The Ultimate Korean Skincare Anti Aging Ingredient: Ginseng
For Centuries, Royalty Used Ginseng As A Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Medicine
Known for thousands of years as a powerful medicinal herb, Ginseng has been used as a cure-all for a wide variety of physical and emotional ailments.
From herbal supplements that improve memory function to energy drinks that claim to boost stamina, the praises of ginseng have been sung for as long as the health industry has been around.
For centuries, royalty used Ginseng as a rejuvenating anti-aging medicine, but today it's available to everyone—and now in your skincare products.
What Is Ginseng
Ginseng is a root plant that grows in shaded, cooler climates and takes nearly six years to fully mature.
Historically, Ginseng was native to Korea, Russia and northeast China where its powerful medicinal benefits were first discovered. Fast forward to today and many species of Ginseng can be found from other regions including North America and Canada.
Ginseng's claim to fame is its ginsenosides—steroid-like compounds that can be found in the leaves, roots and berries of the plant.
The root of ginseng is also used as an adaptogen, a beneficial ingredient that can reportedly help regulate a wide variety of body functions.
Ginseng is reported to boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, alleviate symptoms from menopause and even help manage sexual dysfunction in men.
3 Benefits of Ginseng in Skincare
A majority of active ingredients in skincare benefit the skin by working from the outside.
Ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs and retinoids promote a healthy complexion by increasing skin cell turnover through exfoliation.
Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and plant extracts help even out skin discoloration and protect against future damage from environmental stressors by inhibiting oxidation. Ginseng, however, helps the skin by other means—through the blood.
Ginseng has been shown to boost the circulation of the skin’s smallest blood vessels.
Specifically for the skin, this means an increase in collagen production. By now most of us know the benefits of collagen, the protein that's naturally produced by the body and a fundamental building block of healthy, firm skin.
In addition to collagen, Ginseng can brighten skin that’s dull and dry thanks to its energizing elements that can give your complexion a fresh, dewy glow.
Research has shown that Ginseng extracts can help improve the following skin concerns:
- Helps brighten skin discoloration such as dark spots, age spots and hyperpigmentation
- Helps smooth and firm fine lines and wrinkles by restoring elasticity to the skin
- Helps strengthen the skin barrier and protect the skin against future signs of aging
How to Pick a Ginseng Skin Care Product
Ginseng may be new to the western world of skincare, but it has been a staple for years now in Asia and K-Beauty.
Panax Ginseng extract and Red Ginseng extract can be found in all types of skincare products, including cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers.
Red ginseng is fresh white ginseng that has been steamed and dried using an ancient process that is still used today.
According to research, Red Ginseng has significantly higher biological effects and fewer side effects compared with fresh and White Ginseng as these types of Ginseng degrade more easily at room temperature.
While western skincare brands are catching up, the few products containing Red Ginseng are found in K-Beauty and other Asian skincare products.
If you're ready to add Ginseng to amp up your anti-aging skincare routine, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a product.
As with most active ingredients, check to see that Ginseng is not too far from the start of the ingredients list, as ingredients are listed in order from highest to lowest concentrations
You also want to make sure that there aren't any potentially toxic parabens, phthalates, and skin-drying alcohols.
Lastly, consider choosing a K-Beauty product as their skincare products are known for their more potent formulations that are free of many of these ingredients to begin with.
Cell Forte Skincare from our product review article on Top 2021 Best Serums for Aging Skin, features both panax ginseng and red ginseng extracts high up on their ingredients list and is free of 2 common yet potentially toxic chemicals. They are always having a special for new customers, learn more at www.cellforteskincare.com
*This article is not and ad and was not sponsored.
