 |
Anti-oxidants For The Skin - Can They Make A Difference?
Author: Marcus Stout  | Posted: 16-02-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 23 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
With all the recent talk about anti-oxidants and their importance in protecting our health, nearly all of us have learned that we should be eating and drinking more foods and beverages with high anti-oxidant contents. But, what about skincare products that contain herbs and plants that are high in anti-oxidants? Can they help reduce aging when used topically?
Today, drugstore and department store shelves are full of moisturizers and other skin care products made from fruits, vegetables and herbs. The products promise to prevent aging, and in some cases, even reverse skin damage that has already occurred. The theory is that the same anti-oxidants that protect our health when consumed as part of our diet can protect our skin when applied directly to the face.
One study, reported by the UK Tea Council examined many of these products, including those containing green tea, soy, pomegranate, grape seed oil, aloe, horse chestnut, comfrey, chamomile, dates and allantoin. The study reviewed the research behind skin care products with each of these ingredients to determine what scientific evidence exists to suggest that the products are indeed effective on the skin.
After reviewing the research on each of the products, the study showed that the only natural products with any evidence to back up their effectiveness were green and black tea, pomegranates, soy and dates have had any real clinical trials to give evidence that the products are effective.
So, what products do you choose? Well, there are a wide variety of products that contain at least one of the ingredients that do have evidence to suggest that they are good treatments for the skin. Highly recognized cosmetic companies like Murad and Proactiv and Aveeno make products using these ingredients. Which natural product you choose really depends upon the type of skin problems you're having. Here are the most popular natural skin care ingredients and the problems they can help to solve.
Soy - Soy's an effective moisturizer and offers anti-oxidants, which can help prevent aging. In addition, certain soy proteins have been shown to help with pigmentation problems, like sun spots and other discolorations.
Pomegranate - Pomegranate is also full of anti-oxidants and has been shown to be a cancer preventative. One study on pomegranates showed that when breast cancer cells were exposed to pomegranate extract they self destructed, leaving healthy cells intact. As a skin treatment, pomegranates are best for healing; making it an effective treatment for acne and any other skin ailments that need to heal.
Green Tea - Green tea has some of the most powerful anti-oxidants available. And, they're apparently just as effective when applied to the skin as they are when part of a healthy diet.
Green tea has been shown to rejuvenate skin, actually reactivating dying skin cells. Green tea does not penetrate below the first layer of the skin, but even here it can have dramatic results. As skin cells reach the epidermis they prepare to die, and over the next week or so, they become dull as they're dying off.
Green tea rejuvenates these cells, making them live longer and removing that dull tired look that skin gets. So, a green tea in your moisturizer can help improve the look of your skin almost immediately. It's still important to exfoliate regularly to help rid your skin of the cells that are already dead.
But, green tea may have cancer preventing effects as well. Other studies have shown that green tea's anti-oxidants have a scavenging effect on free radicals on the skin, and even on abnormal skin cells. So, green tea may help rid your skin of cells that might otherwise become dangerous skin cancer cells. Doctors recommend using green tea cream under your sunscreen for the optimal effect.
Green tea is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason it is sometimes an effective treatment for skin problems like roseacia. Researchers believe that because of the combination of anti-inflammatory properties along with the anti-oxidant activity of green tea, it likely will have many anti-aging properties once more research has been performed.
One question that arises when using any natural product on your skin is whether or not the active ingredients can remain effective after months on the shelf. It's a sensible question, since we know that, from a dietary standpoint, fresh is best.
We still need more research on the subject, but it's certain that you should use fresh products whenever you can. For example, in addition to using a commercially available green tea product as a moisturizer, try freezing freshly brewed green tea into ice cubes to be used as toner. Just be sure to let the ice cube sit out just a little bit to thaw, so that they don't burn the skin.
Natural skin care products will likely gain more popularity as more research emerges showing their potential. In the meantime, there's no reason not to get a head start. Many natural skin care products, like those that contain green tea, soy and pomegranate offer excellent skin care and treat many types of skin irritations. And, there may be some significant long term benefits to your skin, too!
