What are cosmeceuticals and what are their benefits?

There are countless modern cosmetics. Which one do you like? Do you know what cosmeceuticals are? What are the benefits of cosmeceuticals?

What is cosmeceuticals?

Cosmeceuticals: also known as medical skin care products, refer to cosmetics that are formulated and used by doctors to solve skin beauty problems from a medical perspective. It originated in the Xia and Shang dynasties, and later became popular abroad. It is called COSMECEUTICAL abroad, which is a product between medicine and cosmetics, equivalent to China's functional cosmetics.

In China, there is no definition of cosmeceuticals. This concept is only used in the industry. There are three schools of thought regarding the concept of cosmeceuticals: 1. Pharmaceutical cosmetics; 2. Medical skin care products; 3. Functional cosmetics such as anti-freckle and anti-acne products. With the opening of the skin care products market, foreign cosmeceuticals have also entered the domestic market, and China's cosmeceuticals industry has sprung up like mushrooms after a rain.

What are the benefits of cosmeceuticals

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the direct cause of skin and human aging is the decline and imbalance of the five internal organs. The central idea of ​​traditional Chinese medicine theory about maintaining health is to maintain a dynamic balance between yin and yang, especially the balance within the five internal organs. Traditional Chinese medicine books believe that the functions of the five internal organs are both mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining. From the perspective of modern biology, a dynamic balance of interactions between multiple different organs, enzymes and cellular activities must be maintained.

1. Delay cell aging

Extracts of astragalus and ginseng can extend the lifespan of cells, including fibroblasts in human skin.

2. Eliminate free radicals

Free radicals include superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, which have strong oxidative potential and can cause aging of the skin and the body. Experiments have shown that many Chinese medicinal materials have strong antioxidant effects. Schisandra chinensis and Panax notoginseng extracts can effectively inhibit lipid peroxidation and the production of malondialdehyde. The flavonoids in the extract can increase the biological activity of antioxidant enzymes in cells, promote the synthesis of SOD and GSH-PX enzymes, and thus reduce lipid peroxidation.

In addition, Salvia miltiorrhiza contains the active ingredients of salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid C, which are effective free radical scavengers and can also inhibit lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation.

3. Repair collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for 25% of the total protein. It is an important component of the dermis. It is a soluble protein that is mainly found in the skin, teeth, bones, tendons and other parts. As we age, the ability of collagen to respond to physical stress gradually decreases. Because hydroxyproline is the most important and stable amino acid in skin collagen, its relative content can indirectly reflect the collagen content in the skin and the degree of dermal aging.

Studies have shown that many traditional Chinese herbs can not only scavenge free radicals, but also have collagen repair capabilities. Poria extract can increase the content of hydroxyproline and inhibit the cross-linking of collagen molecules; the formula of Polygonatum sibiricum and Lycium barbarum can effectively increase the content of hydroxyproline and promote the reproduction of fibroblasts; the active ingredients of salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid C contained in Salvia miltiorrhiza can enhance the activity of SOD, increase the content of hydroxyproline and improve skin elasticity.

4. Immunomodulation

The epidermis of the skin is a natural line of defense against antigen invasion. The outermost layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, and below it is the lipid bilayer. As we age, many immune responses decline. When the immune system is not functioning properly, it can negatively impact collagen and elastin, slowing wound healing.

Among traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Schisandra chinensis extract can increase the activity of macrophages and enhance the effect of SOD; the main active ingredient of Panax notoginseng is saponin, which not only has a strong free radical scavenging ability but also can regulate the skin's immunity. In addition, dodder extract improves the body's immunity by increasing the synthesis of interleukin-2.

5. Promote skin microcirculation

The skin's microcirculation helps to efficiently supply nutrients to the skin, support cell metabolism, and regulate body temperature, which is very important for skin care and delaying skin aging.

Salvia miltiorrhiza extract can improve blood circulation in skin capillaries; Angelica sinensis and Bletilla striata extracts contain flavonoids, which are not only powerful antioxidants but also effectively improve blood circulation, thereby delaying skin aging.

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