peppermint oil and extracts safe for use in cosmetics.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Antioxidant-rich pomegranate fruit is one of the newest kids on the antiaging block. Pomegranate
bursts with anthocyanin and hydrolyzable tannin, which explains its cancer-prevention abilities.
Studies have shown that pomegranate extract, both taken internally and applied topically, can greatly
reduce photoaging and prevent formation of UV-induced skin cancer. Pomegranate seed oil, when
used in a 5 percent concentration, also significantly decreased skin tumor incidence in animals, which
makes it a very promising, safe, and effective natural agent against skin cancer. Pomegranate seed and
fruit extract are used in many green beauty lines, particularly in Juice Beauty organic moisturizers,
and you can add this valuable ingredient to your own lotions and potions.
Propolis
Along with beeswax, bees use propolis to build their hives. In natural skin care, propolis is used to
relieve skin inflammations, ulcers, superficial burns, and scalds. It has shown local antibiotic and
antifungal properties, and there is some evidence that propolis may actively protect against caries and
other forms of oral disease. Propolis is sold in most health food stores and can be applied topically
or added to skin care preparations and mouthwashes. Propolis can also be used as a natural
preservative in green beauty products.
Protein Peptides
We know these power players as palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl pen-tapeptide, and palmitoyl
tetrapeptide. Peptides—amino acids held together by peptide bonds and attached to palmitic or acetic
acid—are hot talk in skin care. Two amino acids make a dipeptide, three a tripeptide, five a pen-
tapeptide. Argireline is acetyl hexapeptide, comprising six amino acid molecules linked to acetic
acid. They work to release wrinkles by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters. The skin becomes
stiff, as after a Botox injection. However, there are no independent clinical studies proving the safety
of this ingredient. Matrixyl is palmitoyl pentapeptide that links five amino acid molecules. This
synthetic peptide imitates the action of matrikines, small peptides formed when the dermis proteins
are damaged and degraded. These cell messengers prompt the skin to start repairing itself and heal
wounds, leading to increased synthesis of collagen and other skin molecules. Matrixyl is better
researched for safety and effectiveness than other peptides: one study found that this molecule is
effective in repairing skin photoaging, and more recent studies note that it helps thicken the skin, thus
relieving wrinkles. No side effects have been reported, thus making Matrixyl a promising addition to
your DIY antiaging preparations.
Rose (Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia)
This gorgeous flower is used in many green beauty preparations. Rose petals are steam-distilled to
produce essential rose oil. The hydrosol portion of distillate is used to make exquisite rose water, a
highly emollient and soothing fluid. Essential rose oil, also known as attar of rose and rose absolute,
contains more than 300 compounds, among them citronellol, geraniol, linalool, farnesol, pinenes,
terpinene, limonene, and many others. In recent studies, citronellol has demonstrated antioxidant and
antimicrobial activity, probably due to the presence of antioxidant quercetin, discovered in rose