Selected species of medicinal plants as a source of new cosmetic extracts with anti-acne potential

Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease manifested by seborrhea, inflammatory lesions, papules, blackheads, and pustules. Most teenagers experience acne lesions of varying severity, and in some cases, they persist into adulthood. Although dermatological treatment is necessary for severe forms of the disease, mild acne lesions can be effectively alleviated by using natural herbal extracts or cosmetic preparations to care for the skin. In this article, five medicinal plant species (Sanguisorba officinalis, Filipendula ulmaria, Artemisia absinthium, Hypericum perforatum, Tanacetum vulgare) are described. These plants were chosen for their phytochemical composition which has been proven to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. They have a high potential for the treatment of acne-prone skin, but they have not yet been utilized in the production of cosmetics. A comprehensive review of the literature published between 2000 and 2025 was conducted using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect and Web of Science.