Lemongrass Oil for Skin

Lemongrass oil, derived from the *Cymbopogon* plant, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic applications in dermatology. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the efficacy of lemongrass oil in treating various skin conditions. This overview will explore the existing clinical evidence supporting the use of lemongrass oil for skin health, examining the findings of these trials.

Protocols Studied in Research

[1] Thai aromatic plant extracts (essential oils and absolutes) in body cream for wrinkle reduction. (Cited by: 3) (pmid: 26665978)

• Protocol: Researchers tested antioxidant activity of 10 essential oils and 10 absolutes from Thai plants. A blend of the most effective oils was incorporated into a cream, then tested in a 4-week trial on 29 volunteers for its effect on skin surface topography.
• Outcome: The essential oil blend body cream showed significantly reduced skin roughness and surface irregularities compared to baseline, placebo, and untreated skin after 4 weeks, indicating potential anti-wrinkle effects.

[2] A repellent lotion containing p-menthane-3,8-diol (16%) and lemongrass oil (2%) against Culicoides pachymerus bites. (Cited by: 2) (pmid: 23715194)

• Protocol: A field study using human landing catches compared the repellent lotion to a control (no treatment) on paired volunteers in Colombia. Protection was assessed over 3-6 hours post-application across ten replicates.
• Outcome: The repellent lotion demonstrated high efficacy against C. pachymerus bites, providing nearly 100% protection for up to 5 hours post-application.

Research Interpretation: Summary and Conclusion

Two studies investigated the effects of lemongrass oil (as part of a blend in one case, and a repellent lotion in the other) on skin. One study (PMID 26665978) examined a cream containing a lemongrass oil blend for its impact on skin surface topography in a 4-week trial with 29 volunteers. This trial demonstrated significant improvements in skin roughness and surface irregularities, suggesting potential anti-wrinkle benefits. In contrast, a second study (PMID 23715194) focused on a lemongrass oil-based repellent lotion's effectiveness against insect bites in a field study, showing nearly complete protection for up to 5 hours. While both studies utilized lemongrass oil, their applications and methodologies differed significantly, focusing on distinct skin-related outcomes (cosmetic improvement versus insect repellent efficacy). The studies therefore provide evidence for lemongrass oil's beneficial effects on skin, but in different contexts and mechanisms. Further research is needed to explore the specific components and concentrations responsible for these effects.

Publications

[1] Leelapornpisid P; Wickett RR; Chansakaow S; Wongwattananukul N (2015). Potential of native Thai aromatic plant extracts in antiwrinkle body creams Journal of cosmetic science 66 (4) :219-31.

[2] Santamaria E; Cabrera OL; Zipa Y; Pardo RH (2012). [Field efficacy of repellent formulation containing para-menthane-3,8-diol and lemongrass against Culicoides pachymerus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Colombia] Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud 32 (3) :457-60.