The magical skin care benefits of plant extracts: From green tea to pomegranate
The influence of tea extracts
Tea, an ancient drink, has now become a star ingredient in skin care products. The active substances such as tea polyphenols and catechins rich in tea, after scientific extraction, are widely used in various skin care products. These ingredients not only have excellent antioxidant properties, but also can effectively promote the metabolism of the skin, restoring its health and vitality.
Green tea extract plays an indispensable role in skin care products, although it may not be as eye-catching as some emerging ingredients. However, this does not prevent it from firmly establishing itself in the skincare industry with its outstanding effects. Multiple studies have confirmed that the polyphenols contained in green tea, especially catechins (EGCG), bring significant skin care effects to it. Catechins not only demonstrate powerful antioxidant capacity, but also effectively prevent glycation, reduce inflammation and help whiten the skin. What is even more worth mentioning is that research shows that just 3% of green tea extract can reduce oil secretion by approximately 25% after continuous use for 8 weeks, which may be related to the caffeine content it contains. This feature makes it an ideal choice for acne-prone skin.
The functions of soybean extract
Skin care products containing soy extract ingredients have gained a foothold in the market. Research shows that soybean extract has significant antioxidant and whitening effects. It can also enhance skin elasticity, reduce oil secretion, keep the skin moist, and help delay photoaging. Soy protein contains approximately 243 kinds of proteins, which provide a comprehensive source of amino acids for the skin. Amino acids exhibit a variety of benefits when applied externally to the skin, such as moisturizing, antioxidation, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, soybeans are rich in phospholipids, saponins and lecithin, etc. These substances not only have excellent moisturizing functions, but also can repair the skin barrier. Further research has confirmed that isoflavones in soybeans can effectively promote the increase of collagen, skin hyaluronic acid and skin elasticity, and significant effects can be seen in just six weeks.
The uniqueness of mushroom and licorice essence
The sources of mushroom extracts are extensive and may come from various mushroom species such as Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, inonotus obliquus or Lentinula edodes. The common feature of these extracts is that they are rich in polysaccharide components, among which β -glucan is the key component. β -glucan not only has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, but research also shows that it can regulate skin immunity, accelerate wound healing, and demonstrate outstanding anti-UV and antioxidant properties. In addition, different types of mushrooms contain various chemical components. For instance, the European Ganoderma lucidum (Ganoderma feifferi) has shown inhibitory effects on a variety of fungi, including Propionibacterium acnes, which causes acne. Meanwhile, mushroom extract is also rich in antioxidant phenolic components, proteins and lipids, etc., making it a comprehensive and precious plant extract essence.
The efficacy of licorice extract is extensive and significant, among which the most well-known is its excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic capabilities. This ingredient is often used in skin care products to soothe sensitive skin and reduce inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, licorice is also rich in various active ingredients, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. These components not only have powerful antioxidant effects but also can effectively enhance the skin's barrier function, making the skin healthier and smoother. In addition, the mild nature of licorice extract also makes it an ideal choice for all skin types. The whitening effect of licorice extract should not be ignored either. Only a trace concentration is needed to effectively inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, thereby achieving a whitening effect. Many products on the market only contain glycyrrhizic acid rather than complete licorice extract. There is a significant difference between the two, as the core component of licorice, glycyrrhizin, is the essence that endows licorice extract with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the concentration of licorice extract in skin care products is usually not high and it is difficult to be used alone as a main ingredient, when it is used as an auxiliary ingredient in combination with whitening ingredients such as vitamin C glycoside (AA2G) and arbutin, the effect is particularly outstanding.
The antioxidant capacity of pomegranate extract
The application of pomegranate extract in the field of skin care is attracting increasing attention. The rich polyphenols and flavonoids it contains endow it with powerful antioxidant capacity, which helps to enhance the overall health of the skin. When pomegranate extract works in synergy with other active ingredients such as vitamin C derivatives or hyaluronic acid, its effect is even more remarkable, providing deep nourishment and protection for the skin.
The astringency of pomegranates comes from the rich tannic acid compounds they contain. These tannic acids, together with other flavonoids in pomegranates, exert an excellent antioxidant effect. Similar to many plant extracts, pomegranate extract not only has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, but also promotes the synthesis of collagen and provides UVB protection for the skin. It is particularly worth mentioning that ellagic acid contained in pomegranates has a whitening mechanism similar to that of ascorbic acid and vitamin C. It can achieve a whitening effect by chelating copper ions in the active sites of tyrosinase.
