Beautiful Berries Abound in Skin Care

Posted: December 18, 2007

Berries are especially festive and bright during the holidays. For years, their sweet and tart taste has been one of the most popular flavors for both food and non-food products. Certain berries are classified as “superfruits” because of their health benefits and functionality. Now berries – especially those from Arctic regions – are proving to be more than a seasonal treat or decoration. Demanding growth conditions means that Arctic berries are juicier and more concentrated in actives. Their high content of antioxidants and vitamins has quickly facilitated a move into skin care, in particular in radiance and antiaging formulas.

Finnish skincare brand Lumene can be credited with launching the Arctic berry trend. In 2001, the company patented the concept and launched the first skin care products with Nordic berries. This November, Lumene expanded its Vitamin C+ range with antiaging products targeted to a 25+ consumer. The Age Defying Arctic Cloudberry Nourishing Day Cream for dry skin contains Arctic cloudberry and vitamin C to strengthen, protect and brighten the skin. The product is said to help fight the first signs of aging. Rubus chamaemorus (cloudberry) is an amber-colored berry that resembles a raspberry. It grows wild in bogs and forests, primarily in Northern Finland near the Arctic Circle. The compact berries contain twice as much vitamin C as a whole orange. They are also packed with omega 3 and 6 and vitamins A and E. The berry’s oil is said to strengthen and protect the skin, as well as provide antioxidant benefits. Tea made from cloudberry leaves was apparently used in ancient Scandinavian herbal medicine to cure urinary tract infections.

Another product that contains arctic cloudberry seed oil is Skyn Iceland's Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels.The cooling transdermal gel patches claim to "infuse the eye area with concentrated doses of soothing, firming, draining and anti-wrinkle actives. This six-pack of eye gels is paraben and fragrance-free. Skyn Iceland was created to combat the physiological effects of stress on the skin and draws inspiration from Iceland’s natural resources. All of the products contain a Biospheric complex made of actives from earth, air and water. The earth component includes arctic cloudberry seed oil and red cranberry seed oil.

Vaccinium oxycoccos or Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) is filled with tannic acids that prevent and destroy bacteria. It also contain tocotrienol, a rare form of vitamin E, said to be many times more effective than tocopherol, the more commonly known form of vitamin E. In addition, cranberry has carotenoid, a vitamin A pre-cursor that prevents changes resulting from the aging of the skin.

Swiss-made Alchimie Forever uses Cranberry seed powder in its new Excimer+ Gentle Antioxidant Refining Scrub. The natural exfoliator contains cranberry and jojoba beads to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin. Papaya enzymes, lychee extract, rosemary and shea butter are also included in the formula. For over 10 years, Doctors Luigi and Barbara Polla have operated the Forever Laser Institut in Geneva, Switzerland, the first fully integrated European medical spa. Their Alchimie Forever range includes face and body care for women and men. It was developed from their experience in dermatology and biomedical research on antioxidants and the aging process.