Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Orchid extracts, particularly from species such as Dendrobium and Orchis mascula, have a long-standing tradition in Asian skincare and herbal medicine for improving skin hydration and treating dryness. In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, orchids are believed to possess moisturizing and nourishing properties, and are often used in creams and lotions intended to soothe dry, flaky skin. The mucilaginous and polysaccharide content in certain orchid species is thought to help retain moisture and protect the skin barrier, which forms the basis of their traditional use.

Scientific evidence, however, remains limited. While some in vitro studies suggest orchid extracts may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects, these studies are few and typically do not use clinical endpoints relevant to dry or flaky skin in humans. Most of the support for using orchid in skincare is anecdotal or based on historical usage rather than robust clinical trials. Therefore, while orchids are used traditionally for dry skin and may have some biologically plausible mechanisms, scientific validation is still lacking, and the overall evidence remains low.

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