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/antioxidants-for-the-skin-can-they-make-a-difference-105983.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Green Tea And The Skin
By: Marcus Stout | 25/02/2007 | Medicine
Natural skin care products are gaining popularity. In addition to the popularity of natural beauty products, many people are also interested in other types of green tea skin products, such as those that can be used for healing cuts and minimizing the appearance of scars. A third area of interest...
Green Tea and Antioxidants
By: Philip collins | 14/10/2006 | Non-Fiction
Green Tea and it relation to antioxidants
Choosing the Best Products for a Man's Skin
By: Deidra Garcia | 09/03/2007 | Wellness
It seems like hundreds of skincare and grooming products are available to men these days and more are being added all the time. But how many of them provide effective results? And which ones are really necessary to maintain great-looking skin with a minimum amount of effort? Follow these tips to find the best products for you.
New Antioxidant Discoveries & How They Can Improve your Health
By: Deidra Garcia | 09/03/2007 | Nutrition
Antioxidants have been making headlines all over the world in regards to their healing and skin-protecting qualities. But as research continues, new antioxidant discoveries are being made every day. Below is a brief overview of some of these new, exciting ingredients and how they can benefit skin and the body.
Can Green Tea Protect Against Atherosclerosis?
By: Marcus Stout | 26/01/2007 | Medicine
Heart disease and high cholesterol are some of the most prevalent health concerns in our country today. One of the things that all of us should be concerned with in our quest to live long and healthy lives is our cholesterol levels. Out of control cholesterol is a leading contributor...
Will Alternative Therapies Work With Warfarin?
By: Marcus Stout | 26/01/2007 | Health
The medical world has been rocked in recent years by the widespread use of alternative therapies in treating illnesses and injuries. In fact, it's now estimated that as many as one in three adults in the U.S. uses herbal remedies and other alternative therapies.
Sales of herbal medicine skyrocketed nearly 60...
A Critical Look at Anti-Aging Products
By: Deidra Garcia | 31/07/2006 | Health
These days, a sea of cosmetic products pledge to "turn back the hands of time" and "recapture our youth." But how many of these claims can actually provide clinically-proven results? And how many are just a bunch of hot air? Learn about what to look for in an anti-aging product (and what to avoid).
About Green Tea
By: Fj Calderon | 09/04/2007 | Nutrition
Green tea does not come from a different plant than real tea. In fact, all true teas, including green tea, come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference between green tea the beverage and other real tea beverages, besides the green color, is the way tea leaves are processed before brewing.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Halloween costumes
By: free2bme | 26-10-2007
What is your favorite Halloween costume?
Jeans
By: jeans | 17-10-2007
what are the best selling womens jeans right now?
What styles of Paige Jeans do you carry?
By: rgiesse | 16-10-2007
What styles of Paige Jeans do you carry?
Is adding lemon to your tea harmful?
By: outland | 15-10-2007
Is adding lemon to your tea harmful?
Homecoming hairstyle
By: CiNdYmA | 14-10-2007
I'm totally broke and my mother refuses to finance this year's homecoming hairstyle. Does anyone of you girls has tips about DIY hair styling? how should I know what's hot and what's not?
How to treat wide pores,caused by cleaning ...
By: veni | 11-10-2007
how to treat wide pores,caused by cleaning comedones?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Medicine Articles
Proactive Fighting Yeast Infections and Clotrimazole
By: Matthew Bredel | 21/08/2008
Yeast infections are rather unpleasant and in some scenarios can be quite dangerous but luckily there are many things that can be done to help you overcome them. This article looks at reactive and proactive treatment of yeast infections including the medication Clotrimazole which is a medicine used today that...
Obesity Surgery in India a Way to Beat Extra Weight
By: Mitesh Janiyani | 21/08/2008
Obesity surgery hospitals in India are assisting international patients for loosing their extra weight.
Get a Successful Splenectomy in India at Chennai, Mumbai and Goa Facilitated by Forerunners Healthcare Consultants
By: Mitesh Janiyani | 21/08/2008
Forerunners healthcare is assisting international patients suffering from spleen problems and are wishing to have splenectomy but they can’t afford expensive surgery in their own native country and also because of the waiting list.
