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Die kalte Jahreszeit ist für die meisten von uns eine echte Herausforderung, was die Hautpflege betrifft. Die trockene Luft in der Kälte und die Windeinschläge im Winter erhöhen das Risiko für trockene Haut und Ekzeme. Aber das heißt nicht, dass wir uns der Situation ergeben müssen! Mit den folgenden 4 Tipps können Sie Ihre Haut im Winter schützen:

1. Hydratation: Unsere Haut ist viel mehr als eine Barriere gegen äußere Einflüsse. Sie hält uns warm und speichert Feuchtigkeit. Wenn es draußen kalt und trocken ist, sollte man seine Haut regelmäßig mit einer reichhaltigen Feuchtigkeitscreme oder einem Serum einmassieren. So bekommt man die benötigte Feuchtigkeit zurück, sodass sie glatt und geschmeidig bleibt.

2. Reinigung: Die Verwendung eines milden Reinigers ist unerlässlich, da es hilft, überschüssige Öle und Ablagerungen von der Oberfläche der Haut zu entfernen. Ein guter Reiniger hat auch die Fähigkeit, die Poren sanft zu reinigen, ohne sie austrocknen zu lassen.

3. Exfoliation: Regelmäßige Peelings helfen unserer Haut dabei, tote Zellen loszuwerden und neue Zellen hervorzubringen. Dieser Prozess erhöht die Durchblutung und stimuliert die Produktion von Kollagen in den tieferen Schichten der Haut – was wiederum hilft, Falten zu reduzieren und dem Teint mehr Glanz zu verleihen. Die trockene Luft im Winter macht unserer Haut sehr zu schaffen, daher ist es wichtig, täglich eine Feuchtigkeitscreme aufzutragen. Achten Sie darauf, die Creme nicht zu dick aufzutragen, da sonst unangenehme Pickel entstehen können.

4. Schutz: Da es sich bei Sonnenstrahlen um UVA-Strahlen handelt, müssen wir unserer Haut auch im Winter schützende Maßnahmen angedeihen lassen! Achten Sie also darauf, dass Ihre Feuchtigkeitscreme SPF enthält (mindestens 15). So sorgen Sie dafür, dass Ihre Haut vor schädlichen UV-Strahlen geschützt ist – auch an grauen Tagen!

Mit dieser Strategie können Sie Ihre Haut nachweislich vor den widrigsten Bedingungen des Winters schützen. Folgen Sie also diesem Rat und genießen Sie eine gesunde und strahlende Haut im Winter!

Pomegranates are concentrated life force. They contain a valuable variety of antioxidants and vital substances. It is for good reason that the fruit of the gods, as one of the oldest cultivated plants, is a symbol for fertility and beauty.

Once upon a time, the Greek goddesses Athena, Aphrodite and Hera quarrelled about who was the most beautiful among them. The Trojan Paris ended their argument with a simple gesture. He handed Aphrodite a ripe pomegranate – the fruit of her favorite tree – and thus chose her as the most beautiful goddess. Since then, the pomegranate has been a symbol representing beauty, fertility and sensuality. It is, however, not by chance that the pomegranate was specifically given this symbolically important role in Greek mythology.

The pomegranate continuously surfaces as a symbol across the entire history of mankind. The pomegranate was even eternalized in the Bible. Its fruit is purported to have been plucked from the “tree of knowledge” by Eve. The pomegranate also served in a Greek and Roman ritual as a symbol for marriage: Young brides were made to carry blooming pomegranate branches. The German word for garnet (Granat), scarlet semi-precious stones that are reminiscent of pomegranate seeds in shape and color, refers to the fruit. The same applies to the ever so deadly grenades (Granate in German). The reason for this choice of name is that the pomegranate not only symbolised life and fertility, but also power – just think of an imperial orb – and, due to its color, blood and death as well. The Spanish town of Grenada is also linked to the pomegranate: At one time, the Moorish kings bore heraldic devices with the inscription “sour but sweet.” This was used to express the idea that good emperors, similar to pomegranates, combine sternness and kindness. In Chinese medicine, on the other hand, the pomegranate is seen as an aphrodisiac.

