Table 4.
Antimicrobial efficacy of essential oils against pathogens associated with acne.
| Essential oila | Methodb | Species strainc | Solventd | Resulte | Main componentsf | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abies koreana (Korean fir) | MIC | S. epidermidis (antibiotic-susceptible strain SK4) | n.m. | 0.63 μL/mL | Bornyl acetate (30.40%), limonene (19.00%) | [208] |
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK9) | 0.31 μL/mL | |||||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK19) | 5.00 μL/mL | |||||
| P. acnes (ATCC 3314) | 0.31 μL/mL | |||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 4) | ||||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 7) | 0.63 μL/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), flowers | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | DMSO | 0.25 mg/mL | α-Pinene (39.00%), terpinen-4-ol (32.10%) | [114] |
| Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), aerial parts | 0.13 mg/mL | α-Pinene (49.40%), terpinen-4-ol (21.80%) | ||||
| Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), leaves | 0.06 mg/mL | Terpinen-4-ol (24.30%) | ||||
|
| ||||||
| Anthemis nobilis (chamomile) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.13% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
|
Cananga odorata var. fruticosa (dwarf ylang-ylang) Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) |
ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | >4.00% v/v | NCR | [210] |
|
| ||||||
| Cinnamomum burmannii (cinnamon stick) | MIC | S. epidermidis (16 clinical isolates) | 5% propylene glycol (PG) | 0.50–2.00% | Cinnamaldehyde | [211] |
| S. epidermidis strains RP62A (ATCC 35984) | 1.00% | |||||
| S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 0.50% | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.012% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Citrus aurantium (bitter orange), flowers | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 50% DMSO | 1.25 mg/mL | Limonene (27.50%), E-nerolidol (17.5%), α-terpineol (14.00%) | [120] |
|
| ||||||
| Citrus medica limonum (lemon) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Citrus natsudaidai (Japanese summer orange) | MIC | S. epidermidis (KCTC 3958) | 5% Tween 80 | 10.00 μL/mL | Limonene (81.60%) | [102] |
| P. acnes (ATCC 6919) | 0.31 μL/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | NCR | [209] |
| MAC | S. epidermidis (KCTC 3958) | >50.00 μL/mL | Limonene (55.40–91.70%), myrcene (2.10–32.10%) | [212] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Citrus species (citrus) (14 spp.) | MAC | S. epidermidis (KCTC 3958) | Tween 80 | >50.00 μL/mL | Limonene (55.40–91.70%), myrcene (2.10–32.10%) | [212] |
| P. acnes (ATCC 6919) | 1.25–>50.00 μL/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Coriandrum sativum (coriander) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 1.00% v/v | NCR | [210] |
| Curcuma longa (turmeric) | >4.00% v/v | |||||
| Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) | 0.13% v/v | |||||
| Cymbopogon nardus (citronella) | ||||||
|
| ||||||
| Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 14990) | Tween 80 | 10.00 mg/mL | 1,8-Cineol (81.93%) | [128] |
| S. epidermidis (RP62A) | 5% DSMO | 4.00 mg/L | NCR | [213] | ||
| S. epidermidis (clinical isolate TK1) | 8.00 mg/L | |||||
| P. acnes (DMST 14917) | n.m. | 9.38 mg/mL | p-Cymene (28.75%), γ-terpinene (44.60%) | [214] | ||
| ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 4.00% v/v | NCR | [210] | |
|
| ||||||
| Eucalyptus intertexta (eucalyptus) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 10% DSMO | 7.80 μg/mL | NCR | [131] |
| Eucalyptus largiflorens (eucalyptus) | 125.00 μg/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Aurelio | MAC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 20 | 50.00 μg/mL | Limonene (16.50–21.50%), (E)-anethole (59.80–66.00%) | [134] |
| Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Spartaco | 25.00–50.00 μg/mL | Limonene (0.20–17.70%), (E)-anethole (66.30–90.40%) | ||||
| Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) (6 samples) | MIC | DMSO | 250.00–750.00 μg/mL | Fenchone (16.90–34.70%), estragole (2.50–66.00%), trans-anethole (7.90–77.70%) | [133] | |
|
| ||||||
| Jasminum grandiflora (jasmine) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.50% v/v | NCR | [209] |
| Jasminum sambac (jasmine) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 2.00% v/v | [210] | |
|
| ||||||
| Juniperi aetheroleum (juniper) | MAC80 | S. epidermidis (MFBF) | n.m. | 40.00% v/v | α-Pinene (29.17%), β-pinene (17.84%), sabinene (13.55%) | [135] |
| Juniperus communis (juniper) | CTA | P. acnes (ATCC 6919) | PEG 200 | 2.00 mg/mL | α-Pinene (22.75%), β-myrcene (11.88%) | [215] |
| Juniperus officinalis (juniper), berry | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 14990) | Tween 80 | 20.00 mg/mL | α-Pinene (39.76%) | [128] |
|
| ||||||
| Kunzea ericoides (Kānuka) | MAC | S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | α-Pinene (61.60%) | [137] |
| MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 8.00 mg/mL | α-Pinene (26.2–46.7%), p-cymene (5.8–19.1%) | [138] | |
| MIC | P. acnes (ATCC 11827) | Acetone | 4.00 mg/mL | |||
|
| ||||||
| Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 6.20 mg/mL | Linalool (30.80%), linalyl acetate (31.30%) | [140] |
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-susceptible strain SK4) | n.m. | 1.00 μL/mL | NCR | [208] | ||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK9) | n.m. | 0.13 μL/mL | ||||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK19) | n.m. | 1.00 μL/mL | ||||
| P. acnes (ATCC 3314) | n.m. | 0.25 μL/mL | ||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 4) | n.m. | 1.25 μL/mL | ||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 7) | n.m. | 0.25 μL/mL | ||||
| ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 2.00% v/v | NCR | [210] | |
|
| ||||||
| Lavandula stoechas (French lavender), flower | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 20% DMSO | 250.00 μg/mL | α-Fenchone (39.20%) | [47] |
| Lavandula stoechas (French lavender), leaf | MIC | α-Fenchone (41.90%), 1,8-cineole (15.60%), camphor (12.10%) | ||||
| Lavandula stoechas (lavender) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.13% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) | MAC | S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | Tween 80 | 0.05% v/v | (−)-(E)-Calamenene (14.50%), leptospermone (17.60%) | [137] |
| MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 4.00 mg/mL | Eudesma-4(14),11-diene (6.20–14.50%), α-selinene (5.90–13.50%), (E)-methyl cinnamate (9.20–19.50%) | [138] | |
| P. acnes (ATCC 11827) | 1.00 mg/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) | ADM | S. epidermidis (NCIM number 2493) | Tween 80 | 1.00% | NCR | [79] |
| S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | ||||||
| MAC | S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | 0.45% v/v | α-Terpinene (11.40%), γ-terpinene (22.50%), terpinen-4-ol (35.20%) | [137] | ||
| MIC | S. epidermidis (15 clinical isolates) | 0.12–1.00% v/v | Terpinen-4-ol (35.70%) | [152] | ||
| MIC | S. epidermidis (RP62A) | 5% DSMO | 2.00 mg/L | NCR | [213] | |
| S. epidermidis (clinical isolate TK1) | 16.00 mg/L | |||||
| MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 6.20 mg/mL | Terpinen-4-ol (38.60%), γ-terpinene (21.60%) | [140] | |
| MIC | S. epidermidis (antibiotic-susceptible strain SK4) | n.m. | 0.13 μL/mL | NCR | [208] | |
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK9) | 1.00 μL/mL | |||||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK19) | ||||||
| MAC | P. acnes (MTCC 1951) | Tween 80 | 0.50% v/v | NCR | [79] | |
| P. acnes (32 clinical strains) | 0.25–0.50% | Terpinen-4-ol (35.70%) | [92] | |||
| ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 1.00% v/v | NCR | [210] | |
| MIC | P. acnes (ATCC 3314) | n.m. | 0.25 μL/mL | NCR | [208] | |
