Description

Melia azadirachta, commonly known as neem, is valued for its leaves in cosmetics and personal care products due to their beneficial properties. The neem tree, from the Meliaceae family, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Components: The leaves contain various bioactive compounds, including:
Terpenoids: Azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbolide.
Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol.
Alkaloids: Nimbin and azadirachtin.
Saponins and Polyphenols: Antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds.
Structure:
Terpenoids: Ring structures with double bonds and functional groups.
Flavonoids: Benzene ring structures with hydroxyl groups.
Alkaloids: Nitrogen-containing cyclic structures.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: The leaves are typically dark green and have a slightly leathery texture.
Odor: They have a slightly herbaceous and earthy aroma.
Solubility: Extracts from the leaves are soluble in water and organic solvents.
pH: Neem leaf extracts tend to be slightly acidic or neutral.

Production Process:

Harvesting: Mature leaves of the neem tree are collected during the growing season.
Drying: The leaves are dried in the open air or in low-temperature dryers to preserve active ingredients.
Extraction: The extracts may be obtained through methods such as:
Infusion: Dried leaves are immersed in a solvent like water or alcohol to extract active compounds.
Solvent Extraction: An organic solvent is used to extract the ingredients from the leaves.
Filtration: The extract is filtered to remove solids and impurities.
Concentration: The extract may be concentrated by evaporating the solvent to achieve a more potent product.

Applications:

Skincare: Used in creams and serums for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, beneficial for treating acne and skin irritations.
Haircare: Included in shampoos and treatments for the scalp to reduce dandruff and improve hair health.
Traditional Uses: In traditional medicine, neem leaves are used to treat various skin disorders and improve overall skin health.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Sustainable harvesting practices are important to preserve natural resources and ecological balance.
Safety: This ingredient is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products when used as directed. Individuals allergic to plants or with very sensitive skin should be cautious.

INCI:


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 90063-92-6 EC number 290-052-2