THEvitamin C sees a new “competing” skincare active: it’s called chebula, is an antioxidant coming from the Ayurvedic world and can be a very valid alternative in cosmetic formulations. Lately, is becoming more and more intriguing, with an increase in searches online too. But what are the differences between the two?
From Ayurveda, the Chebula, rich in properties
But what is the chebula? It is nothing other than theextract rich in properties of a fruit similar to almond and of Asian origin, present in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and Malaysia. So important in Ayurvedic medicine that it is considered divine and depicted in the hands of Buddha and the god Shiva.
Beloved by celebs such as Olivia Wilde and Brooke Shields, this precious berry is known for its richness in polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids which make it a powerful antioxidant, and therefore also natural anti-aging.
Inserted in serums, moisturizers and masks, it also helps reduce the signs of oxidative stress caused by UV rays, pollution and free radicals, as well as supporting the skin’s natural repair processes. Added to this are yours too soothing and purifying propertiesanti redness, redness and irritation.
Vitamin C or Chebula, what are the differences in skincare
In recent years, vitamin C has become one of the most important ingredients in the skincare routine, due to its many antioxidant properties: it is capable of lightening skin blemishes, protecting the skin from aging, toning it and giving brightness. Attention, however, lately, it is moving towards another active, innovative although thousand-year-old, the chebula. Used in Ayurvedic medicine, it has so many advantages for the epidermis that it can become a worthy substitute for vitamin C, if not even superior to it.
One of the advantages of this ingredient compared to the famous vitamin C is its greater stability: in fact, while the latter tends to be unstable and therefore degrade easily in contact with light, air and heat, the chebula is less damageable, therefore much more effective in cosmetic formulations.
Tolerability is also different: vitamin C at high concentrations can cause skin irritation or burning, menthree the Ayurvedic ingredient is more delicate even on the most sensitive and delicate skin. Not only that, but the chebula acts not only on the surface of the skin, lightening and protecting but helps to fight epidermal inflammation and to eliminate the free radicals at the basis of epidermal aging.
Scientific research on the chebula
Recent studies also reported by scientific journals have highlighted and confirmed the benefits of Chebula. First of all, the action of its tannins and phenolics effectively protect against oxidative stress and help reduce any epidermal inflammation.
Other studies, however, have highlighted the capacity of epidermal regeneration and healing: applied on scars or psoriasis, it helps improve general health of the skin thanks to its regenerative properties. Finally, what has always been supported by Ayurvedic medicine was confirmed, i.e. the anti-inflammatory virtue, the key to beauty.