Green Tea
Benefits: Sun protection, anti-aging. The connection between drinking green tea and improved health has been suggested for years, but it may also help to use the plant on the skin. "Green tea has good results in terms of photoprotection and anti-aging benefits," says Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in Montclair, NJ. The polyphenols in green tea have antioxidant properties as well as soothing abilities that help treat sun-damaged skin and offer a way to address the signs of sun damage, she says.
Shea Butter
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, itch relief. Derived from the nut of a shea tree, shea butter is an ingredient in many moisturizers. "It seems to hydrate skin effectively because it's loaded with fatty acids". These nutrients have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. She says shea butter might be most useful for treating and soothing eczema. Clinical studies using shea butter as a treatment for eczema in children showed less itching within 4 weeks, and another study with adults showed improvement in 2 weeks. Another plus of the natural moisturizer: Shea butter doesn't seem to cause skin allergies often, which makes it right even for the most sensitive skin types.
Jojoba Oil
As popular as face oils have become, the concept can still be off-putting to some. But jojoba oil is one of the best skincare oils of the bunch. Derived from a nut-like pod of a plant, jojoba oil is biomimetic, meaning it acts like the oil naturally found in skin. “It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, is moisturizing, and also soothing to dry, irritated, skin,” Translation: There’s no need to worry about breakouts. Jojoba oil contains vitamin E as well, which means it may have some antioxidant properties. Bonus: It works equally well to hydrate your hair and scalp.
DMAE and your Skin
Numerous studies have shown that topical application of DMAE increases the appearance of firmness, tone and lift to the skin. DMAE also improves the appearance of skin elasticity and luminosity, helping to decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening skin's appearance and evening out imperfections. Many scientists and researchers in the field of dermatology are studying this remarkable nutrient, and their exciting findings validate what has been known for decades—DMAE has a unique, important role as a safe and effective strategy to help address the appearance of aging skin.