Anti-aging Medication
By: Carson Danfield | 21/08/2008
Various forms of medication can affect the condition of the skin making it look puffy, lifeless, and dry or various other states depending on the type of medication and the quantities that are being taken.
Anti-aging Meditation
By: Carson Danfield | 21/08/2008
Meditation along with yoga is one of the most effective ways of relaxing and eliminating or coping with stress.
Pinworms Infection
By: Dr John Anne | 21/08/2008
Pinworms are intestinal infections that are generally caused by tiny parasitic worms. Pinworms are type of little worm that commonly infects the intestines, often in kids. Many of the kids generally had pinworms at one time, and the worms are nothing to be afraid of
Not a Spirit of Fear, But of a Sound Mind
By: Dr Gez Agolli | 21/08/2008
Gez Agolli, ND, PhD, is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and the Managing Director of Progressive Medical Centers of America. In the past several issues of Christian Living Magazine, he has discussed detoxification (the removal heavy metal deposits through chelatin treatments and the use of the FIR sauna), hormone therapy for women, pain management, and weight loss.
Tips on Purchasing Canadian Mail Order Drugs
By: kristine | 21/08/2008
Canadian mail order drugs are a lot cheaper compared to those sold in the United States. As such, a lot of Americans are opting to get their prescription medications from Canadian online pharmacies. If you are considering getting your meds from a Canadian pharmacy, read on for a guide on purchasing them safely.
More from Marcus Stout
Bottled Water Delivery: The Bottle
By: Marcus Stout | 06/10/2007 | Marketing
Bottled water delivery service is an important part of the bottled water industry. For homes and offices it is a convenient way to receive cost effective, high quality drinking water on a regular basis.
Studies have shown that use of purified water in the workplace increases productivity and improves the overall...
Private Label Bottled Water With A Quality Label Creates A Quality Brand Message
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Marketing
Private label bottled water is a highly effective way to promote your brand but to be successful you must have a professionally designed private label. The design needs to be aesthetically pleasing with an effective message that will send a hard hitting brand message..
There are many companies on the web...
Quality Private Label Bottled Water Is The Key To Cost Effective Advertising
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Marketing
A classic advertising comment talks about half of the advertising budget is wasted but management can't figure out which half.
This is even more relevant today as advertising costs skyrocket and companies often have to invest in advertising campaigns in order to achieve a return on their investment. This only increases...
Bottled Water And Bottled Water Delivery In Washington, D.C. And Northern Virginia: A Marketing Phenomenon
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Marketing
Bottled water and bottled water delivery has grown in popularity in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in recent years.
This popularity is due to a number of factors like poor municipal water quality and a growing awareness of the role of good health in modern living. In addition there are a...
Private Label Bottled Water Improves Advertising Effectiveness
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Marketing
Private label bottled water is a powerful, effective advertising tool and private label bottled water is a cost effective way to promote a consumer brand. It is an important element of any effective consumer advertising effort.
Every business owner and manager knows that advertising is very expensive and it is often...
Business Development For The Private Labeled Bottled Water Industry
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Health
The private labeled bottled water industry is exciting with tremendous growth opportunities and the ability for suppliers to offer their customers and strategic partners creative, effective advertising solutions.
But like any business, care is required to develop the business in a profitable way and the best way to do this is...
How Pure Is Bottled Water?
By: Marcus Stout | 22/09/2007 | Health
Pure drinking water is the basic element in any health oriented way of life. Although there is a great deal of water in the world less than 3% of the world's "fresh" water is fit for human consumption and most of the so called drinkable water is not pure.
For the...
Pure Water And Employee Productivity: A Good Investment
By: Marcus Stout | 26/06/2007 | Management
In a competitive world productivity is king. When employees are productive in their jobs, everyone benefits from the individual employee, the firm, the consumer and the economy as a whole. Increased productivity is one of the main elements returning a depressed economy to health and growth...
High levels of productivity are...
|
|
Health 
