Dr Mulgan on the essentials ingredients
Turmeric
Turmeric has been a pillar of Asian cuisine and culture and medicine for millennia. A huge amount of modern research has demonstrated it has potent anti-inflammatory ingredients, particularly a phytochemical called curcumin. Unfortunately, curcumin in its natural state is not well absorbed from the gut. LifeGuard Essentials counteracts this by delivering a daily dose of curcumin in an easily absorbed package, combined with an extract of black pepper.
As a plant extract, turmeric is also valued for its antimicrobial properties and its ability to help detoxify skin.
Grapes and seed oil
Grapes have more anti-inflammatory compounds than almost any other fruit, but more than half of them are in the pips, and most of the rest are in the skin and stems. Just eating grapes wastes most of their potential. LifeGuard Essentials delivers an extract of grape skin and seed which captures the grape’s most valuable constituents.
Grape seed extract is a potent seed extract, and grape skin is a fruit extract, both contributing to the formulation's efficacy.
Boswelia and its anti inflammatory properties
Boswellia is the sap of a desert tree from North Africa, which blocks some of the key enzymes in the inflammatory cascade. It also blocks the master regulator that controls inflammatory genes, so that the cell machinery that makes inflammatory proteins is switched off.
Boswellia is also recognized for its anti-ageing benefits, helping to reduce visible signs of aging.
Olives and Olive Oil
Olives have numerous constituents that block inflammation, and their oil is one of the mainstays of healthy modern eating. Recent research shows even higher levels of the key phytochemicals like oleuropein come from olive leaf extract, highlighting the potent benefits of this natural leaf extract for skin health and inflammation.
Skullcap ant extract
Baikal skullcap is a Siberian shrub named after its distinctive helmet shaped flowers whose root has long been used in Chinese medicine. Modern science shows the root contains six separate anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which have particular affinity for blocking age related inflammation in the brain.
Ingredients
Skincare Ingredient Safety
Let's be honest here – ensuring the safety of skincare ingredients isn't just some marketing buzzword, it's absolutely essential if any of us want to achieve and maintain healthy, radiant skin. With the sheer volume of products flooding the market these days, it's crucial that we choose ingredients that not only genuinely improve skin texture and skin elasticity but also protect the skin's surface and support overall skin health. The right skincare choices can help those of us seeking smoother skin, a more even skin tone, and a resilient skin barrier that actually stands up to daily stressors – it's that straightforward!
Now, seed oils rich in essential fatty acids are what I'd call a real cornerstone of effective skincare. They help nourish skin cells, support the skin barrier function, and provide deep hydration, making them absolutely ideal for improving skin texture and helping the skin retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid is another genuine powerhouse ingredient – and the research backs this up – renowned for its ability to boost skin hydration and moisture retention, leaving skin plump and smooth.
For those of us dealing with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, ingredient safety becomes even more critical. Aloe vera is genuinely celebrated for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm irritation and support skin repair. Coconut oil, with its rich source of fatty acids, delivers deep hydration and helps smooth skin texture, while shea butter locks in moisture and supports skin health – making it a brilliant choice for dry or cracked skin.
There's considerable research indicating that antioxidants play a vital role in protecting skin from damaging free radicals and environmental stress. Vitamin C, a genuinely potent antioxidant, helps brighten skin, even skin tone, and promote collagen synthesis, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E, with its proven antioxidant properties, works alongside vitamin C to protect skin, support collagen production, and fight free radicals for a more youthful, radiant complexion – quite simply, they work brilliantly together!
Exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid and lactic acid – both alpha hydroxy acids – gently remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, revealing smoother, brighter skin and improving skin texture. For those of us with acne-prone skin, beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid can help unclog pores and control excessive oil production, supporting a clearer complexion. Naturally derived plant extracts, including primrose oil and olive oil, offer genuine anti-inflammatory properties and help soothe irritation, while sugar cane and fruit extracts can brighten and even skin tone.
Here's the important bit though – when introducing new skincare products, we should always follow recommended usage and patch test to ensure compatibility with our skin type. It's wise to opt for products that are naturally derived and free from harsh chemicals, which can strip the skin's natural sebum and disrupt the skin's moisture balance. Look for ingredients that genuinely support skin barrier function, provide deep hydration, and help repair damaged skin.
The bottom line? By choosing skincare products rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory plant extracts, we can help protect skin, improve skin texture and elasticity, and promote a radiant, healthy complexion. Whether you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or are looking to reduce signs of aging, selecting safe, effective, and naturally derived ingredients is absolutely key to supporting skin health and achieving your best skin yet. None of us can shortcut our way to great skin, but choosing the right ingredients certainly tips the scales in our favour!
Skincare Ingredient Safety
Let's be honest here – ensuring the safety of skincare ingredients isn't just some marketing buzzword, it's absolutely essential if any of us want to achieve and maintain healthy, radiant skin. With the sheer volume of products flooding the market these days, it's crucial that we choose ingredients that not only genuinely improve skin texture and skin elasticity but also protect the skin's surface and support overall skin health. The right skincare choices can help those of us seeking smoother skin, a more even skin tone, and a resilient skin barrier that actually stands up to daily stressors – it's that straightforward!
Now, seed oils rich in essential fatty acids are what I'd call a real cornerstone of effective skincare. They help nourish skin cells, support the skin barrier function, and provide deep hydration, making them absolutely ideal for improving skin texture and helping the skin retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid is another genuine powerhouse ingredient – and the research backs this up – renowned for its ability to boost skin hydration and moisture retention, leaving skin plump and smooth.
For those of us dealing with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, ingredient safety becomes even more critical. Aloe vera is genuinely celebrated for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm irritation and support skin repair. Coconut oil, with its rich source of fatty acids, delivers deep hydration and helps smooth skin texture, while shea butter locks in moisture and supports skin health – making it a brilliant choice for dry or cracked skin.
There's considerable research indicating that antioxidants play a vital role in protecting skin from damaging free radicals and environmental stress. Vitamin C, a genuinely potent antioxidant, helps brighten skin, even skin tone, and promote collagen synthesis, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E, with its proven antioxidant properties, works alongside vitamin C to protect skin, support collagen production, and fight free radicals for a more youthful, radiant complexion – quite simply, they work brilliantly together!
Exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid and lactic acid – both alpha hydroxy acids – gently remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, revealing smoother, brighter skin and improving skin texture. For those of us with acne-prone skin, beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid can help unclog pores and control excessive oil production, supporting a clearer complexion. Naturally derived plant extracts, including primrose oil and olive oil, offer genuine anti-inflammatory properties and help soothe irritation, while sugar cane and fruit extracts can brighten and even skin tone.
Here's the important bit though – when introducing new skincare products, we should always follow recommended usage and patch test to ensure compatibility with our skin type. It's wise to opt for products that are naturally derived and free from harsh chemicals, which can strip the skin's natural sebum and disrupt the skin's moisture balance. Look for ingredients that genuinely support skin barrier function, provide deep hydration, and help repair damaged skin.
The bottom line? By choosing skincare products rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory plant extracts, we can help protect skin, improve skin texture and elasticity, and promote a radiant, healthy complexion. Whether you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or are looking to reduce signs of aging, selecting safe, effective, and naturally derived ingredients is absolutely key to supporting skin health and achieving your best skin yet. None of us can shortcut our way to great skin, but choosing the right ingredients certainly tips the scales in our favour!
