Hale Cosmeceuticals strives to stay on the cutting edge of skin health technology. We are one of the few companies that offer products with ellagic acid, a plant-derived polyphenol compound that promises skin health and overall health benefits.
Ellagic Acid in Nature
Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenol compound found in plants, which it synthesizes from tannins and other chemical compounds. Ellagic acid is found in the highest concentrations in dark fruits, including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and pomegranates. In plants, ellagic acid provides natural UV protection as well as defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens.
Ellagic Acid and Overall Health
The same protective properties that ellagic acid provides in plants are available to humans. Research has shown that dietary and supplemental doses of ellagic acid are effect for:
Fighting pathogens
Ellagic acid inhibits enzyme production in viruses, bacteria and fungi, preventing them from infiltrating and proliferating inside the body where they cause disease.
Fighting cancer
Ellagic acid has been shown to shrink or arrest the growth of some kinds of cancerous tumors by inhibiting cancer cell growth and/or causing cancer cell death.
Although more studies are needed, ellagic acid may be a promising treatment (and possibly a preventative measure) for skin cancer.
Ellagic Acid and Skin Health
The skin health benefits of ellagic acid are not limited to its possible treatment for skin cancer. Ellagic acid can help protect skin from oxidative stress induced by UV radiation and the natural aging process. A recent Korean study shows that ellagic acid applied to sun damaged skin (a mild sunburn) reduced inflammation. Such an effect may be due to ellagic acid's ability to repress the effects of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), a compound involved in the inflammatory response. Ellagic acid also inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), an enzyme that signals collagen breakdown. Together, these properties encourage the maintenance and/or improvement of the skin's elasticity, which may result in the diminishing of fine lines and wrinkles. But ellagic acid isn't just a wrinkle fighter. As a tyrosinase inhibitor, ellagic acid is also an effective skin brightener. However, ellagic acid does not affect the DNA of melanocytes (the skin cells that produce pigment), making it a safer alternative other skin brightening ingredients like hydroquinone.
Ellagic Acid in Your Medicine Cabinet
Currently, there are not a lot of skin care products with ellagic acid on the market. But Hale Cosmeceuticals brings you the skin health benefits of ellagic acid in our Soft Finishing Moisturizer. Our formula, which is also rich in lipids, soothes sun damaged skin and provides relief for dry skin and psoriasis. If you have questions about our Soft Finishing Moisturizer or would like to order, please call us (1-800-951-7005). We are happy to help you find the skin care products that are right for your skin type and skin care goals.
