Use of Cucurbita pepo Oil to Fight against the UV Action on the Skin

Abstract

Skin aging is a process most often attributed to UV [1] and also to the use of creams and other cosmetic products low in antioxidant compounds [2]. Photochemically stable pepo Cucurbita oil can be used as an exogenous cosmetic supplement due to its high antioxidant content. Incorporated in an agar, media containing a synthetic melanin solution with added pumpkin oil are subjected to UV light, the aging thus modeled is followed by the measurement of photoresistance values correlated with chemical and spectrophotometric analyses. This study confirms that pumpkin oil is highly effective in protecting the skin, especially the most sensitive skins such as babies’ skin [3] by reinforcing the action of melanin and also that of albinos without melanin. Indeed its SPF (Significant Sun Protection Factor) index estimated during this work is very consistent, i.e. more than 22% of UVB (280 - 315 nm) radiations are suppressed.