tolfioow: Professor Steinkraus, why are natural ingredients so useful in cosmetics?
Prof. Steinkraus: Evolution has shown that nature protects and regenerates itself best. Plants form substances that shield them from environmental influences such as UV radiation, cold and drought. We take these phenomena as a model.
It’s called biomimicry.
Yes, we take control of the processes and modes of action for our skin , so to speak – for example, to activate the natural process that protects the body from stress. Do human skin cells respond better to natural substances? I am convinced of that. In this way, we give the cell an optimal environment made up of elements that also occur in its natural environment.
Which plant sources are particularly exciting for anti-aging?
Lemon balm, oats, blueberries, components of the cocoa bean and especially macadamia nuts. Their oil is particularly valuable. There will definitely be some new developments in the future.
So the more natural the better?
In principle yes. But quality control is also important: it must be 100% guaranteed that no pesticides occur in the natural sources. Chemically manufactured products are subject to much stricter controls.
When is the right time to start taking targeted measures to combat skin aging?
I used to see it differently, but today I say: start in your late 20s, as a preventive concept, so to speak.
Besides external care, what else is important when it comes to anti-aging?
sleep ! When we sleep, a different genetic program runs in our cells than when we are awake. Some repair processes can only take place with sufficient sleep. “Inflammatory processes” are often referred to as the main reason for premature skin aging. This means inflammatory processes. A distinction must be made between inflammation and infection. For example, inflammation causes rosacea.
What’s happening in the skin?
Put simply: the white blood cells are the police officers in our blood, in the marrow. They patrol and shoot with live ammunition at those who caused the inflammation. inflammatory cells are formed. Now when there is a stimulus in the skin, inflammatory cells are sent into the skin where they don’t belong.
What triggers this stimulus?
We do not know that, yet.
Can cosmetics help with this?
Anti-inflammatory agents are good in any case.