Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. These provide aloe vera with moisturizing, anti-aging, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Mucopolysaccharides in aloe vera help in locking moisture into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc in it acts as an astringent to tighten pores. It also has an anti-acne effect.
Calendula Officinalis exhibits antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. This makes it a potent constituent as a solution for various skin conditions. It is a very safe product and hence is used for sensitive skin and even for baby skin. In common practice, it is used for acne, wounds, psoriasis, eczema, diaper rashes, as a sunscreen, or generally for better skin. It keeps the skin firm and hydrates it hence proving to be of use as an anti-aging agent.
It has healing properties thanks to the following:
Triterpene saponins and mucilage have a healing impact on both the skin and the mucous membranes.
Carotenoids speed up the healing process.
Flavonoids prevent cellular aging.
Triterpene alcohol has anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginseng Extract is known to be protective against UVB-induced cell death, prevents wrinkles, increases skin hydration, and has an antioxidant effect. It hence is an effective reagent for antiaging skin products. It also helps with the dullness and puffiness of the skin.
Ginkgo Extract is obtained from an Asian tree that is known to be the oldest living tree on Earth. Extracts from the tree help prevent premature aging, increases collagen production, are a powerful anti-oxidant, and have a beneficial effect on hyperpigmentation.
Turmeric Extract Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a commonly used spice throughout the world, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-neoplastic properties. Growing evidence shows that an active component of turmeric, curcumin, may be used medically to treat a variety of dermatologic diseases.
Hyaluronic acid The most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of epidermal HA, while HA is still present in the dermis. This is so because the synthesis of epidermal HA is influenced by the underlying dermis and is under separate control from the synthesis of dermal HA. Thus, with age, the epidermis loses the principle molecule responsible for binding and retaining water molecules, resulting in loss of skin moisture. This contributes to the apparent dehydration, atrophy, and loss of elasticity that characterizes aged skin. Repeated and extended UV exposure is the major cause of early signs of skin aging in up to 80% of the population. Although the skin initially produces an increased amount of Hyaluronic acid on exposure to UV radiation, later tissue injury starts to take place and leads to the disposition of scar-like collagen.
Extrinsic supply of hyaluronic acid to the epidermis helps maintain elasticity and moisture of the skin hence helping with the signs of skin aging.
Matrixyl is a specific wrinkle targeted product that has long term results on the skin. It is a type of peptide that stimulates collagen production. Unlike Retinol, it is completely safe for use and even ranks as 1 (being totally safe) on EWG Skin Deep’s Scale against Retinol being scored at 9 (highly unsafe).
