Researched Skin Care Ingredients

Research behind botanicals, vitamins, collagen and SOD show they possess strong anti-aging benefits to skin health.

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

June 24, 2015

2 Min Read
Researched Skin Care Ingredients

While no one wants an old heart or liver, it’s the skin that get the most attention in the anti-aging category. As the body’s largest organ, it offers a first impression on the age of the person who bares it.

The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis. The epidermis, the outside visible layer of skin, is constantly rebuilding itself with new cell growth occurring in the lower layer epidermis, which works its way to the surface in about four weeks and then sheds. Melanocyte cells in the epidermis produce melanin in response to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, causing a tan, but also age-related dark spots. Moving to the thick inner layer of the skin, the dermis has elastic fibers, which help the skin stay elastic (aka, wrinkle free). 

Research has shown healthy nutrition affects the processes and look of skin, but consumers can find it difficult to eat all of the nutrients they want to keep their skin youthful, so supplement and functional food manufacturers have the opportunity to include researched-backed botanicals and specialty nutrients into anti-aging skin care products.

Carotenoids, yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants, have been shown to be suitable photoprotectants (offer protection from the sun). The herb rosemary has also demonstrated an anti-aging effect to the skin. Olives and olive oils help skin with its hydroxytyrosol, the major antioxidant compound, which protects skin that’s been damaged by UV light.

In India, the spice turmeric is featured in curry and has been used in Ayurvedic medicines to address several conditions. Modern research has shown it improves skin health. Boswellia serrata, a tropical tree, has also long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for arthritis, infections, depression, diabetes and cancer. Boswellic acids (BAs) extracted from the gum resins of boswellia have been shown in modern research to stimulate fibroblasts benefitting skin health.

Lychee fruit, a tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, helps the dermis and appearance of the epidermis, according to several unpublished trials.

Beta-glucans—sugars in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, lichens and plants, such as oats and barley—are known for their use in immune health, but other research has how their benefits to skin as a moisturizer and wound healer.

Vitamin E is comprised of eight fat-soluble compounds (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol, and alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol), with research showing  benefits to skin, especially from tocotrienols.

Learn more about the research behind these and other skin care natural ingredients in the article “Ageless Skin Care Ingredients" by Sandy Almendarez in INSIDER’s Content Library.

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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