Cosmetics & Toiletries reported on September 1 that researchers studying the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of 23 plant extracts from 21 plant species found that white tea, along with 11 other plants studied, exhibited high or satisfactory effectiveness in inhibiting two enzymes that contribute to the aging of our skin. Nine of the 11 extracts inhibited both of the enzymes studied.The nine plant extracts with activities against these enzymes, elastase (which breaks down elastin) and collagenase (which attacks collagen), included white tea, bladderwrack, cleavers, rose tincture, green tea, rose aqueous, angelica, anise, and pomegranate. White tea inhibited both enzymes the most.
The article is pretty technical, but here's the bottom line. The researchers concluded that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation and wrinkles. Neal's Yard, which specializes in organic skin and body care and was a study collaborator, plans to use this information to select effective anti-aging ingredients for its natural skin care lines.
This isn't the first study that has found white tea to be beneficial to skin. In 2003, another study found that the ingredients in white tea are effective in boosting the immune function of skin cells and protecting them against the damaging effects of the sun.
Who makes products with white tea? Origins offers the well-regarded A Perfect World moisturizer for face ($35), and the new Nivea My Silhouette for body ($15.99) contains white tea and anise. Origins products are available at Origins online, Beauty.com, Amazon, some department stores, and Target. The Nivea product is available at CVS and other drugstores.
This is good news for anyone who loves organic skin care products!
Photo courtesy of Cosmetics & Toiletries.
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