The rose geranium is cultivated for its fragrance reminiscent of roses, and from it, an essential oil is derived that is recognised in the cosmetic industry for its skin benefits. Let's explore these in this article.
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Essential oil of rose geranium: what are the properties for the skin?
Summary
- Benefit No.1: Geranium rose essential oil possesses antibacterial properties
- Benefit No. 2: Geranium essential oil has antifungal properties
- Benefit No. 3: Rose geranium essential oil reduces skin inflammation
- Benefit No. 4: Geranium Rose Essential Oil acts as an antioxidant
- Benefit No. 5: Rose Geranium Essential Oil Enhances Healing
- Sources
Published May 15, 2024,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Kahina, Scientific Editor
—
9 min read
Benefit No.1: Geranium rose essential oil possesses antibacterial properties.
Theessential oil of rose geranium has the ability to inhibit the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Martin STEPPE wanted to verify the effect of the activities of nanocapsules containing rose geranium essential oil against different species of pathogens, such as the genus Mycobacterium, bacteria and yeasts.
The oil was effective against Mycobacterium smegmatis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 149.7 μg/mL, M. abscessos with an MIC of 35.9 μg/mL, M. massiliense with an MIC of 35.9 μg/mL, M. avium with an MIC of 71.8 μg/mL, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus sp. with an MIC of 149.7 μg/mL and Listeria monocytogenes with an MIC of 35.9 μg/mL.
It is important to note that the majority of these bacteria, particularly Streptococcus, are known to cause skin problems, such as redness and itching. The inhibition of these bacteria by rose geranium essential oil will then prevent the occurrence of bacterial skin infections.
The mechanisms involved, however, have not yet been demonstrated.
Benefit No. 2: Geranium essential oil has antifungal properties.
The essential oil of rose geranium can also inhibit the growth of fungi. Mehdi VALIAN wanted to verify in a study the activity of nine samples of essential oil from Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) against dermatophytes, fungi that live on the horny layer, hair or nails and are responsible for mycotic infections. The fungi analysed are Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. schoenleinii.
All essential oils have succeeded in inhibiting the growth of the tested fungi. It should be noted that the main components of essential oils from P. graveolens and their percentages vary from one sample to another. The highest growth inhibition percentage and the lowest MIC values of essential oils from P. graveolens for dermatophytes were obtained with the E20 sample, which contains 95% geraniol, followed by the E4 and E14 samples, with geraniol contents of about 21% and citronellol contents of about 30 to 35%.
| Essential Oil of Rose Geranium | T. schoenleinii (% inhibition; MIC) | M. gypseum (% inhibition; MIC) | T. mentagrophytes (% inhibition; MIC) | T. rubrum (% inhibition; MIC) | M. canis (% inhibition; MIC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E20 | 30.9%; 0.06 μL/mL | 45.4%; 0.03 μL/mL | 36.3%; 0.06 μL/mL | 53.3%; 0.125 μL/mL | 41.4%; 0.125 μL/mL |
| E4 | 17.8%; 0.125 μL/mL | 23.3%; 0.125 μL/mL | 43.6%; 0.06 μL/mL | 26.8%; 0.25 μL/mL | 16.1%; 0.125 μL/mL |
| E14 | 19.9%; 0.125 μL/mL | 25%; 0.06 μL/mL | 22.8%; 0.125 μL/mL | 35%; 0.125 μL/mL | 16%; 0.125 μL/mL |
The anti-dermatophyte effects, and more generally the antifungal properties of rose geranium essential oil, are believed to stem from the presence of geraniol and citronellol, two alcoholic compounds. The mechanism of action of geraniol and citronellol involves interfering with the cell membrane of dermatophytes and reducing the cell's ergosterol content, a component of fungal cell membranes that allows for membrane fluidity by inhibiting its biosynthesis. Therefore, using rose geranium essential oil could potentially treat infections associated with dermatophytes, such as athlete's foot for example.
