It was interesting to read
the richness of tea in BBC article by Theodora Sutcliffe yesterday. In 2002, a wealthy purchaser paid 180,000
yuan – almost $28,000 – for just 20g of China's legendary Da Hong Pao tea. The
original Da Hong Pao doesn't just cost its weight in gold – it costs more than
30 times its weight in gold: almost $1,400 for a single gram, or well over
$10,000 for a pot. It’s one of the most expensive teas in the world.
In another very informative
piece in Huffington Post by Beauty Editor, Dana Oliver, benefits from tea for
skin through natural cosmetics and skin care formulations have been well
described.
Tea
contains several of the most potent and protective antioxidant vitamins and
phytochemicals and tea extracts have been used for centuries to
improve the health and appearance of skin and hair. Modern scientific studies continue to
highlight their anti-aging and health-promoting effects, and show antioxidant,
anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits of tea. When combined
with other ingredients beauty formulations, tea helps to enhance their effects,
a synergy that helps improve skin’s appearance, texture, and function. Frequent
exfoliation allows active tea constituents to better penetrate the skin with
most beneficial exfoliating agents alpha-hydroxy.
Carotenoids in tea are potent
fat-soluble antioxidants that help quench free radicals generated by
ultraviolet rays. In addition to vitamin antioxidants and carotenoids, tea also
contains 25-30% flavonoids, which include water-soluble plant pigments known as
polyphenols. The major polyphenol in tea is epigallocatechin-3 gallate, or
EGCG. Oral and topical use of tea and EGCG helps to inhibit inflammation and
oxidative stress, and may help to prevent photoaging and cancers of the skin. The
combination of these natural antioxidants improves skin health, giving it a
smoother, brighter and healthier look.
It has also been found that tea is a
potent inducer of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that quenches excess
superoxide radicals and other reactive oxygen species. Among elderly persons,
the amount of SOD in normal skin diminishes and is incapable of adequately
neutralizing large amounts of reactive oxygen species. Because of environmental
and other pollutants (sunlight, smoking diet) contributing to the generation of
reactive oxygen species, it is most critical to optimize SOD levels through the
use of tea and other flavonoids.
In combination with topical tea,
natural fruit acids called alpha-hydroxy acids rejuvenate the skin by
encouraging the shedding of old, sun-damaged cells on the skin’s surface.32-35
Alpha-hydroxy acids loosen the glue-like substances that bind skin surface
cells to each other, allowing the dead skin to peel off and the skin underneath
to emerge. This underlying skin has a fresher, healthier look, with a more even
color and texture. Exfoliation with alpha-hydroxy acids allows topical
antioxidant agents, such as tea, to affect the newly exposed cells to greatest
benefit.
For optimal effects, frequent use of
topical products containing tea in combination with exfoliating agents is
recommended. Eating a diet rich in flavonoids such as those found in brightly
colored fruits and vegetables helps promote and preserve skin’s health and
beauty.
The
extracts of buds and leaves of tea make very effective ingredient in natural
organic beauty products. Green teas have the highest concentration of
antioxidant properties (polyphenol and flavonoid) and have anti-carcinogenic
and anti-mutagenic properties which provide excellent skin nourishment.
After testing with different ingredients, Herbally Radiant
found excellent anti-aging properties of green tea extracts. Its most popular
top of the range products: Rejuvenating and Radiant, also contain a combination of essential oils
that work in tandem with tea extracts to create an amazing rejuvenated and
radiant facial skin. These formulations have been very popular with customers
who have experienced reduction in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The Rejuvenating and Radiant
Cleansers have been specially launched by Herbally Radiant to help eliminate
gently all impurities, including make-up marks, without stripping skin of its
natural oils. This helps skin to absorb rich nutrients from specially prepared
serums and moisturizers. The net result
is a fine rejuvenated bright skin with youthful appearance.