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 4) | 2.50 μL/mL | |||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 7) | 0.25 μL/mL | |||||
| MAC | S. epidermidis (NCTC 11047) | n.m. | 0.63–1.25% v/v | α-Pinene (11.95%), α-terpinene (14.63%), terpinen-4-ol (29.5%), p-cymene (17.74%) | [154] | |
| P. acnes (NCTC 737) | 0.31–0.63% v/v | |||||
| S. epidermidis (NCTC 11047) | 0.63–1.25% v/v | α-Pinene (24.87%), α-terpinene (12.47%), terpinen-4-ol (28.59%) | ||||
| P. acnes (NCTC 737) | 0.31–0.63% v/v | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput) | MAC | S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | Tween 80 | 0.40% v/v | 1,8-Cineole (55.50%) | [137] |
| MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 14990) | Tween 80 | 10.00 mg/mL | 1,8-Cineol (67.60%) | [128] | |
|
| ||||||
| Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli) | MAC | S. epidermidis (clinical isolate) | tween 80 | 0.40% v/v | 1,8-Cineole (61.20%) | [137] |
|
| ||||||
| Mentha piperita (peppermint) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 14990) | Tween 80 | 1.25 mg/mL | 1,8-Cineol (12.06%), menthone (22.24%), menthol (47.29%) | [128] |
| S. epidermidis (NCTC 12228) | DMSO | 0.63–2.50 mg/mL | Menthol (27.50–42.30%), menthone (18.40–27.90%) | [155] | ||
| S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 6.20 mg/mL | Menthone (18.20%), menthol (42.90%) | [140] | ||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-susceptible strain SK4) | n.m. | 0.13 μL/mL | NCR | [208] | ||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK9) | 0.50 μL/mL | |||||
| S. epidermidis (antibiotic-resistant strain SK19) | ||||||
| P. acnes (ATCC 3314) | 0.25 μL/mL | |||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 4) | 0.63 μL/mL | |||||
| P. acnes (antibiotic-resistant strain SKA 7) | 0.06 μL/mL | |||||
|
| ||||||
| Mentha spicata (spearmint) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Ocimum americanum (hoary basil) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 14916) | Polysorbate 80 | >5.00% v/v | Neral (27.20%), geraniol (32.00%) | [44] |
|
| ||||||
| Ocimum basilicum (basil) | MAC | S. epidermidis (2 clinical strains) | Tween 80 | (0.15–0.30) × 10−2% v/v | Linalool (54.95%), methyl chavicol (11.98%) | [158] |
| ADM | P. acnes (DMST 14916) | Polysorbate 80 | 2.00% v/v | Methyl chavicol (93.00%) | [44] | |
| P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | >4.00% v/v | NCR | [210] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 14916) | Polysorbate 80 | 3.0% v/v | Eugenol (41.50%), methyl eugenol (11.80%), γ-caryophyllene (23.70%) | [44] |
| Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil) | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | 2.00% v/v | NCR | [210] | |
|
| ||||||
| Origanum acutidens (Turkey oregano) | MIC | S. epidermis (A233) | 10% DMSO | 125.00 μg/mL | Carvacrol (72.0%) | [161] |
| Origanum microphyllum (oregano) | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 80 | 5.32 mg/mL | Terpin-4-ol (24.86%), γ-terpinene (13.83%), linalool (10.81%) | [162] | |
| Origanum scabrum (oregano) | 0.38 mg/mL | Carvacrol (74.86%) | ||||
|
| ||||||
| Origanum vulgare (oregano) | ADM | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 1% DMSO | 0.13% v/v | p-Cymene (14.60%), γ-terpinene (11.70%), thymol (24.70%), carvacrol (14.00%) | [163] |
| ADM | S. epidermidis (21 clinical isolates) | 0.06–0.13% v/v | ||||
|
| ||||||
| Piper nigrum (black pepper) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | >4.00% v/v | NCR | [210] |
|
| ||||||
| Rosa centifolia (rose) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.03% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | 1,8-Cineole (27.23%), α-pinene (19.43%), camphor (14.26%), camphene (11.52%) | [169] |
| S. epidermidis | 0.10% (v/v) | 1,8-Cineole (26.54%), α-pinene (20.14%), camphene (11.38%), camphor (12.88%) | [170] | |||
| S. epidermidis (MTCC 435) | n.m. | >11.00 mg/mL | NCR | [171] | ||
