Could cornflower floral water have an effect on white hair?

Over time, with the natural ageing of the body, the amount of melanin synthesised is reduced due to a gradual decrease in the number of melanocytes, as well as their activity. These cells, located at the base of the hair follicles, are responsible for the production of melanin. Added to this is oxidative stress, playing a significant role in greying. Free radicals, particularly those generated following sun exposure, are indeed capable of degrading the stem cells of melanocytes and inducing their apoptosis, that is, their self-destruction.

The cornflower hydrosol, extracted from cornflower blossoms through hydrodistillation, has a relatively rich and gentle composition that grants it numerous benefits. It is even sometimes said that this ingredient could prevent greying. However, at present, no scientific study has been conducted on the effects of cornflower hydrosol on white hair. Nevertheless, it is true that the cornflower hydrosol has some interesting effects on hair that could potentially allow it to delay the onset of white hair. Indeed, this extract has antioxidant properties, stemming from its richness in flavonoids and anthocyanins, molecules capable of limiting the harmful effects of free radicals and the oxidation process of cells.

A study has indeed focused on the antioxidant activity of a water extract of bilberry and evaluated its potential for trapping the DPPH radical. The activity of trapping ferrous metal ions was also measured. The results of this study showed that the water extract of bilberry could stabilise and neutralise free radicals by acting as a hydrogen atom donor, a role enabled by the particular chemical structure of its phenolic compounds. The bilberry extract also demonstrated a good ability to trap ferrous metal ions, allowing the formation of more stable complexes and thus reducing lipid peroxidation. However, it is important to specify that this study was conducted on a water extract of bilberry and not on the hydrosol, obtained by a different extraction technique.

As of today, no scientific study has directly confirmed the effectiveness of cornflower hydrosol in preventing or reducing white hair.

On the other hand, it is plausible to suggest that cornflower hydrosol could contribute to the protection of hair fibres against damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant activity. Indeed, cornflower floral water could protect melanocytes and stimulate the activity of catalase, an endogenous antioxidant enzyme, thus helping to eliminate hydrogen peroxide. The use of cornflower hydrosol could therefore be relevant for preventing the onset of grey hair and potentially limiting their development but, without scientific evidence, it is impossible to confirm this.