Creams can incorporate a whole range of botanical ingredients, some of which may not necessarily be effective but are used because it is then permissible to say that the product in question is a botanical  - a natural cream containing  natural plant extracts and botanical ingredients, which may be attractive to the consumer.  A variety of botanicals is used, including pomegranate extract, grapefruit extract, calendula, aloe vera and liquorice extract.

Flavenoids such as green tea extract and ginko biloba have been shown to have effective anti-free radical, anti-damaging properties in some cell culture systems and animal studies.  However, there has been little in the way of controlled scientific studies into their value in skin creams in humans and it does require a big leap of faith to take something that apparently works in the test tube, add it to a cream, and expect it to provide the same benefits.  Having said that, most botanical products are probably harmless.  They may, at worst, be unhelpful, and at best, offer slight benefits with regard to reducing inflammation from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Some future developments in green tea and ginko biloba may lead to skin creams that have sun protection and age-reversal ability.  Certainly, some green tea extracts have been shown to be capable of reducing ultraviolet-induced (artificial light) skin swelling in some animal studies.

Echinecea is derived from flowers originating in North America used by native Americans as a skin preparation.  It is a common botanical ingredient and is thought to act as both an anti-inflammatory and moisturizer, reducing irritancy in the skin.

Aloe vera has been used for many years in a variety of creams and gels.  It is an important extract of the aloe plant and offers a variety of different benefits.  Studies have confirmed that it can reduce inflammation and improve wound healing.  In order for it to provide beneficial moisturizing effects on the skin, aloe vera must be present at a concentration of 10 percent, below which it is unlikely to be effective.  Whether or not this agent has any anti-skin-aging benefits is unknown at this time but, again, its anti-inflammatory properties make it a useful and effective ingredient in general skin maintenance.

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