Recent Advancements in Natural Plant Colorants Used for Hair Dye Applications: A Review
Hongyan Cui,
Wenjing Xie,
Zhongjie Hua,
Lihua Cao,
Ziyi Xiong,
Ying Tang,
Zhiqin Yuan
Affiliations
Hongyan Cui
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Wenjing Xie
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Zhongjie Hua
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Lihua Cao
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Ziyi Xiong
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Ying Tang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Zhiqin Yuan
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
There is an on-going demand in recent years for safer and “greener” hair coloring agents with the global consumer awareness of the adverse effects of synthetic hair dyes. The belief in sustainability and health benefits has focused the attention of the scientific community towards natural colorants that serve to replace their synthetic toxic counterparts. This review article encompasses the historical applications of a vast array of natural plant hair dyes and summarizes the possible coloration mechanisms (direct dyeing and mordant dyeing). Current information on phytochemicals (quinones, tannins, flavonoids, indigo, curcuminoids and carotenoids) used for hair dyeing are summarized, including their botanical sources, color chemistry and biological/toxicological activities. A particular focus is given on research into new natural hair dye sources along with eco-friendly, robust and cost-effective technologies for their processing and applications, such as the synthetic biology approach for colorant production, encapsulation techniques for stabilization and the development of inorganic nanocarriers. In addition, innovative in vitro approaches for the toxicological assessments of natural hair dye cosmetics are highlighted.
