The arsenal in the quest for brighter skin - Part 1

Lavender Oil + Niacinamide:

Lavender oil is an essential oil derived from the lavender plant. It can be taken orally, applied to the skin, and breathed in through aromatherapy. It has the ability to lessen acne, help lighten skin, and reduce wrinkles. Niacinamide is one of the two forms of vitamin B3, regulates the oil production of the skin and the other known as niacin. Niacinamide is found in many foods including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and cereal grains. Niacinamide is also found in many vitamin B complex supplements with other B vitamins. It treats skin conditions such as acne, dry/itchy skin, and other skin conditions. It is water-soluble and is well-absorbed.

 

Benefits:

1. Acne: Research shows that taking tablets containing niacinamide and other ingredients for 8 weeks improves skin appearance in people with acne. Other research shows that applying a cream containing niacinamide improves the appearance of skin in people with acne. It unclogs pores and reduces inflammation when you put it on your skin.
2. Skin Cancer: Taking niacinamide seems to help prevent new skin cancer or precancerous spots (actinic keratosis) from forming in people with a history of skin cancer or actinic keratosis. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages the DNA of your cells over time. Taking niacinamide supplements has shown to enhance DNA repair in the UV damaged skin.
3. Aging skin: Early research shows that taking niacinamide, vitamin E, and lutein for almost a year improves how well the retina works in people with age-related vision loss due to retinal damage.
4. Dark patches on the skin: Research shows that applying a moisturizer containing 2-5% niacinamide helps to lighten the dark patches of the skin. Lavender oil can aid in skin lightening since it reduces inflammation. It can reduce discoloration, including dark spots. Lavender oil helps lessen blotchiness and redness.
5. Redness on the face (rosacea). Early research shows that taking tablets containing niacinamide and other ingredients for 8 weeks improves skin appearance in people with rosacea. The lavender oil helps cleanse your skin and lessen redness and irritation.
6. Keeps the skin smooth: Applying Niacinamide containing products makes the skin smoother and reduces the overall size of pores on the skin.
7. Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles: Moisturising the skin makes the wrinkles go away and makes the skin plumper. Lavender oil is full of antioxidants, which help protect you from free radicals.
8. Protects against oxidative stress. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
9. Anti-inflammatory ability : The oil’s pain-relieving and numbing effects help soothe the inflammation, while the beta-caryophyllene in the oil also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.

 

What kind of Niacinamide products should you use?

The overall concentration of niacinamide should be less than 5% in the product. One of the main reasons for this is that research has proven 5% formulas to be quite effective from hyperpigmentation and damage related to sun exposure. If you have sensitive skin, it is suggested that you use products that contain less that 2% niacinamide. Niacinamide may be listed as “niacin” and “nicotinamide” on product labels.

 

Side effects of Niacinamide:

It is generally safe to use but people who have pre-existing allergies are more likely to experience allergic reactions. You can do a test. Follow the steps below:

1. Apply a small amount on your forearm where it is not easily visible.
2. Wait for a period of 24-36 hours
3. If you have any signs of itchiness, redness, swelling, wash the area with warm water and discontinue the use of the product.
4. If there aren’t any of the following signs, you are safe to apply it anywhere else on your skin.

 

The Timeline:

It will take a minimum of 4 weeks to show significant effects, although there isn’t an exact time limit. You may see changes on your skin after 8 weeks such as a smoother, toned and hydrated skin.

 

The final verdict:

If used on a daily basis, niacinamide and lavender oil might have a positive impact on your overall skin. It can reduce hyperpigmentation, smoothen and brighten the skin. Its important to be patient as it takes weeks to show any effects and stick to your skin routine. You should not take niacinamide supplements unless your doctor or other healthcare provider prescribes them to treat a B-3 deficiency or other underlying condition. Lavender oil has many uses for treating the skin. It naturally reduces inflammation, lessens pain, and cleans the surface of the skin. You can use lavender oil on your face, legs, and hands.

Chamomile:

Chamomile has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, commonly as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and a mild astringent. Due to these properties, chamomile is an excellent choice to reduce the appearance of blemishes. By applying to the skin immediately upon the first sign of a spot, chamomile can reduce bacteria, helping to prevent the blemish from growing, as well as reduce any inflammation, helping to improve any swelling. Additionally, chamomile has been found to have lightening properties. Combined with its anti-inflammatory effects, it can be used to help improve the look of long-standing acne scars, as well as newer bumps. A gentle mist of this all over the complexion helps to even out the look of skin tone and hydrate the skin.