Copyright esbjerg.com Fotografin: Maja

Potent guardians of health

Pomegranates contain powerful antioxidants – for example, the concentration of antioxidants in pomegranate juice is three times stronger than in red wine or tea. Antioxidants are versatile and potent guardians of human health. Among other things, they are used for heart conditions, high blood pressure and cancer prevention. Furthermore, they protect blood vessels and the immune system. In cosmetics, they are renowned for their unique ability to protect cells: for the reduction of wrinkles and as a prophylaxis against skin aging. Along with the antioxidative plant compound polyphenole, the pomegranate also offers additional protective ingredients. The red, succulent arils contain estrogenically active steroids and feature the highest ratio of gamma-linolenic acid in the entire plant kingdom. This triple unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid strengthens the acid mantle of the skin and improves skin elasticity. Furthermore, the plant compounds contained in the fruit help to prevent skin irritations such as inflammation of the skin, dry skin and itching. At the same time, the fruit extract refines pores and thus supports a more harmonious skin texture.

The pomegranate extract bundles this highly sought after range of compounds. Produced by means of high pressure extraction with naturally carbonated spring water, this process leaves no residues, meaning that the strict criteria of natural cosmetics are all met.

Man has been extracting olive oil from the fruit for thousands of years. Its wholesome effect has always been valued, and modern nutritional science deems olive oil to be the most healthy vegetablebased edible oil. But olive oil has also found its way into cosmetics – as a supplier of high-quality mineral substances, vitamins and trace elements.

This success story has a long history: The olive tree was already venerated as a holy tree in antiquity, its cultivation can be traced back to 2000 B.C. and archaeological finds bear witness to the production, utilization and commercial exploitation of olive oil by the Egyptians, Babylonians, Minoans, Greeks and also the Romans. Unchanged throughout the ages, the high quality of the oil depends equally on the selected olive variety and ist degree of ripeness. The entire stone fruit is processed to produce the oil. The production chain – the harvesting, transport and oil extraction method – is the second significant factor for the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Last but not least, the storage method and duration play a role as well.

Compared to other vegetable oils, extra virgin olive oil features a balanced composition of fatty acids, highgrade mineral substances and trace elements as well as vitamin A and large quantities of vitamin E. Olive oil’s vitamin E prevents the oxidation of numerous substances during their transport in the blood and thus protects the red blood cells. Furthermore, it stabilizes the cell membrane and in this manner even facilitates an astounding anti-aging effect. The jack of all trades olive oil also has a positive effect on the digestive tract, regulates acid production in the stomach and is recommended for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Classification of olive oils

When talking about the exceptional properties of olive oils, people always refer to oils bearing the designation “extra virgin olive oil.” This is due to the fact that this term only applies to oils that are extracted from high-quality olives. Furthermore, the extraction method may not impair quality. The highest-grade extra virgin olive oils are yielded through cold pressing without the addition of water.
All other olive oil types exhibit quality defects – be it the use of damaged fruits or the consequences of inadequate manufacturing criteria that allow for deficiencies. According to the quality levels defined by the European Union, such lesser oils are classified as “virgin olive oil,” “olive oil,” and in the last step, “olive residual oil.” Residual oil represents the lowest quality level and is produced from extraction residues using solvents such as hexane or benzene. It is only approved for consumption if it is mixed with “virgin olive oil.”

Copyright esbjerg.com Fotograf: Heinz Schmölzer

Olive leaf extract

Oleuropein – a powerful antioxidant – is one of the most important substances of the olive tree. It is an important part of the fruit and thus the olive oil. However, this bitter substance is found in large amounts in the olive leaf. Its concentration there is 300 times greater than in olive oil. This is due to the fact that the leaves remain on the tree for around five years, while the olives only spend a few months on the branches. In order to harness the valuable extract, the leaves are picked by hand prior to the olive harvest and immediately processed in their fresh state.
The range of effects of oleuropein is impressive: It has anti-bacterial, antiviral and antimycotic properties and is the reason for the great resilience of olive trees, which can reach an age of a thousand years. Olive leaf extract functions as an oxidation inhibitor which captures free radicals, bonds with them, and thus neutralizes their damaging effect on somatic cells. In cosmetics, olive leaf extract guards against premature, light-related skin aging and the skin is also protected against irritations.

