Calendula

Calendula is a natural anti-inflammatory. Inflammation of the skin causes breakouts, rosacea, eczema, sensitivity, even a breakdown of collagen. All these inflammatory skin conditions can benefit from calendula’s soothing effects. The anti-inflammatory properties are thanks to calendula flower’s potent dose of flavonoid, saponins, and triterpenoids. These give calendula the ability to prevent the release of histamines, which can cause redness, pain, allergies, and inflammation.

Moisturizing.  Calendula is rich in essential fatty acids. The linoleic acid in calendula nourishes the skin from the outside.  Linoleic acids give the skin cells the ability to absorb nutrients and hold onto water longer. On the surface, this will look like more supple, nourished, smoother skin. 

Protects the skin from external aggressors. The same flavonoids that give calendula the ability to soothe skin also function to protect it. Flavonoids function as a powerful antioxidant, which helps protect your skin against free radical damage. Free radicals are highly destructive molecules that can wreak havoc on the skin. Antioxidants, like the flavonoids in calendula extract, pair with free radicals, essentially neutralizing them before they can do damage that leads to premature aging (increased fine lines and wrinkles), hyperpigmentation, and dullness. 

Keeps skin healthy. For hundreds of years, calendula has been used for wound healing. In fact, one study even found that calendula significantly decreased the healing time for C-section scars. The women treated with calendula ointment reported their incisions were less swollen and red than those receiving standard hospital treatment. The healing properties come from calendula’s ability to increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin. This increased blood flow to your skin means more nutrition, which helps your skin function at its healthiest and therefore look its best. 

Boswellia Serrata -Frankincense

Frankincense is a resin gained by incising the barks of desert trees of the species Boswellia. Key growing areas of the Boswellia trees are the Middle East, specifically Oman, Yemen, Somalia and India. The escaping resin hardens in the sun and after harvesting it is sold in frankincense bazaars. The soothing resin derived from Boswellia Serrata has been used since ancient times in Indian medicine (known as Ayurveda) as a healing remedy. There are more than a hundred chemical compounds found in the gum resins of the Boswellia species, many of which are beneficial to the skin. The resinous part of Boswellia contains  serratol, boswellic and other acids as the main constituents which have anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, and provide healing and relief from allergies, tumors, psoriasis and acne as well as relief of symptoms like itching, dryness, redness, peeling/ scaling, burning sensation, tingling, and warmth in lesion regions.  Boswellia Serrata has been clinically shown to improve skin elasticity and visibly reduce wrinkle depth, for firmer skin.  Inflammation and insufficient blood vessel formation delay wound healing. Boswellia Serrata not only has anti-inflammatory activity, but increases blood vessel formation.