Age - Defying Therapy Toner - 100ml - Aubrey Organics

SEA BUCKTHORN

Seabuckthorn can be used for everything from acne & wrinkles to constipation & weight loss!

These plants thrive in harsh mountain conditions and as such have been consumed in Mongolia, China and Tibet both as a nutrient dense treat, and for its medicinal properties. The bright orange berries of the Seabuckthorn plant, only 1/3 the size of a blueberry, are both tart and bitter to taste and packed with antioxidants.
Seabuckthorn is rich in Vitamins & Omega's
A rich source of vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene, as well as carotenoids and phenolics, such as catechins, gallocatechins and epigallocatechins.

Seabuckthorn oil is also a source of Omega 3, 6, and 9, as well as the lesser known omega 7 fatty acids (40% of Seabuckthorn oil is omega 7 fatty acids), vital to collagen production. Palmetoleic acid, (Omega 7), is a common constituent of adipose tissue as well as a component of skin. It is considered a monounsaturated fat, thought to be high in antioxidants. Having an affinity for the skin, as well as an antioxidant component, it can provide some protection from sun damage, and when applied topically has been shown to increase triglyceride concentration in the lipid barrier of the skin, effectively increasing the protective nature of the stratum corneum. It is said to decrease as we age, potentially making both internal and topical use more important the older we get. It can be used for a variety of skin related issues, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), for the treatment of burns, ulcerations and infections and/or simply everyday use.

Omega 7
Due to the effects that Omega 7 fatty acid has on the stratum cornea of the skin, it have been reported to be beneficial in the prevention of fine lines and wrinkles, often called an antiageing agent. There is some research to suggest this fatty acid may have antibacterial properties, as well, explaining why individuals use it both internally and topically for the treatment of acne. Omega 7 oils also have an affinity for the mucous membranes of the body, particularly those lining the urogenital and digestive tracts. This is one way in which the juice of the Seabuckthorn berries are said to aid in the prevention and treatment of constipation. They keep the intestinal tract healthy by keeping it moist and mucous secreting, allowing for better absorption of nutrients and healthy flow of wastes.

What you can expect from Seabuckthorn:
Most of the research on Seabuckthorn to date has been shown to be inconclusive. That being said, with further support, there may be evidence to suggest a wide number of health benefits associated with its use:

Skin irritations (such as burns and atopic dermatitis)
Gastric ulcer
Cardiovascular disease and various inflammatory conditions
Liver health and protection/prevention of cirrhosis
Weight loss
Acne
Wrinkles
Free radical protection
Eczema
Common colds & even pneumonia!

Seabuckthorn has been suggested to benefit all of these conditions and more. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) , Seabuckthorn juice and oil is commonly used as an expectorant and demulcent for coughs. Recently, animal studies have suggested it also has adaptogenic properties. The oil is often used topically in creams and acne remedies, as it is known to calm acne, help soothe and restore skin, prevent wrinkles, and leave the skin moisturized and protected from free radical damage.

SKINCARE FOR AGING SKIN

If you treat your skin well, then you can stay looking young for much longer!

Although aging is inevitable, the number of years we have lived doesn't have to show on our face ...

What makes skin age?
Aging as a physical process is often quite independent of our chronological age. Two people of the same age may have considerably different physical effects from the passage of time. This physical aging of the body and its cells is known in the scientific community as senescence. In the simplest of terms, senescence is a progressive loss of the ability of our cells to respond to stress and maintain homeostatic balance.
When enough stressors happen, the cell cannot sufficiently respond to maintain homeostasis, and will succumb and die. Our ability to resist the different sources of damage and to replace any dying cells is the key to maintaining a youthful appearance. The most common stressors affecting the cells of our skin are free radicals, dehydration, and lack of sufficient nutrients and protein.

Free Radical Damage
The number one cause of damage to our cells is exposure to free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules with an unpaired electron that are extremely reactive, and damage surrounding cell membranes, fats, and fatsoluble vitamins and nutrients. We encounter free radicals through environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, processed foods, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun (UV rays). The damage caused by free radicals can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells. All of these negative effects add up to increased fine lines and wrinkles. Because of this, it is important to reduce your exposure to these damaging substances by using natural products and avoiding environmental exposures. If you smoke, it is important to quit as soon as possible. Wear sunscreen on a regular basis, and maintain a diet rich in skinboosting nutrients and antioxidants. For more information, please see our Skin Health article.

Antioxidants
To help neutralize the effects of those free radicals that you cannot avoid, ensure your diet is rich in as many antioxidants as possible. There are superpacked antioxidant rich foods like Superfruits, and Matcha that can easily be incorporated to your everyday diet to help protect the skin from the inside, out. Vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are also excellent antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage. They can be incorporated into the diet or applied to the skin directly to help prevent aging. Coenzyme Q10 and Green Tea Extract are both extremely strong antioxidants that are frequently incorporated into skincare formulas to help prevent the visible signs of aging. For more information on many more natural sources, please see our Antioxidants article.

Skin Moisture and Hydration
One extremely easy way to help maintain healthy, youthful looking skin is simply to keep your skin well hydrated. The collagen matrix that makes up the tissues just beneath the skin is kept plump and plush by holding water. When we become dehydrated, this water disappears and fine lines and wrinkles appear deeper and more severe. The skin also then begins to look sallow and sag. Dehydration can be easily prevented by drinking at least 8 cups of water daily (2 litres). For more information on ways to stay hydrated beyond just drinking water, please see our Electrolytes article. To help support a healthy collagen structure underlying the skin, and thus to plump out wrinkles, many antiaging products will contain Collagen, or Hyaluronic Acid.

Skin Elasticity and Fats
The membranes that form the outer layer of each cell of our bodies, and thus each cell of our skin are made up of phospholipids. Phospholipids are molecules made up of a fat and watersoluble molecule bound together. How flexible and soft our cells become is determined by the fats found in our cell membranes. Because our body manufactures phospholipids from the fats in our diet, it is essential that we take in soft and fluid fats like Omega 369 Fats, while avoiding the stiff and rigid saturated fats. In this sense, when it comes to fats, we literally are what we eat! How do you want your skin to be?

Oils and Maintaining Hydration
In addition to moisturizing from the inside out, it is important to help the skin maintain its own moisture balance. Unprotected skin quickly loses moisture when exposed to heat, sunlight, and dry weather conditions. In the summer, it is often sun damage that causes the most problems, while in the winter it is the dry, artificially heated, indoor air. One simple way to seal moisture into the skin is to use protective oils topically. Each person will swear by some different combination of natural oils for protecting moisture content in the skin, but most often it is a matter of finding what works best for your particular skin type. Some examples of common skin moisturizing oils are: Jojoba Oil, Seabuckthorn Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, Almond Oil, Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip Oil), and Olive Oil. The degree that each absorbs into the skin and moisturizes is slightly different, and some may last longer than others as well. Shorter lasting oils should be applied several times a day, while longer lasting ones can be used once or twice daily. Aloe Vera is also commonly used as a skin moisturizer, although it is faster acting and will not have the longterm protection provided by oils. Please see the individual articles on each moisturizer for more information.