 

Benefits:

1. Fight free radicals: Free radicals are the biggest contributors to visible signs of aging and easier terms to understand, free radicals form in our DNA from extrinsic damage such as radiation, poor nutrition – and especially UV exposure. This goes on to damage our DNA which can cause aging that shows in the skin. Science suggests that not only do sun protection and lifestyle changes decrease the production of free radicals, but that antioxidants, both those consumed and applied topically, can assist as well. Chamomile is a great source of antioxidants, and can easily be ingested or applied to the skin. Using chamomile will up your antioxidant intake, helping battle the look of damage caused by free radicals.
2. Calm skin irritations: Whether you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or just general sensitivities, adding chamomile to your skincare routine is a great option. Itching is often caused by inflammation of the skin, either due to environmental factors (such as a change in the season) or a reaction (such as a bug bite). Since chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can offer general relief to tame the itchy symptoms from these flare-ups. These calming properties can also be used to help improve the pain and redness from sunburn.
3. Reduce Undereye Circles: One of the main reasons to use chamomile is its natural skin-lightening properties that come into play to combat those dark half-moons under your eyes. At the same time, its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce any under-eye swelling.
4. Helps clear acne: One of the most popular uses of chamomile in today’s skincare world is using it to help combat acne and its side effects. t helps relieve acne because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties coming from α-bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. The compound α-bisabolol has been found to have positive therapeutic effects in significantly reducing skin inflammation when applied to the skin.
5. Lightens discoloration: Skin lightening remains one of the most popular chamomile benefits for the skin. It contains flavonoids that pose an important role in significantly reducing the activity of melanin (responsible for skin color). Flavonoids are vital components found in chamomile.
6. Promotes Youthful Looking skin: Chamomile benefits for skin also include reducing signs of premature aging such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and freckles. These kinds of signs appear when the skin is frequently exposed to harmful environmental elements such as ultraviolet rays, pollution, smoking, and others. It contains antioxidants that are essential to fighting the negative, oxidizing effects of the above-mentioned environmental elements and free radicals.

 

The final verdict:

Considering the various scientifically proven chamomile benefits for skin, it is not surprising that both medical and skin care industries are producing various products with this plant extract as the main or complementary ingredient. The countless chamomile benefits for skin are evidence of how it can help improve the lives of many and how this remarkable plant is one of nature’s most precious gifts. Therefore adding this to your skincare routine will make a huge difference on your skin

 

Licorice:

Licorice is an ingredient naturally obtained from roots. Licorice is the root of a plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra, a legume related to beans and peas that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia including India. It likes well-drained soils with full sun and is harvested about two-three years after planting. he secret to reaping the sought-after health benefits lies within the plant’s room. The licorice root extract is removed from the plant and melted through a boiling process that absorbs much of the water. The two important parts extracted from the root are Glycyrrhizin acid, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar and gives Liquorice it’s notable flavor, and Glabridin, which hosts a ton of medicinal purposes, like helping treat hepatitis, stomach ulcers and congestion. Together, these enzymes combine to form a super syrup or powder that’s also great for natural skincare.

 

Benefits:

1. Brightens the skin: Liquorice can restore the skin to a lighter color when applied daily to the darkened area. Licorice is an exciting all-natural treatment option that offers a brilliant alternative for those looking to avoid putting a chemical on their skin. If you are suffering from melasma (known as the mask of pregnancy), it’s a great natural remedy to help lighten the skin after delivery.
2. Hides damaged by the sun: Applying Liquorice in topical form can help bring your skin to a smooth, lighter tone thanks to the Glabridin that stops the skin from darkening after sun exposure. And since sun damage is a primary cause of discoloration of the skin, Liquorice also contains UV blocking enzymes that help protect you from future damage.
3. Removes dark scars and `wrinkles: Scars usually take years to heal and match your natural skin tone. Licorice helps to speed up the process by blocking the melanin production and evening out the skin tone of dark scars. Licorice is also full of antioxidants that help block free radicals and keep your skin from aging prematurely.
4. Anti-inflammatory: Allergies disrupt the skin and leave behind itchy skin, swollen and spots. The Glycyrrhizin found in Liquorice is helpful in relieving redness and swelling in the exact same way that hydrocortisone helps soothe the pain.
5. Tightens the skin: Liquorice helps regenerate elastin and collagen for skin that’s smooth to the touch and stretches easily. It also contains amino acids, which have long been known to help moisturize and rehydrate the skin.
6. Treats acne and redness: As acne is caused by the excessive production of oil from the sebaceous glands, licorice helps control oil production and will also help reduce the redness.