A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF Camellia sinensis EXTRACT AND SALICYLIC ACID TOPICAL FORMULATION ON SELECTED STUDENTS WITH ACNE VULGARIS

This research work was carried out to determine the effect and extent of activity of Camellia sinensis and Salicylic acid in the treatment of Acne vulgaris. In the present study, the bioactive compounds of leaves extract of Camellia sinensis were extracted using distilled water and formulated into a serum for topical appliciation. Salicylic acid was also formulated into a gel based cream for topical application and the effect on Acne investigated in the course of two weeks. This involves a longitudinal, open-label and randomized treatment study to determine between the camellia sinensis extract gel based cream and salicylic acid gel based cream which has the highest efficacy against Acne vulgaris. The Camellia sinensis gel based cream was found to be effective in the treatment of certain types of Acne vulgaris . The salicylic acid gel based cream (standard) was also found to be effective in all types of acne. The effect of Salicylic acid on various forms of acne as presented on test subjects of Group A didn’t peak until the second week, with visible reduction in blackheads (open comedones). Where as that of Camellia sinensis peaked in the first week of treatment, there was little to no reduction in black heads but there was visible reduction in pore size which indicates that there may be preventive properties of Camellia sinensis against the formation of acne. Subjects put on Camellia sinensis experienced no adverse effect while some experienced slight tinging, dryness and irritation while using salicylic acid. Based on this study, the treatment which showed faster results within the short period allocated to the study shows promising use as a standard form of treatment for acne vulgaris as compared to Salicylic acid because no adverse effect was experienced with camellia sinensis.