How is ashwagandha being used in skincare?
Today, ashwagandha is considered a skincare hero on the cosmetic battlefield. Ashwagandha has been popular for ages but primarily for use in dietary supplements and functional foods. Now, this ayurvedic herb is rated high in the skincare competition and we’re going to explore its potential use for skin and how it can prevent you from aging.
There are reasons why your laptops need to be taken out at the airport security
The laptop structure is very complex, without removing the case, it’s difficult for the X-ray machine to see what components are behind them. A knife or bomb, for example, might slip through the scanner if it were hidden underneath a laptop or an iPad.
Basically, you are prohibited from carrying dangerous weapons or any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage because they are deemed to be a threat on a plane.
Things that we consider harmless can suddenly become dangerous.
Although living in modern life is very convenient compared to the ancient one, it can have so many bad effects on physical and mental health. And unsurprisingly, it will also affect your skin.
As much as we try to stay away from busy roads and pollution with its radical damage, it’s a bit impossible to be separated from our electronic gadgets and their convenience when you’re living in a big city.
We use our smartphones, tablets, and computers diligently without realizing that the emittance of blue light can do harm to our bodies and skin.
It’s not just these blue wavelengths that can do potential damage.
Other hidden stress factors such as scattershot sleep schedules, unhealthy diets, or even invisible pollution pose a threat to health and become potential contributors to skin stress. This is where the role of adaptogens is important. But wait a minute, what is an adaptogen?
It sounds like a Crypto name
But adaptogens are actually plants, they are usually in the form of herbs or mushrooms and have been widely used by herbalists for the treatment of general depression because of their potential health and fitness benefits.
They are known for helping to strengthen the body’s internal system, so our body can fight against the damaging effects of stress, improve vitality, stabilize mood, and increase focus.
Adaptogens are usually sold as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders that you can add to food. The term adaptogen has been quite popular for more than 15 years already. There are a number of plants that possess adaptogenic activity.
But Ashwagandha has made this term popular.
Ashwagandha (also called Indian ginseng) is a small shrub that is native to India and Southeast Asia. Because it is known as one of the most important herbs in India, Ashwagandha has naturally become part of India’s traditional medicine system Ayurveda.
The plant roots and leaves are commonly used in the form of powder or extract to treat many conditions such as stress and anxiety, fertility issues, blood sugar, and even mental health.
Ashwagandha’s power is more famous for reducing stress
Traditionally used as an adaptogen, Ashwagandha is the most well-known ingredient to treat conditions related to stress. Many studies already indicated that besides acting as mood support, Ashwagandha also has the benefit of improving sleep quality, which is a top concern among busy people these days.
For most people, the use of Ashwagahda is mainly known for internal usage only. It’s commonly used as a herbal supplement, supporting the body from the inside to adjust to various stresses, whether it’s physical, chemical, or biological.
Theoretically, the adaptogens inside Ashwagandha will stimulate the body’s stress protection response and help its system return to a balanced level called homeostasis.
And living life indeed stressful
Chronic stress can negatively have various impacts on the body whether it’s internal, or external like skin. Stress can disrupt the natural balance of collagen and elastin production in the skin, leading to various skin problems such as wrinkles, fine lines, and even sagging skin. Excessive cortisol, the stress hormone, can lead to the deterioration of collagen and elastin in the skin.
And it doesn’t stop there, stress can also cause inflammation, which can exacerbate skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Managing stress levels is therefore important for maintaining healthy skin.
You simply cannot escape from stress.
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it’s important to remember that not all stress is bad. In fact, some level of stress can be beneficial, motivating us to take action and perform at our best.
However, chronic or excessive stress can have negative effects on our physical and mental health, including our skin. Finding healthy ways to manage stress and prevent it from becoming overwhelming has also become part of life for maintaining overall well-being.
So it came as no surprise that many people practice relaxation techniques, do regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed.
There is another way to potentially manage stress and its effects on the skin.
And that is by incorporating adaptogens into your diet… and also your skincare routine. Skin is the outer layer of the body, so it wouldn’t be surprising if giving good treatment to the outer layer of skin is as important as treating it from the inside.
