6 posts tagged "Antioxidant"
Regeneration USA Raises The Bar
With food-grade ingredients becoming increasingly popular in skincare products, it was only a matter of time before the tables turned and skincare started to appear in food form. Sure, there was the edible nutraceutical craze a few years back, but Regeneration USA has combined the concept of food for your face with the unflaggingly popular idea of a meal-in-a-bar to develop two new organic treats that fight the visual effects of aging. Coming in Original and Cocoa flavor, each Regeneration whole-food bar uses high levels of anti-inflammatory nutrients such as vitamin C ester and omega-3, 6, and 9 derived from antioxidant foods like açai and gogi berries, cacao nibs, mangosteen, pomegranates, walnuts, and almonds. Dubbed “functional food,” the super-dense, nut-studded bars are also organic, sugar-free, and only 220 calories—so if anything, they offer a tasty alternative for those of you trying to ween yourselves off of Clif and Luna varieties in light of that recent salmonella incident.
Shiso Pretty! Here’s Why
SHISO/(Shee-Soh)/n./ 1. An ancient, green-leafed Japanese medicinal plant typically used in a variety of Asian cuisines and commonly called Aoshiso, or Perilla, as it is known in North America; /n./ 2. A popular garnish for sushi; /n./ 3. A potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergenic agent that can brighten skin by fending off free radicals and enhancing collagen production, e.g., “A chic, exotic spice akin to basil or mint, shiso’s real kick is its ability to increase skin radiance and promote smooth texture.”
Try It: Zelens Radical Defense Serum, $200, www.zelens.com
Cocoa’s Sweet Sensations
COCOA BEANS/(koh-koh beenz)/n./ 1. The seeds from the pineapple-sized fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree, indigenous to equatorial regions, particularly South America, Africa, and Indonesia; /n./ 2. A known antioxidant, cocoa beans also consist of almost 50 percent cocoa butter, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin; /n./ 3. High in anandamide, a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the brain that induces euphoria and relaxes muscles, cocoa beans are also thought to generate certain “feel-good” effects, e.g., “Boasting ultra-moisturizing and relaxing properties for your skin and your senses, cocoa beans make it A-OK to give in to your chocolate cravings.”
Try it: Laura Mercier Chocolate Truffle Soufflé Body Crème, $55, www.lauramercier.com.
Younger Looking Skin, A Stone’s Throw Away
MALACHITE/ (mal-uh-kahyt)/ n./ 1.A semi-precious green stone;/ n./ 2. Billed as a powerful antioxidant, malachite’s high levels of copper also give it the reported ability to increase collagen and elastin levels in the skin, e.g., “Turquoise and jade might keep you in fashion, but only malachite will keep your skin radiant—and your friends green with envy.”
Try it: Banana Republic Malachite Body Cream, $28, www.bananarepublic.com
Photo: Ken Lucas / Getty Images
New Antioxidant Fights Fire With Fire
ASTAXANTHIN/(az-tax-ahn-thin)/n./ 1. An antioxidant extracted from marine microalgae in the hot lava fields of Hawaii; /n./ 2. Five hundred times more effective than vitamin E, astaxanthin protects and heals skin affected by sun damage and irritation caused by chemical peels and other harsh facial treatments, e.g., “No need to clear your social calendar after your next medi-spa appointment. Regular application of an astaxanthin-based serum will make post-op public appearances completely painless.”
Try it: Esenté Red Volcanic Seaweed Complex, $68, www.esente.com.
Photo: Getty Images