Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skin care routine.
Take The Skin Quiz
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants used in herbal medicine, named thus because they adapt to the body’s needs. These herbs can help with skin inflammation caused by acne, reduce the damaging effects of pollution, make your skin less prone to sun damage, and combat the effects of stress on your skin. Some examples of well-known adaptogens include ashwagandha, aloe vera, ginseng, rosemary, and holy basil.
Adaptogens are great ingredients for combatting acne, redness, inflammation and fighting the effects of aging.
Many adaptogens have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce skin irritation, rashes, and the appearance of acne and rosacea.
Adaptogens are also good for slowing the visual effects of aging on your skin. Siberian Ginseng and eleuthero, for instance, is an antioxidant that can delay the aging process of skin by preventing free-radical damage. Angelica, another adaptogenic substance, can have estrogen-like effects on skin, retaining moisture and keeping skin plump and healthy. This will also reduce the appearance of creases and wrinkles in the face and neck.
Adaptogens sometimes have mild side effects, such as nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and allergies. Their effects tend to be quite mild. So if you need quick results, or if you don’t form a routine and keep at it, you may not get the desired outcome.
A scar can form anywhere the skin is broken deeply enough to damage surrounding skin cells. With acne, most superficial blemishes will heal cleanly, leaving no visible evidence of prior breakouts. However, in the case of cystic acne, when a clogged pore leads to infection that travels deep into the dermis, ruptured cysts can break the follicle wall and cause the infection to damage surrounding skin cells. Collagen helps to repair the damage but leaves the skin more firm and tight than the rest of your skin. Some types of acne scarring leave a concave shape, called a pockmark. Contrary to some belief, not all acne scars are caused by picking or popping your blemishes. Some occur even if the acne is allowed to heal without picking.
To prevent sun damage from making acne scars more visible, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like acai oil, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, caffeine, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing acne scarring. Jojoba oil is also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin.
adaptogen may be effective for acne scars, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
Next: Does apple cider vinegar work on bumpy skin ?