Botanical formulations

1. A topical skin composition comprising:

(a) Arctium lappa root extract;

(b) Epilobium angustifolium extract;

(c) Cystoseira amentacea or Caespitosa Brachycarpa extract;

(d) sodium C14-15 olefin sulfonate;

(e) cocamidopropyl betaine;

(f) sodium chloride;

(g) disodium EDTA; and

(h) phenoxyethanol.

2. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , further comprising salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, benzoic acid, or tretinoin.

3. The topical skin composition of claim 2 , comprising salicylic acid.

4. The topical skin composition of claim 2 , comprising benzoyl peroxide.

5. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:

(i) water;

(j) salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide or a combination thereof;

(k) butylene glycol or propylene glycol or a combination thereof; and

(l) citric acid.

6. The topical skin composition of claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises:

(i) at least 50% by weight of water;

(j) 0.1 to 3% by weight of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide or a combination thereof;

(k) 0.005 to 10% by weight of butylene glycol or propylene glycol or a combination thereof; and

(l) 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of citric acid.

7. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least 65% by weight of water and:

(i) 15 to 20% by weight of sodium C14-15 olefin sulfonate;

(e) 4 to 8% by weight of cocamidopropyl betaine;

(f) 1 to 3% by weight of sodium chloride;

(g) 0.1 to 1% by weight of disodium EDTA; and

(h) 0.1 to 1% by weight of phenoxyethanol.

8. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is capable of reducing skin inflammation.

9. The topical skin composition of claim 8 , wherein the composition is capable of reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-2, and TNF-α in human epidermal keratinocytes.

10. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of:

rosacea-treating pharmaceuticals, analgesics, anesthetics, anorectals, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimicrobials, anti-cancer pharmaceuticals, scabicides, pediculicides, antineoplastics, antiperspirants, antipruritics, antipsoriatic agents, antiseborrheic agents, proteins, peptides, burn treatment agents, cauterizing agents, depigmenting agents, depilatories, diaper rash treatment agents, enzymes, hair growth stimulants, hair growth retardant, hemostatics, kerotolytics, canker sore treatment agents, cold sore treatment agents, dental treatment agents, periodontal treatment agents, photosensitizing agents, skin protectant agents, barrier agents, steroids, sunburn treatment agents, sunscreens, nasal treatment agents, vaginal treatment agents, wart treatment agents, wound treatment agents, wound healing agents and combinations thereof.

11. The topical skin composition of claim 10 , wherein:

said anti-inflammatory agents include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;

wherein said hair growth retardants include DFMO hair growth retardants; and

wherein steroids include hormones or corticosteroids.

12. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , further comprising an additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of:

Pinus sylvestris bark extract, Ribes nigrum (BlackCurrant) leaf extract, Peumus boldus (Boldo) leaf extract, Spiraea ulmaria (Meadow Sweet) extract, Hydrolyzed soy protein, navy bean extract, mushroom extract and combinations thereof.

13. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , wherein said topical skin composition is a cosmetic and wherein said cosmetic is selected from the group consisting of:

a moisturizer, a cream, a lotion, a skin softener, a foundation, a night cream, a lipstick, a cleanser, a toner, a sunscreen and a cosmetic mask.

14. The topical skin composition of claim 1 , further including an ingredient selected from the group consisting of:

vitamins, minerals, amino acids, drugs, botanicals and combinations thereof.

15. A method for treating a skin condition comprising topically applying to a subject in need thereof, the composition according to claim 1 , wherein said skin condition is selected from the group consisting of:

acne, pruritus, spider veins, lentigo, skin discoloration, skin inflammation, senile purpura, keratosis, melasma, blotches, skin lines, wrinkles, sun damaged skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, folliculitis, rosacea, impetigo, erysipelas, erythrasma and eczema.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:

treatment of acne includes treatment of symptoms of acne and wherein said symptoms are selected from the group consisting of:

comedones, papules, pustules, nodulocystic lesions, skin redness and combinations thereof; wherein said skin discoloration is selected from the group costing of:

age spots, freckles and combinations thereof; and wherein

the type of dermatitis treated is selected from the group consisting of:

seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, stasis dermatitis and combinations thereof.

17. A method for reducing expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-2 and TNF-α in human epidermal keratinocytes comprising topically applying to a human, an effective amount of the composition according to claim 1 .