What your skin needs and what calendula offers, let's get to it...
Antioxidants are one of THE MOST essential compounds your skin makes and requires for optimal functioning and to age well. These mighty compounds' purpose is to perform the #1 job of your skin, to defend and protect you against the outside world. They do this by breaking down free radicals caused by UV exposure, pollution, and aging. Calendula is a POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT. Flavonoids, saponins, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and 15 different amino acids naturally produced in calendula offer SUPERCHARGED protection.
Beta-carotene and Lutein, both convert into Vitamin A once absorbed by the body, are found in calendula (Chemistry Central Journal). Vitamin A is vital for tissue regeneration and preventing degeneration of the skin. It also encourages healthy skin cell production, slows aging by protecting against UV damage, evens skin tone, smooths wrinkles, and gives your skin a healthy glow. (YES PLEASE!) Vitamin A assists in the healthy promotion of collagen and elastin, meaning firm and radiant skin. AND it supports the skin's immune system. A pretty important nutrient for your skin.
15 Amino Acids have been identified in calendula (Indian National Science Academy). Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins collagen and elastin. Topical collagen molecules are too big to penetrate the skin's barrier, thus affecting only the very top layer of skin. Calendula contains amino acids the skin absorbs and uses to make collagen and elastin molecules, which is an effective and more sustainable way to plump, mend, and build skin.
Flavonoids and Linoleic Acid are plant-based fatty acids that also act as potent anti-inflammatory compounds. They defend the body pro-inflammatory compounds against damage. (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health). Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, meaning your body does not make it, it must be obtained topically or through your diet. Linoleic acid functions to activate natural collagen, plump and hydrate the skin and is vital for proper skin barrier protection. Overall these fatty acids play a critical role in the proper functioning of your skin.
Carotenoids one of the more potent antioxidants calendula contains and they are vital in halting the signs of aging. They also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots and even the visibility of scars by increasing blood flow to the skin. Carotenoids have an extraordinary ability to protect your skin from cellular and oxidative damage. Their anti-bacterial and immune-stimulant properties help treat cuts, wounds, and burns. They can also stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin to increase its density, elasticity, and firmness. Now, who doesn't want that?!
Ceramides are required by the skin to increase the skin barrier defenses and are also highly anti-inflammatory. Calendula has 19 different types of ceramides. These compounds are responsible for the potent anti-inflammatory properties of calendula.
Triterpenoids, also found in calendula flowers, have been shown to reduce pain in inflamed regions of the skin and to effectively treat treats blisters, redness, swelling, and red, patchy skin (Western and Ayurvedic Perspectives).
SO, now you know why I refer to calendula as a powerhouse. And, research is still being done on the external and internal benefits of calendula. It's a pretty exciting time to be working with this mighty plant.
Having seen the results firsthand, coupled with the research results and clinical data, is why I believe in calendula and why I chose to put it front and center in all Zia products.
(Disclaimer: Zia Botanics products are for external use only. Do not ingest.)