Benefit No. 3: Rose geranium essential oil reduces skin inflammation.
The essential oil of rose geranium could potentially have an anti-inflammatory action. In a study, Maamar MEKARNIA and his colleagues aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of rose geranium essential oil when applied topically in vivo. To do this, the oil was applied topically at two different doses (5 or 10 μL) on mice and its effect was observed on ear oedemas.
The results demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in ear oedema. Topical application at doses of 5 to 10 μL per ear resulted in an inhibition of 73 and 88% of ear oedema, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in skin thickness is often the first sign of local inflammation, indicative of the processes occurring during skin inflammation, including increased vascular permeability, swelling in the dermis, and proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. In this study, treatment with rose geranium essential oil (200 or 400 mL/kg) led to reductions in the thickness of the oedema of 0.19 and 0.15 mm, respectively.
Several studies demonstrate that rose geranium is capable of reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins PGE2, PGD2, PGF2α and thromboxane B2. Therefore, through its direct action on these mediators, we can affirm that rose geranium essential oil is capable ofsoothing skin inflammatory reactions.
Benefit No. 4: Geranium Rose Essential Oil acts as an antioxidant.
The essential oil of rose geranium can also be utilised for its antioxidant properties. Petar D. MARIN and his team aimed to describe the antioxidant activity of rose geranium essential oil. The antioxidant action and the radical-scavenging power were evaluated using the DPPH test, which measures the ability of an antioxidant to reduce the chemical radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH°) through hydrogen transfer.
The DPPH°, initially purple, transforms into DPPH-H, a pale yellow. The essential oil of rose geranium has been able to reduce DPPH radicals to DPPH-H form and this activity is dose-dependent. The oil has shown antioxidant activity and reduced DPPH by 50% at a concentration of 0.802 mg/mL of oil solution.
Free radicals are produced during oxidative stress (tobacco, pollution, UV rays, etc.), and are responsible for the degradation of dermal fibres such as collagen and elastin, leading to the loss of skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Overall, free radicals accelerate skin ageing. It is therefore understandable that rose geranium essential oil could potentially slow down this skin ageing by stabilising free radicals through the transfer of a hydrogen atom.
Benefit No. 5: Rose Geranium Essential Oil Enhances Healing.
Finally, rose geranium essential oil could potentially enhance wound healing. In a study conducted by Mohsen BEKHRADI and his colleagues, the effectiveness of a herbal formulation containing essential oils of Oliveria decumbens and Pelargonium graveolens (0.1 mL) was evaluated against skin wound infections related to S. aureus in mice. Histological examinations showed that this cream improved wound healing and increased collagen deposition and wound contraction. Therefore, it enhances the proliferation of skin cells.
These effects can be attributed to rose geranium essential oil. Indeed, several studies have shown that geranium oil may have restorative effects and could be beneficial for the healing of wounds and abscesses. This is achieved through theincrease in collagen migration to the damaged site and through the enhancement of cellular renewal, but also due to its antimicrobial properties to limit wound infection. Therefore, the topical application of rose geranium essential oil could potentially facilitate improved wound healing.
Sources
MARIN P. D. & al. Chemical composition, antifungal and antioxidant activity of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science (2014).
MEKARNIA M. & al. Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs. Libyan Journal of Medicine (2014).
STEPPE M. & al. Antimycobacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal activities of geranium oil-loaded nano capsules. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015).
BEKHRADI M. & al. The effect of Oliveria decumbens and Pelargonium graveolens on healing of infected skin wounds in mice. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2016).
PONTAROLO R. & al. Anti-inflammatory effect of Malva sylvestris, Sida cordifolia, and Pelargonium graveolens is related to inhibition of prostanoid production. Molecules (2017).
VALIAN M. et al. Anti-dermatophyte activity of Pelargonium graveolens essential oils against dermatophytes. Clinical Phytoscience (2019).
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