The various combinations of active ingredients possible with nettle.

Nettle is very often combined with other botanical extracts, which allows for the creation of treatments with a high percentage of naturalness. Among the ingredients frequently mixed with nettle, we find soothing active ingredients, such as chamomile or rosemary extracts, and ingredients with antibacterial and astringent properties, such as peppermint extract. These combinations result in a treatment that is both gentle and purifying, perfect for skin or scalps that are combination to oily and sensitive.

One might also consider the following combination of active ingredients used in a study to formulate a shampoo for dandruff : extracts of nettle, chamomile, rosemary, sage and peppermint. Its use three times a week for five weeks by 60 people allowed 48 of them to completely eliminate their dandruff and the remaining 12 to significantly reduce it.

Thealoe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a succulent plant with fleshy leaves belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. It is particularly known for its hydrating, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thealoe vera is thus an ingredient of choice to aid the healing of damaged or acne-prone skin. Indeed, inflammatory acne spots often leave a mark on the face that struggles to fade. The application of aloe vera can help, especially if this ingredient is coupled with nettle.

Thenettle is indeed often incorporated into cosmetic treatments targeting acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory, sebum-regulating and antibacterial properties. These allow it to alleviate the symptoms of acne. The nettle / aloe vera combination, on the other hand, has a dual effectiveness: reducing the manifestations of acne and aiding the healing of spots.

It is common for nettle and allantoin to be combined in cosmetic treatments due to their complementary properties. Theallantoin is particularly renowned for its soothing, moisturising and healing effects, and for its ability to promote the regeneration of skin tissues. Nettle, on the other hand, is more purifying and astringent. The combination of nettle and allantoin is thus quite similar to that of nettle and aloe vera, and helps to combat the appearance of blemishes or an overproduction of sebum without drying out the skin.

Nettle can also be combined with charcoal to amplify their respective purifying effects . Indeed, charcoal is sanitising and is known for its powerful absorbent virtues. It mattifies the skin and cleanses it deeply for a healthy and purified skin. When combined with nettle, charcoal regulates sebum production and dries out imperfections.

At Typology, we have made the decision to combine nettle with pine charcoal (INCI: Charcoal Powder) in our purifying mask. This treatment, formulated for combination to oily skin or skin prone to imperfections, also contains green clay (Illite). A purifying active ingredient par excellence, green clay also has soothing properties that allow it to leave the skin soft and comfortable after applying our mask.

Nettle can also be combined with zinc to reduce blemishes and hyperseborrhea. Indeed, zinc is a sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory agent. Its combined use with nettle amplifies their benefits for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin. This combination can also be found in hair care products, particularly for purifying scalps that become greasy quickly.

• KHANMOHAMMAD R. & al. A Comparison of Clinical Efficacy between a Basic Shampoo with Herbal Extracts Containing Climbazole and Its Similar Sample Containing Piroctone Olamine in the Treatment of Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis. Iranian Journal of Dermatology (2009).

• KILIC S. & al. Efficacy of two plant extracts against acne vulgaris: Initial results of microbiological tests and cell culture studies. Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2018).