Taking care of one's hair with cornflower hydrosol.

The cornflower hydrosol also reportedly has antibacterial effects that could be beneficial in preventing the onset of dandruff. Indeed, besides the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia, which is primarily responsible for the development of dandruff, some studies have shown that the presence of dandruff can also be induced by a bacterial imbalance and an increase in bacterial populations of Staphylococcus. However, a study conducted on the aqueous extract of cornflower has shown that this ingredient has an antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus similar to that of penicillin. This antibacterial effect would also be due to the presence of flavonoids within the cornflower hydrosol.

The effects of the aqueous extract of cornflower on bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus aureus allow us to formulate the hypothesis of an action of cornflower hydrosol on dandruff. However, this is only a hypothesis as, to date, no direct study has shown that cornflower hydrosol is an active anti-dandruff agent.

The cornflower floral water is also reputed for its antioxidant properties, allowing it to mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative stress. A study has specifically looked into measuring the antiradical activity of cornflower hydrosol by gauging its ability to inhibit the DPPH radical. The results showed a reduction in DPPH concentration induced by two mechanisms: by donating a hydrogen atom, which helps stabilise free radicals, and by forming stable complexes with ferric ions, thus limiting the phenomenon of lipid peroxidation.

It is plausible that the antioxidant properties of cornflower hydrosol may also enable it to prevent oxidative stress at the scalp level and thus protect it. Indeed, free radicals have several detrimental effects on the scalp and hair fibres and can weaken the hair follicles and the melanocytes associated with them. Studies have particularly shown that oxidative stress can accelerate hair loss and the onset of white hair. Therefore, providing antioxidants to one's scalp is a good way to prevent these phenomena.

No study has shown that cornflower hydrosol can directly combat hair loss or hair whitening: it has only been demonstrated that this ingredient possesses antioxidant properties.

Beyond its soothing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, many attribute to the cornflower hydrosol a role in hair growth. However, at present, there is no scientific evidence that cornflower hydrosol would have such an effect. We can only assume that the hair properties of this ingredient would contribute to creating a healthy environment at the scalp level by protecting it from pathogens and external aggressions. This could indirectly promote hair growth. However, once again, no study has so far shown that cornflower floral water could stimulate hair growth.