Rhodiola is a perennial herb or sub-shrub wild plant. It widely distributes on high-altitude rocks and cliffs in Europe, Asia and North America. Rhodiola has a long using history in China. As far back as the Qing Dynasty, rhodiola was used as a nourishing and strong medicine to eliminate fatigue and resist cold.

Nowadays, rhodiola rosea extract is used as cosmetic ingredient for skin care. Its main active constituent is Salidroside. It has anti-oxidation, whitening and anti-radiation effects. Cosmetics are mainly made of dried roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract Effects in Cosmetics

• Anti-aging

Rhodiola has a stimulating effect on fibroblasts in the dermis. It can promote the division of fibroblasts, and secrete collagen while also secreting collagenase. Thereby the original collagen decomposes; but the total secretion is greater than the amount of decomposition. Collagen forms collagen fibers outside skin cell. The increase of collagen fibers indicates that rhodiola has a certain anti-aging effect on skin.

• Skin whitening

Rhodiola rosea extract inhibits tyrosinase activity and reduces its catalytic rate. Thereby it can reduce melanin formation in skin, and achieves skin whitening.

• Sun protection

Rhodiola rosea extract has a protective effect on cells; and its protective effect is stronger under light conditions. Salidroside absorbs light energy and converts it into energy that is not toxic to cells, thus protecting skin cells. Salidroside can significantly inhibit increase of inflammatory cytokines caused by ultraviolet radiation. It has obvious protective effect on skin ultraviolet radiation damage.

An experimental study on sun protection function of rhodiola found that: (1) a cream made of 0.2% rhodiola rosea extract has a sun protection factor of 2.5-3.0. (2) A cream containing 0.2% ginseng extract has a sun protection factor of 2.0-2.5. It indicates that sunscreen ability of rhodiola is higher than that of ginseng. (3) A cream containing 0.1% rhodiola extract and 0.1% ginseng extract has a sun protection factor of about 4.0.