Adaptogens are natural substances that can help the body adapt to and cope with stress, potentially reducing its negative impact on the skin and other bodily systems. Examples of adaptogens that are quite popular include ginseng, holy basil, cordyceps, astragalus root, licorice root, Rhodiola, and ashwagandha.
Many people are already familiar with the benefits of ayurvedic herbs, but adaptogenic herbs appear to be another breakthrough. The theory behind adaptogens is to help your body adjust to stress and maintain a balanced state. Ashwagandha with its potential benefits is clearly the best candidate to be applied topically for skin care.
And just like that, Ashwagandha becomes the new superhero in skincare.
This is due to the hidden power that Ashwagaha had long possessed. Stress and its impact on the skin have made the beauty industry is now tapping Aswagandha’s potential uses in topical applications for skincare, especially anti-aging.
Stress has its own impact on the skin, and it is shown in the form of fine lines or wrinkles either on the face or the body. The beauty industry will expand massively in the future due to the rise of beauty consciousness and the aging population. The anti-wrinkle segment will definitely dominate the anti-aging market, and this is where manufacturers need to capitalize on the potential benefits of Ashwagandha in topical applications for skincare.
Ashwagandha in skincare is not a new concept.
Ayurvedic practitioners have been using this herb for centuries to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Ashwagandha has also already been used in most skincare products. One of the key benefits of ashwagandha for the skin is its ability to reduce inflammation.
Inflammation is a common underlying factor in many skin conditions and is considered to be one of the reactions of the immune system. Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe and calm the skin.
Another benefit of ashwagandha for the skin is its antioxidant content. These antioxidants inside ashwagandha help to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage the skin and accelerate the aging process. Because of this power of protecting the skin from free radical damage, ashwagandha can help to prevent signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
Ashwagandha is traditionally used as an anti-aging agent.
The beauty power of ashwagandha is also known for its ability to boost skin-enriching compounds such as hyaluronan, elastin, and collagen. Collagen is a protein that is essential for healthy, youthful-looking skin, but as we age the production naturally declines. The superhero Ashwagandha helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness simply by increasing this collagen production so it gives the skin a more youthful and glowing appearance
Overall, Ashwagandha has many potential benefits for the skin and is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in skincare products. Whether you’re looking to soothe sensitive skin, prevent signs of aging, or improve overall skin health, Ashwagandha may be a useful addition to your skincare routine.
The efficacy will be more in products that could stay longer on the skin so the ingredients can be fully absorbed into the skin layers to help soothe and relieve stress.. Serums and creams are ideal product formulations for maximizing the efficacy of ashwagandha on the skin.
Serums are typically lightweight and penetrate deeply into the skin, allowing for optimal absorption of the beneficial compounds in Ashwagandha. Creams, on the other hand, provide a longer-lasting barrier that helps to lock in moisture and nutrients, which can further enhance the benefits of Ashwagandha.
But still, we need to investigate further.
While Ashwagandha is generally considered safe and well-tolerated by most people, there is evidence suggesting that some people may experience allergies due to using Ashwagandha, even in topical applications such as skincare. This reaction might show in many allergic forms like skin rashes, itchiness, difficulty in breathing, and inflammation.
People allergic to nightshade plants that contain different types of alkaloid compounds may also be allergic to Ashwagandha. As promising as this new but old player may sound, the disadvantage still needs to be investigated further.
So let’s wrap these things up, shall we?
We know that adaptogens are natural substances, which support the body’s resistance to stress, whether it is emotional, biological, physical, or environmental. Ashwagandha which has been long known in the world of Ayurveda is one of the most popular adaptogens.
From traditional herbs that are used in many medical recipes for treating many stress and anxiety conditions, such as stress, anxiety, fertility issues, and mental health, it has turned into modern-day supplements and now even skincare products.
Ashwagandha stimulates the body’s stress protection response and helps its system return to a balanced level called homeostasis. Stress itself can negatively impact the skin, causing inflammation and exacerbating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Incorporating adaptogens into a diet and skincare routine can help reduce the negative impact of stress on the skin. Therefore, using Ashwagandha as part of everyday skincare can potentially experience greater skin nourishment and promote relaxation. Of course, this finally will lead to a healthier and more radiant complexion.
Let’s put it this way, now your carry-on baggage is free from any sharp object that might be a threat on a plane and finally, you can put your bag into the screening machine with confidence.