Pomegranate Extracts Reduce Signs of Aging
With so many products and labels on the self claiming to work miracles on the skin how do you know what product to use? The best way is to choose products that have carefully selected ingredients formulated for your skin type. One popular ingredient that is being used in many skin care products and is beneficial for all skin types, is pomegranate extract. Pomegranate extract is an important ingredient in tackling many skin care problems and protecting against harmful environmental damage
Pomegranates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, are rich in antioxidants and are healthy for the body and skin. Pomegranate extract has been suggested by the American Association for Cancer Research to have significant benefits in reducing risk of the most common of cancers, skin cancer. Pomegranate extract aids in sun protection by up to 20% when added to sunscreen, thus giving the skin more protection from harmful UV rays.
Pomegranate extract is also being used in anti aging skin treatments due to the fruit’s abundant level of vitamins and antioxidants. Pomegranate fruit is rich in Vitamin B and C which reduce the signs of aging by promoting new cell turnover. Skin cell regeneration protects against photo aging, making it an excellent choice for those with aging skin. Antioxidants fight against environmental damage that can cause premature aging. Pomegranates have recently been found to have three times the amount of powerful anti oxidants than green tea. Pomegranate is more stable in skincare products when compared to other ingredients that are rich in anti oxidants. When used in skincare products, pomegranate extract assists with skin repair, protects against free radical damage, boosts the SPF, encourages collagen production and evens skin tone.
By nature, products containing pomegranate are moisturizing and nourishing, and are perfect for aging skin, dryness or skin irritation. Topical skincare products containing pomegranate oils or extracts are generally safe for everyone and can even be used to treat individuals with conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Pomegranate fruit extract can be used in creams, serums, facial cleanser, soaps and sunscreens.
According to a study carried out at the University of Michigan Medical School, “Aqueous fractions prepared from pomegranate peel, fermented juice and lipophilic fractions of the pomegranate were examined for effects on human epidermal keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast function. Pomegranate seed oil, but not aqueous extracts of fermented juice, peel or seed cake, was shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation in a mono-layer culture. In parallel, a mild thickening of the epidermis was observed but without effect on fibroblast function. In contrast, pomegranate peel extract stimulated type I procollagen synthesis and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs can break down skin proteins) production by dermal fibroblasts, but had no growth-supporting effect on keratinocytes. These results indicate the potential of pomegranate fractions in facilitating skin repair by promoting regeneration of the dermis and epidermis.”
What this means in layman’s terms is, that certain pomegranate seed oils were shown to have measurable effect on skin texture and cellular repair.
In this light, you can look forward to more skincare adding pomegranate to their arsenal anti-aging ingredients, based on its clinically proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties.
