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Ingredient Spotlight: Why Pycnogenol®, or Pine Bark Extract, Might Be Your New Skin Protection Hero

Tapping into the powerful protection of trees is the next skin care frontier.

With the changing of the seasons, you might be feeling the itch to switch up your skin game and transition to protective, nourishing ingredients. We all know just how taxing bitter temperatures and cool winds can be on the skin.

Cooler seasons, with their lack of humidity, can lead to your skin feeling tight, dehydrated and dull. The addition of more protective ingredients could be just the thing you need to help your skin bounce back from seasonal skin concerns!

Pycnogenol®, the official name for maritime pine bark extract, might just be the innovative skin care ingredient that can help to keep your skin healthy all year long. Although deriving skin care from pine bark might seem eccentric, it’s benefits on the skin are no laughing matter.

The extract, which is abundantly rich in polyphenols, antioxidant rich micronutrients that often come from plants, serves to mitigate damage caused by environmental factors like temperature and the sun.

Curious about how else Pycnogenol® can help your skin? We have the fact below!

What Are Polyphenols?

Polyphenols are a group of plant products (commonly found in health-boosting antioxidant-rich foods like green tea and pomegranates as well as various plants, such as pine bark) that have been widely studied and renowned for their ability to naturally protect and heal the skin. 

Whether through eating polyphenol-rich foods, like berries, nuts, and vegetables, or applying products with polyphenols present, the skin is shown to have a better ability to protect itself against inflammation, one of the most common causes of skin aging.

How Does Pycnogenol® Work To Improve the Skin?

When French maritime pine bark extract was shown to contain very high levels of protective polyphenols, the ingredient was focused in on and given the name Pycnogenol. Its effects have been tested both as an oral supplement and in topical applications on the skin, and in both instances it was shown to help the skin protect itself better against harmful pollution, thanks to its antioxidant levels, while also boosting the skin’s ability to retain hydration longer. 

On top of that, it was proven to increase the skin’s production of hyaluronic acid and collagen synthesis, and worked particularly well on test subjects who typically experienced dry and dehydrated skin. This makes it a great fit for winter skin care routines!

But What Does That Mean For You and Your Skin When It Comes to Using This Ingredient?

Pycnogenol® is gaining popularity in the skin care world for its ability to give skin a bouncier, plumper and more hydrated appearance. If you find your skin is lacking a glow and you’re looking to repair damage from this summer’s UV and pollution exposure, look for products that feature this powerhouse ingredient. For dry and dehydrated skin types, Pycnogenol® can be especially helpful for restoring a dewy glow to the skin.

We suggest trying Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum. From their beloved Licorice line, Acwell combines licorice root extract’s brightening properties with Pycnogenol’s ability to plump up fine lines and draw in hydration to create an all-star serum that will get you glowing fast. 

Apply a few drops of this water-like serum all over after cleansing for a boost of protective hydration. If you have dry spots, pat on an extra layer where needed to lock in moisture all day long. 

+Have you tried adding Pycnogenol® to your routine yet? Let us know about your results in the comments!

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