Thursday, February 14, 2008

Natural Skin Care Enhanced Inside and Out with Grape Seed Extract

By: Gloria MacTaggart

Until just a few years ago, Vitamins C, E and Betacarotene were known to be the most powerful antioxidants on the market. However, a new product has taken their place - the grape seed. Although especially effective for dry skin, grape seed extract will benefit any skin type and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Products containing grape seed oil and extract may replace many of your current skin care remedies and give you a chance to switch to natural skin care.

Research on the grape seed began when scientists decided to investigate the reason behind the lower incidence of heart disease in France. The country's traditional diet of rich foods and other lifestyle factors certainly did not align with what they knew to be heart-healthy requirements. Their research isolated the antioxidant content in red wine as the beneficial element and soon doctors all over the world began recommending a daily glass of red wine for cardiovascular health. The antioxidants scientists found are oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC), 20 times more potent than Vitamin C and 50 times stronger than Vitamin E.

As antioxidants fight free radicals, now known as a primary accelerant to the ageing process, grade seed extract of course became a major ingredient in many natural skin care products. It is now available as grape seed oil and extract, which can be purchased in its pure form for internal or topical use or as one of the ingredients in several cleansers, toners, astringents and masques found on the skin care product shelves of health food stores. You may also be able to find it in pharmacies that have a special section for natural skin care products.

Grape seed cleansers are especially good natural skin care products for those with problem or dry skin. The extract's antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties clean without the need for harsh cleansers; they help slough off dead skin cells and leave your skin soft and supple. Grape seed oil directly applied will also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

One of the basic elements of good skin is good health. Taken internally, grape seed extract will not only improve your cardiovascular and gastric health, it will also help your problem or dry skin from the inside out. Applied topically, you will see even more direct benefits. You should check with your dermatologist to see if it would be appropriate to add grape seed extract to your list of dietary supplements, but topical preparations are safe under any circumstance and a real must for your basic natural skin care routine.

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for The National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit http://www.skincarenet.org

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