol to stimulate hair follicles?

With its relatively gentle composition and non-greasy finish, the cornflower hydrosol is increasingly sought after in cosmetics for its benefits on the skin but also on the hair. Several sources even cite it as a potential alternative to stimulate hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth. At the moment, no study has been able to prove that cornflower hydrosol can improve hair growth. However, the cornflower hydrosol remains a cosmetic active ingredient containing various properties that could prove interesting at the scalp level. It is possible that its various benefits contribute to maintaining a healthy hair environment conducive to hair growth.

The cornflower hydrosol for alleviating inflammation of the hair follicles.

Hair follicles are small cavities from which hair and body hair originate. However, certain factors, such as harsh hair products or bacterial or fungal proliferation, can disrupt the scalp and lead to a follicle inflammation, known as folliculitis. This inflammatory condition can damage the hair follicles and cause a halt in hair growth, or even hair loss.

In response to this, the cornflower hydrosol could potentially exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that may limit inflammation of the scalp and hair follicles. These effects are believed to be due to its flavonoid content, molecules capable of inhibiting the activity of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6. However, the scientific evidence on this matter is still limited, which calls for caution.

The potential anti-inflammatory effects of cornflower hydrosol could be beneficial in reducing inflammation of the hair follicles, promoting their overall health and the proper progression of the hair cycle.

The floral water of cornflower is believed to exert an anti-bacterial action on the scalp.

Beyond inflammation that can affect hair follicles, an imbalance in the microbiota can also lead to disruptions in the hair growth cycle, potentially causing hair loss. The balance of the microbiota contributes to the maintenance of hair follicle health, as well as the stabilisation of the skin's pH at the scalp level, which promotes hair growth. Among the bacteria present on the scalp, we notably find Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. An imbalance between these bacterial populations could induce damage at the level of the hair follicles by causing an obstruction of the hair's connective sheath. This phenomenon is likely to impair the health of the hair follicles and their proper functioning.

Studies focusing on the antibacterial activity of an aqueous extract of cornflower have highlighted its ability to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus in the extract, leading to a halt in bacterial growth. The results even showed an antibacterial action superior to that of penicillin, a widely used antibacterial agent. This antibacterial ability of the cornflower hydrolate would also come from the flavonoids found in its composition.

The antibacterial activity of cornflower hydrosol could be beneficial in maintaining a healthy environment within the hair follicles.

The cornflower hydrosol to limit the oxidation of hair follicles.

External factors such as stress, smoking, or exposure to UV rays generate free radicals, unstable molecules that can weaken the structure and anchorage of hair follicles, potentially accelerating hair loss. A study measured the antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract of bilberry by determining its ability to inhibit the DPPH radical. The results showed that this ingredient exerted antioxidant effects through a donation of a hydrogen atom and by chelating ferric ions, thereby causing a reduction in the process of lipid peroxidation.

The cornflower hydrosol could thus protect hair follicles from oxidative stress damage, potentially contributing to the prevention of hair loss.

Could cornflower hydrosol be an active ingredient to improve microcirculation?

Hair follicles have small blood vessels at their base that supply the hair bulbs with oxygen and essential nutrients for hair growth. According to some sources, cornflower hydrosol could enhance blood circulation, thus facilitating a better delivery of the resources that hair follicles need to perform their function. However, no study has been conducted on this subject so far and no scientific evidence has been provided. Therefore, it is better to exercise caution regarding this potential property of cornflower floral water.

As of today, there is no direct scientific evidence that cornflower hydrosol can stimulate hair follicles. However, all its properties could contribute to maintaining a healthy hair environment conducive to hair growth.