Patchouli silica

It is a tropical shrub that grows to around 1,2 m tall. It produces white and purple flowers used to make a fragrant essential oil. The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and shoots, which are hand-picked and dried for three days. It originates from tropical Asia, where it was traditionally used to protect textiles from pests and in medicine to treat wounds and snake bites. The leaves are often fermented before processing, contributing to its characteristic earthy scent and rich content of sesquiterpenes such as patchoulol and bulnesene, which give it strong antiseptic properties. In modern cosmetics, it is valued as a natural extract free from synthetic additives that supports skin regeneration.

It works through anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal effects that soothe irritated skin and support healing. It restores the skin barrier by stimulating cell regeneration, reduces swelling and helps prevent scarring. It also has astringent properties that tighten pores, as well as mild exfoliating effects through its antimicrobial action. In aromatherapy, it has an antidepressant effect, improves concentration and eases stress. The recommended concentration in cosmetics is 0,5-2 %, based on studies in which patchouli oil at a concentration of 1 % significantly reduced inflammatory markers in mice with irritated skin (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010).

It is particularly recommended for dry, sensitive, cracked, eczema-prone and acne-prone skin, where it hydrates, softens flaky patches and fights bacteria. It is also suitable for mature skin with wrinkles, as it supports elasticity and slows ageing, as well as for dehydrated skin after hair removal or shaving. It is not recommended in undiluted form for children under 6 years of age or during pregnancy due to its strong scent. It is ideal for problem skin affected by psoriasis, ringworm or fungal infections, where it speeds up healing.

A study published through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) confirms the antibacterial effects of patchouli oil: a concentration of 0,1 % inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus by 99 % and Candida albicans by 95 % within 24 hours (Phytotherapy Research, 2008). Further research in the Journal of Natural Medicines (2015) showed that patchouli sesquiterpenes in a 2 % solution reduced the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α by 68 % in human keratinocyte cell cultures, thereby supporting the healing of skin inflammation.