How to Best Use Watercress for Skincare Benefits?
WATERCRESS INGREDIENT GUIDE: Watercress works wonders. Read a short synopsis of the science behind how it encourages collagen and elastin production for younger, firmer skin
The Role of Collagen and Elastin
We obsess about Collagen in our skincare regimens, and rightly so.
Collagen is the scaffold of our skin, keeping it firm and wrinkle-free. Skin with more collagen has smaller pores and fewer wrinkles.
But our skin can be devoid of these tell-tale signs of aging yet still not look YOUNG.
- Elastin is as important as collagen for the appearance of younger skin because it keeps skin resilient.
- We lose elastin as we age and from sun damage.
- Elastin can be replaced in the skin, but fewer products address the loss of skin elastin.
What is the secret of youthful skin? Collagen AND Elastin.
How do you increase both Collagen and Elastin in your skin? By slathering Watercress all over it.
The Science of Watercress
Watercress, also known as Nasturtium Officinale, is a tiny plant with big beauty benefits.
A groundbreaking skincare study showed Watercress uniquely promotes Collagen III in the dermal cells of the papillary dermis skin layer. [1] Collagen III is known as “baby collagen” – it is the type we lose as we age.
Nasturtium Officinale also builds Elastin.
Elastin gives skin its’ youthful bounce.
The same study found that the more elastin skin has, the smoother skin looks. But as skin loses elastin, it becomes dull and rough.
Enhanced collagen levels ALSO increase skin elasticity. And together, they make skin taut, resilient, and radiant.
It also is an antioxidant full Vitamins A, C, E, K, and notably, Copper. [2]
What are Watercress Skincare Benefits?
Watercress contains Copper which has an amazing ability to restore skin elastin
Elastin gives skin its’ youthful bounce and the ability to spring back. Few ingredients support elastin as copper does.
Copper peptides promote collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production within the skin. All three are vital for skin firmness, texture, radiance, and appearance.
Copper extraction is costly, which often makes it costly in skincare products. Watercress is an excellent way to get topical copper in your skincare program.
Read more about how copper benefits the skin here.
Watercress Contains Vitamin K to erase dark circles
The Vitamin K in Nasturtium Officinale reduces brown and blue-tinged under-eye dark circles caused by leaking capillaries.
As we age, we tend to get more broken capillaries, resulting in red and brown heme pooled under the skin. Vitamin K strengthens these capillaries so they are more resistant to breakage.
Watercress also contains Vitamins A and C to fight free radicals.
Featured Products Containing Watercress
We love Watercress in an eye treatment!
It is found in skin-savvy beauty brands such as SK-II.
This Farmaesthetics Watercress Eye Gel contains Watercress and certified organic herbs, flowers, and oils from American family farms. An ideal combo to restore, revitalize and refresh. Plus it comes in this charming cobalt bottle.
Watercress Ingredient Guide Summary
Was this Ingredient Guide helpful? Then you may like other Ingredients Guides such as:
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And stay tuned for more Style Chicks Ingredient Overviews!
References
- “Shiseido Succeeds in Visualization of Internal Skin Elasticity “ Decrease of Type III Collagen Involved in Age-Dependent Degradation in Skin Elasticity.” Shiseido, Shiseido, Apr. 2018, corp.shiseido.com/en/newsimg/2423_c3b40_en.pdf.
- Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, July 2001, pages 392–399
