23 Aug Five Natural Ingredients for Healthy Ageing Skin

The body’s largest organ and first line of defence, it’s no surprise the skin is quick to reveal the signs of ageing with thinning, sagging, wrinkles, age spots, dryness and broken blood vessels written across your face. As changes begin to occur in both the upper layer (epidermis) and lower layer (dermis), ageing skin can however be more susceptible to a range of conditions that luckily, Mother Nature has the perfect antidote for

1. Honey

Used in skin care, wound care and healing for centuries[1], the natural enzymes in honey deliver important antiseptic and moisture retaining properties — assisting ageing skin that suffers increased dryness and thinning of layers which may lead to heightened inflammation and sensitivity. Honey gathered from the Manuka (Leptospermum) bush has also been shown to have advanced skin properties with studies[2] revealing it may also assist in managing minor wounds and provide symptomatic relief of dry, sensitive skin and even eczema[3].

2. Liquorice

With its anti-inflammatory properties, liquorice extract can assist in the treatment of skin redness and rosacea but really comes into its own when treating uneven pigmentation. Pigment cells tend to increase in number and cluster in certain areas as we age — you’ll know them as age or liver spots — and especially those areas that have been exposed to the sun, such as the backs of the hands. By interrupting an enzyme that stimulates melanin production, liquorice root can be an effective skincare ingredient in improving dark spots and helping to lighten under eye circles.When all your face, shoulders, and back are covered with acne, you don’t feel confident at all.

3. Green Tea

The high levels of antioxidant chemicals (polyphenols) in green tea, catechins such as epigallocatechin, gallate; and flavonoids, such as kaempferol and theaflavin, not only make it a superfood beverage but deliver green tea the power to help prevent and reverse UV damage to the skin. A natural anti-inflammatory and skin soothing ingredient in skincare, green tea can also help to prevent collagen breakdown which is one of the prime factors contributing to wrinkles and sagging of the skin.

4. Oats

Not only great for your gut, oatmeal or rather colloidal oatmeal can help to treat a range of skin irritations thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to replenish and maintain the skin barrier — often compromised in ageing skin due to the slowing down of cell production in the epidermis and reduction of protective sweat and oil glands. Suitable for the most sensitive skins, including eczema or allergy prone, colloidal oatmeal starches help hydrate while saponins gently absorb dirt and debris.

5. Vitamin C

One of nature’s superstar ingredients, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) battles some of the common signs of ageing skin by providing potent antioxidant protection against damaging free radicals. Targeting sagging and dullness in the skin, vitamin C aids in collagen synthesis — essential for boosting firmness and smoothness — with its antioxidant power also helping to lighten dark spots while decreasing inflammation and irritation. Getting to work on improving the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin texture, vitamin C plays a vital role in the health of the skin.

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686636/

[2] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071575402000633?np=y

[3] http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/11485891