The right care brings the body into harmony with the soul. The first thing we perceive in this regard is healthy skin. The undisputed recipe for success: Making use of the broad range of nature’s ingredients, which ensure long-term well-being when bundled in natural cosmetic products.

Today’s search for health and beauty is often akin to an odyssey. Unconsidered habits, daily time pressure and an oversupply of products have significantly diverted man away from his actual path – a lifestyle close to nature. One that can actually deliver all the things promised by the food and cosmetics industry. Everywhere you read, you hear about a resilient organism all the way to smooth, wrinkle-free skin. This sounds enticing. However, the body can only be vital and beautiful if healthy nutrition and long-term care go hand in hand.

Those who turn their gaze inwards immediately know which foods on their own menu are agreeable. When it comes to cosmetics, this is a bit more difficult. Products based on softeners and other additives often feign a hair and skin state that does not actually exist. For example, some standard creams clog pores and cover the skin like a film. On the outside, this gives the impression of softness, but the reality of the situation becomes clear the next time you shower. The skin suffers beneath the supposedly treated surface. Instead of disposing of such products, a lot of people react in the opposite manner. Hoping for regeneration, they use even more – a vicious cycle that can have serious consequences. The skin can no longer breathe and waste products are no longer sufficiently secreted.

The true appearance increasingly deteriorates: The skin becomes drier and more wrinkled. And this is despite the fact that the road to healthy care has actually been paved for a long time: Body care products made from natural ingredients support the metabolism of the skin and thus not only contribute to natural beauty, but also to health on a long-term basis.

What can I put into my body?

Damaging substances enter our bodies both through the skin and by means of the food we ingest. Deposited in the connective tissue, chemical additives from foodstuffs and care products put a strain on the body. It is therefore important to know what one should eat and how to care for oneself. Natural agents help the body to reach an equilibrium. And what is good for the body also affects the psyche. Therefore, scrutiny pays off by ensuring that the body only gets the things it can actually benefit from. This rules out a lot of convenience products the food and beverages industry has to offer. The general rule is that fresh things are good things.

A simple question serves as an orientation aid in the supermarket: Which products would exist without the food industry? The remaining products are in most cases healthy or at least justifiable. Based on the example of potato chips, this means that industrially produced chips cannot be recommended. Because these chips are often just potato powder that has been pressed into slices, loaded with flavor enhancers and then fried in cheap oil, they are not part of a balanced diet. If, on the other hand, one dries fresh potato slices in the oven, sprinkles them with high-quality vegetable oil and uses natural flavourings, then chips can definitely support a healthy diet.

(c) Sam Scott Schiavo Copyright by Sam Scott Schiavo

In cosmetics, the same principle applies. When they remain unaltered, natural ingredients can realize the full potential of their powerful effects. Old household remedies in particular have proven their worth over Feuchtigkeitsvergenerations – as cosmetics and as a remedy for physical ailments. However, those wishing to do their body some good do not necessarily have to scour the woods for herbs. High-quality natural cosmetics products have harnessed the positive effects of natural ingredients and now significantly stand out from mass products. They guarantee the use of high-quality ingredients and compliance with strict manufacturing criteria, such as the lack of softeners. In order to make an individually balanced choice, one must know what the skin requires for optimal care as well as which properties the various plants have. Biological wheat germ oil and top-quality aloe vera, for example, highlight the tremendous power contained in natural substances.

In order to select the best skin care products, we must understand how the skin, man’s largest organ, works. The skin consists of three layers – the upper layer (epidermis), the true skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissue (subcutis) – and serves to effectively protect the body.

