Potential Possibilities of Using Peat, Humic Substances, and Sulfurous Waters in Cosmetology

A recent open-access review published in Applied Sciences (2024) that addresses peat and humic substances specifically in a cosmetology context. The framing here is important: most peat therapy literature comes from balneology and rheumatology. This paper speaks directly to cosmetic formulation and skin care, making it one of the most directly applicable references for product development and consumer-facing claims.

Composition Data

The review provides quantified ranges for humic substance content in peat: humic acids 10–43% of dry mass, fulvic acids 5.5–25%. These are not single-source figures but ranges drawn from literature across peat types and origins — useful for understanding the variability in cosmetic peat quality. The full composition picture the paper presents includes: humic compounds, bitumens (waxes, resins, steroids), monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, lignin, lipids, polyphenols, nucleic acids, and B-group vitamins. Peat is not a simple extract — it is a dense biological matrix.

Peat Type Distinctions

The paper differentiates high-moor (sphagnum) and low-moor peat in terms cosmetically relevant: high-moor is strongly acidic, has very large water capacity, 75% organic matter in dry mass; low-moor is neutral to acidic, has 95% organic matter but is richer in mineral nutrients. For cosmetic purposes, high-moor sphagnum peat is generally preferred — its acidity aligns with the skin’s own acid mantle, and its high water capacity makes it an effective delivery matrix.

Pharmacological Activities for Cosmetics

The review summarises five pharmacological activity classes relevant to cosmetology: antimicrobial (relevant for acne, scalp conditions, preservation), anti-inflammatory (relevant for redness, eczema, psoriasis), antioxidant (relevant for skin aging, UV damage), estrogenic (relevant for skin aging via collagen pathways), and wound healing (relevant for skin repair and barrier recovery). Each is cited to primary literature.

Sulfurous Water Synergy

The paper also covers sulfurous waters as a complementary ingredient — relevant because some Central European spa peloids combine peat with mineral sulfur springs during maturation, potentially adding further antibacterial and keratolytic activity. This is less relevant to Nordic sphagnum peat used in cosmetics.