Chebula

Why you should be adding it to your skincare regime?

Said to be more potent than vitamin C, the latest skincare antioxidant should be worthy of your attention, and here’s why…

Chebula might sound like the sexy new skincare ingredient, but it has actually been used for centuries in ancient Ayurvedic medicine.

Known as the ‘King of Herbs,’ it boasts an array of skincare benefits, so should you be adding it to your daily regime?

Terminalis Chebula herb, and especially its fruits, are well-known. Among Tibetans, TC is highly revered for its purfiying attributes; in fact, its fruit is depicted in the hands of the medicine Buddha in sacred paintings. These small, round and brownish-coloured fruits were historically used to normalise the general balance of the body.

Terminalia Chebula (TC) is a deciduous tree of which extracts have demonstrated efficacy for treatment of photodamage, skin ageing, and wound healing. It has been extensively studied in India, for its antioxidant properties and used in traditional medicines as food & dietary supplements.

Functionally important TC extract responses occur in the epidermis and are therefore not restricted to the dermal layer. Our findings thus suggest mechanisms by which TC may strengthen full-thickness skin architecture for treatment of skin ageing and/or chronic wounds.

Vitamins

Chebula is packed with vitamin C and K, both of which have a rejuvenating and regenerative effect on the skin, helping protect it from environmental damage.

Antioxidant protection

Antioxidants neutralise free radicals that damage our skin by clinging to collagen and weakening the skin’s elasticity. Chebula is a cascading antioxidant, which means once it’s done fighting a free radical, it reacts by taking a new form that can fight the next free radical, and so on. This is why it is believed to tackle free radical damage for a longer period of time than other antioxidants–in fact it’s said to be more potent than vitamins C and E.

ORAC measures the scavenging capacity of an antioxidant against a cell-damaging peroxyl radicals

Hydration

Chebula helps increase the moisture content of the skin, especially when paired with other moisturising skincare products and ingredients.

Skin barrier protection

It’s no secret that the sun’s ultraviolet rays have accumulating and long-term damaging effects on the skin. Too much sun damages the melanin in the outer layer of the skin, reducing its overall elasticity. This reduced elasticity causes premature ageing. Chebula’s antioxidative properties help protect damage caused by UV rays, which ultimately leads to brighter, more youthful skin. Used topically, chebula improves the skin’s barrier function, helping shield it from the sun’s harmful rays.

How should it be used?

Chebula is a great ingredient to include in your daily skincare routine. Its high antioxidant effect makes it a great choice for those living where air pollution, cigarette smoke and therefore free radicals are ever present.

The ingredient can be found in serums and masks, and due to its protective effect is best used in the morning followed by your daily SPF. If your skin responds well, it can also be included in your evening routine.

Anything to be aware of?

As a main skincare ingredient, chebula is quite new to the beauty world. Nothing has been noted as far as issues or side effects but it’s still early days, so it’s best to apply it once to see how your skin responds and build up from there. As with all products, what works for some may not work for others.