The primary functions of the upper layer are the immune response as well as UV protection and protection against dehydration. The true skin, on the other hand, is responsible for the production of oil via the oil glands and thermoregulation. This is where the alarm system of the skin is located, nutrients are transported through blood vessels and waste products are secreted via sweat glands. The subcutaneous tissue also plays an important role in regulating temperature and transporting nutrients. Furthermore, pheromones are produced here, and the body’s own water is regulated by means of blood vessels and the lymphatic system. Last but not least, the subcutaneous tissue also has buffering and insulation functions.

The hydrolipid film

The surface of the skin is covered by a thin film, which consists of body oils from the oil glands, free lipids and sweat compounds: the so-called hydrolipid film. The fatty acids are partially broken down by lipases (fat-splitting enzymes); this results in a slight lowering of the pH-value to 5.5–6.5, i.e. to a slightly acidic state. This is where the term “acid mantle” comes from. This primarily has an antimicrobial protective function and supports the smoothness of the skin. When it comes to supplying moisture, the hydrolipid film does not play a starring role: This function is mostly taken over by the lipid layer.

Two factors are significant for the healthy appearance of our skin: On the one hand, an intact, smooth and flexible horny layer without visible dander and, on the other hand, the moisture level of the horny layer. Hydrophilics, i.e. water-attracting substances, capture water in the cells. The impulse for the skin to form these substances depends on their water level. They consist of amino acids, free carbonic acids, pyrrolidone carbonic acid, organic acids such as lactic acid, salts such as sodium, potassium and calcium, and urea.

Maintaining skin moisture levels

Natural cosmetics offer two effective strategies to keep moisture in the skin: The first aims at utilizing water- attracting substances, which bind moisture upon application and keep it in the horny layer. They are utilized by corresponding compounds in the aqueous phase; valuable phospholipids in vegetable oils feed them into the skin and support its hydration. The other approach makes use of the ability of vegetable oils to reconstruct the barrier layer of the skin and to reduce water evaporation of the skin, without completely clogging it. As a result, the flow of the body’s own water is inversed and skin moisture is maintained. Phytosterols and fatty acids such as oil, palmitic and palmitoleic acid regenerate the lipid layers necessary for an intact horny layer.

Last but not least, a third factor also has a hydrating effect: Emulsions, which we normally use cosmetically, contain bonded water and so-called bulk water depending on the emulsifier and the emulsion type. It is deposited in the hydrophilic areas of the lipid layer and can immediately saturate the horny layer in an effective manner. The bonded water of the emulsion, on the other hand, is distributed gradually, similar to a water reservoir. Furthermore, active agents of an emulsion are more easily absorbed by intact skin, as they are offered in a form which corresponds to the structure of the skin lipids.

Avocado oil and grape seed oil

In this regard, avocado and grape seed oil are able to work true miracles. Rich in lecithin, they are said to have a “gliding channel effect,” making them optimal pathways for active ingredients into the skin.

Wheat germ oil

The golden yellow wheat germ oil is also on the list of high-quality ingredients. It is among the most expensive vegetable oils and features a high degree of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. As a result, it is effective against premature aging of the skin and also serves as an excellent hair protection agent. The polyunsaturated fatty acids support the build-up of cells in the hair root and can stop hair loss. Wheat germ oil also plays an important role in nutrition. It helps to lower cholesterol levels and increases physical performance.

Aloe vera

aloe leaf

This nondescript member of the lily family features a unique abundance of active agents not found anywhere else in nature. The exceptional biological makeup of aloe vera includes polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes, mineral supplements and amino acids – everything a healthy human organism requires. As a result, the “empress of the medicinal plants” plays an important role in natural cosmetics and serves to revitalize the body as a whole. As aloe vera has a cooling effect and provides a lot of moisture, it is counted among the best remedies for damaged skin, especially sunburns. Do note, however, that the concentration and quality of the plant additives must be correct. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the gel of the freshly cut leaf works best.

It would be easy to continue listing fantastic natural remedies, which exist in abundance and whose areas of application fill entire encyclopedias. On the following pages, however, we will explicitly deal with two great stars in the field of natural cosmetics – olive oil and the pomegranate.