Skin care

Since ancient times, people have been taking therapeutic baths to increase both physical and mental well-being. Nowadays mud, mineral and peat baths and all kinds of natural packs and masks are offered in spas and wellness centers around the world.

The active substances in mud appear to consist of humic substances, which has given rise to an interest in the use of humic and fulvic acid in dermatology and cosmetics. Research shows that humic substances applied to the skin pass through the skin barrier, resulting in a pharmacological effect (Beer, et al., 2003). Because these substances have an anti-inflammatory effect, they are effective in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases (Wollina and Abdel-Naser, 2004). In addition, it has a protective effect against UV radiation.

Exposure of the skin to sunlight (UV radiation) can cause damage to the skin due to oxidative stress. This is a state in which more reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed than usual. These substances are harmful because they can damage molecules such as proteins, fats and DNA in the cell. Antioxidants protect the skin against free radicals; they neutralize these free radicals so that they are no longer harmful. With prolonged exposure to UV, the antioxidant system in the skin can become depleted, causing the free radicals to cause an inflammatory reaction in the skin that is characterized as erythema (red skin). Chronic oxidative stress can lead to skin aging or, in severe cases, even to skin cancer. Care products containing antioxidants could reduce the oxidative stress in the skin (Ou-Yang, 2013).

Humic acids, and in particular the fractions of humic acids that are alkaline-soluble, have UV-absorbing properties (Cataldo, 1998). They can effectively protect human cells against UV-induced damage (Gábor and Gyula, 2013, Hübner, 2004, Klöcking, 2010, Klöcking, et al., 2004, Kühn, 2005).

Chinese literature also shows that humic acid has a positive effect on burns caused by hot water or fire. The results showed that wound healing is faster and that it has an anti-inflammatory effect.

BioAg Europe has conducted a study into the possible positive effects of fulvic acid on skin that has been exposed to UV radiation. The left and right hands of the participants were used; gel containing fulvic acid being applied on one hand, and the same gel without fulvic acid on the other. The hands were exposed to UV, after which oxidative stress in the skin was measured. The research showed that the gel with fulvic acid has a protective effect on the skin exposed to UV; there was less oxidative stress measured in the skin of this hand than in the hand applied with the control gel. An explanation for this result could be that fulvic acid is an antioxidant (Aeschbacher, et al., 2012) and can therefore neutralize ROS. As a result, there is less oxidative stress in the skin and the skin will recover faster.