As we edge towards summer and hopefully some much-needed sunshine we are hearing a lot about sun protection and preventative skincare. But now skin experts say we should upgrade your antioxidant game for dark spot prevention and more.
Introducing Pycnogenol (it's as difficult to spell it as it is to pronounce it, try pic-noj-en-all), a natural plant extract derived from French pine bark trees along the southwest coast of France. While vitamin C-based beauty products work on brightening complexions, boosting collagens and fading dark spots and hyperpigmentations, studies show Pycnogenol is 20 times more effective than vitamin C.
It has been around for years and it’s recently picking up speed in the skincare market and brands like The Ordinary, Vichy and Ren Clean Skincare have added the ingredient into their products. The Ordinary’s Pycnogenol 5%, £10.90, is a potent serum targeting dull skin and protecting your skin from the visible effects of damage caused by environmental aggressors.
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Pycnogenol’s antioxidant properties work to improve skin elasticity, regenerate collagen and increase hydration while fighting melasma (or dark spots). Dr. Fred Pescatore, Hollywood physician to A-listers like Sarah Jessica Parker and Renée Zellweger said: “Wrinkles are caused as our skin ages and loses hydration and elasticity.
"Certain antioxidants have been shown to help counter the effects of ageing and can be added to your daily routine in the form of natural supplements. I tell my patients to make sure they take a Pycnogenol supplement year-round since it helps to significantly retain skin hydration, increase skin elasticity, and reinforce skin barrier function.
"A recent study even specifically looked at Pycnogenol’s effectiveness during seasonal changes.” You can get Pycnogenol supplements from Holland and Barrett, £25.99, to improve healing of wounds and better hydration to support skin vitality.
I recently introduced The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% into my skincare routine and applied a few drops of deep red serum on my forehead and cheeks on my clean, dry face. Don’t worry if you are concerned the deep red colour will tint your skin, it didn’t on mine and in fact, it absorbed quickly before I moved on to apply heavier face cream.
Due to the photosensitive properties, I preferred to use it at night before sleep to test how my combination skin reacted overnight. While I had a beauty sleep, the active ingredient worked to protect elastic tissue proteins and regenerate collagen for a smooth and youthful look.
It’s not a one-time miracle but I woke up feeling hydrated with no grease over my T-zone. After a week of use, I noticed a natural pearlescent glow on my face and that’s without using any illuminator or highlighter. My face looks less textured and I could see a difference when I put on a foundation as it stays on the skin closer, rather than floating on the surface.
The extract from the maritime pink bark contains a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits backed up by over 40 years of research carried out by Swiss pharmaceutical company, Horphag Research.
Sébastien Bornet, vice president of global sales and marketing at Horphag Research, told the Mirror: "Pycnogenol helps our body to produce collagen so it's not delivered to the parts of body that didn't get absorbed. It also stimulates enzyme and hyaluronic acid to a 44% increase in body.
"Our recent study also showed Pycnogenol works on hair growth as we see a 30% increase of hair density among 63 menopausal women two months after taking Pycnogenol."
Pycnogenol can be used with vitamin C and it helps to boost the brightening benefits. Vichy's Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum, which Escentual has reduced the price from £42.50 to £36.10, contains 15% of vitamin C, Pycnogenol and pure hyaluronic acid. It claims to boost antioxidant defence, correct fine lines and brighten skin tone in 10 days.
Ren Clean Skincare incorporated Pycnogenol into their blemish treatment and you can get it from Boots. The maritime pink bark extract from the Clearcalm Non-Drying Spot Treatment, £16, helps repair the skin barrier while reducing the appearance of spot size.