| S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 10.10 mg/mL | 1,8-Cineole (41.40%), α-pinene (13.30%), camphor (12.40%) | [140] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Salvia bracteata (sage) | MAC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 20 | 50.00 μg/mL | Caryophyllene oxide (16.6%) | [173] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia eremophila (sage) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 10% DMSO | 32.00 μg/mL | Borneol (21.83%), α-pinene (18.80%), bornyl acetate (18.68%) | [174] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia nilotica (sage) | ADM | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | n.m. | 5.50 mg/mL | trans-Caryophyllene (10.90%) | [175] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia ringens (sage) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | n.m. | NI | α-Pinene (12.85%), 1,8-cineole (46.42%) | [177] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia rosifolia (sage) (3 samples) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | 20% DMSO | 125.00–1000.00 μg/mL | α-Pinene (15.70–34.80%), 1,8-cineole (16.60–25.10%), β-pinene (6.70–13.50%) | [178] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia rubifolia (sage) | MAC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 20 | 50.00 μg/mL | γ-Muurolene (11.80%) | [173] |
|
| ||||||
| Salvia sclarea (clary sage) | MIC | S. epidermidis (19 clinical isolates) | Ethanol | 4.50–6.25 | Linalyl acetate (57.90%), linalool (12.40%) | [179] |
|
| ||||||
| Syzygium aromaticum (clove) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | Eugenol (68.52%), β-caryophyllene (19.00%), 2-methoxy-4-[2-propenyl]phenol acetate (10.15%) | [169] |
| ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | NCR | [210] | ||
| MIC | P. acnes | n.m. | 0.31 mg/mL | DL-Limonene (61.60%) | [216] | |
|
| ||||||
| Thymus capitatus (thyme) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) | Tween 80 | 900.00 μg/mL | p-Cymene (26.40%), thymol (29.30%), carvacrol (10.80%) | [181] |
| Thymus capitatus (thyme), commercial | α-Pinene (25.20%), linalool (10.30%), thymol (46.10%) | |||||
| Thymus herba-barona (thyme), Gennargentu | 450.00 μg/mL | Thymol (46.90%), carvacrol (20.6 0%) | ||||
| Thymus herba-barona (thyme), Limbara | 900.00 μg/mL | p-Cymene (27.60%), thymol (50.30%) | ||||
|
| ||||||
| Thymus quinquecostatus (thyme), Jeju | MAC | P. acnes (ATCC 6919) | n.m. | 0.50 mg/mL | p-Cymen-3-ol (50.41%), p-cymen-2-ol (24.06%), cymene (19.04%) | [207] |
| P. granulosum (ATCC 25564) | ||||||
|
| ||||||
| Thymus vulgaris (thyme) | MIC | S. epidermidis (ATCC 2223) | Acetone | 4.70 mg/mL | Thymol (47.20%), p-cymene (22.10%) | [140] |
| P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.02% v/v | NCR | [209] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Zingiber officinale (ginger) | MIC | P. acnes (CMCC 65002) | Tween 80 | 0.25% v/v | NCR | [209] |
|
| ||||||
| Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) | ADM | P. acnes (DMST 4916, 14917, 4918, 21823, 21823, 21824) | 0.5% polysorbate 80 | >4.00% v/v | NCR | [210] |
aScientific name (common name), part of plant (if applicable).
bMIC: microdilution method; MAC: macrodilution method; ADM: agar dilution method; CTA: contact time assay.
cAmerican Type Culture Collection, Rockville, USA (ATCC); Colección Espanõla de Cultivos Tipo (CECT); collection of microorganisms of the Department of Microbiology (MFBF); culture collection of antibiotics-resistant microbes (CCRM); Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, clinical isolate (OGU); Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (LM); Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC); Mycology Laboratory (LM); National Center of Industrial Microorganisms (NCIM); National Collection of Type Cultures, London, Great Britain (NCTC); Spanish Collection of Type Cultures (STCC).
dDMSO concentration was not included; n.m.: not mentioned.
eNI: no inhibition.
fNCR: no composition results reported.