Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) as a tool for helping with Skin irritation

Saponaria officinalis is used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases and as a blood purifier, diuretic and sudorific. This study used titanium-dioxide-nanoparticle elicitation of soapwort hairy roots to increase production of valuable polyphenols (rosmarinic acid, cinnamic acid, rutin) and the SO6 ribosome-inactivating protein.

A saponin-rich soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) extract was compared with synthetic surfactants on human keratinocyte and skin-mimetic models. The soapwort extract had a much smaller protein- and lipid-solubilising (irritant) potential than the anionic synthetic surfactants, supporting its gentler use on skin.