Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds in fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, flowers and leaves. They have been extensively studied and shown to exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-allergenic activities.

So what does that really mean and how are Flavonoids beneficial for the skin? The uppermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is the first line of defense against environmental conditions. This layer is rich in lipids and is easily oxidisable, which is where flavonoids come to play. Flavonoids applied to this layer can “mop up” free radicals that cause damage to our skin and they can act as anti-oxidising agents. These properties influence other skin layers as well; preventing UV radiation damage in the epidermal layer and going even deeper into the dermis, they can even strengthen blood vessels. Say hello to Flavonoids and youthful looking skin!

Now that you know how important Flavonoids are in protecting our skin from damage due to UV radiation, stress, pollution and premature signs of aging…how do you get them to your skin?! High quality, pure extracts containing Flavonoids are making their way into the cosmetic industry. Look to companies that are known to formulate without the use of toxic ingredients, yes this includes those synthetic fragrances. You want the Flavonoids delivered in a pure, natural, nourishing “base”. Beware of products claiming to have anti-oxidant ingredients and really only having tiny amounts of these ingredients mixed with a slew of toxic ingredients, which then causes more harm than good. As always, read your labels thoroughly!

Here are some ingredients to look for when shopping for Flavonoid rich beauty products: Pomegranate, Acai, Mangosteen, Green tea, Ginkgo, Horsetail, Mallow, Chamomile, Calendula, Cocoa, Carrot, Raspberry seed oil, Licorice, Olive Oil.