Naturally Foxy skincare

Return to blog
Rubus idaeus L. Raspberry seed botanical extract

Rubus idaeus L. Raspberry seed botanical extract:

This voluptuous, beautiful extract offers many skin benefits including; moisturisation, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, occlusive, anti-aging, hydrating properties. Therefore it helps improve the elasticity of the skin, overall resiliene of the skin, helps to smooth, soften the skin and helps to improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Effects of Raspberry Seed oil/extract and its applications:

Anti-oxidant:
Raspberry seed extract has a very high content of Vitamin A and E. Studies conducted found the following:  The seed oil was rich in tocopherols with the following composition (mg/100 g): [alpha]-tocopherol 71; [gamma]-tocopherol 272; [delta]-tocopherol 17.4; and total vitamin E equivalent of 97 and it also has high levels of carotenoids (Vitamin A). The oil had good oxidation resistance and storage stability. Anti-oxidants have long been recognised for their major role in skin care. Anti-oxidants help counteract reactive oxygen species inhibiting oxidative damage to cells and tissues. This helps to reduce signs of aging and helps in the repair of damaged, over-exposed skin. 

High essential fatty acid levels:
Raspberry seed oil extract has a very high content of essential fatty acids, mainly linoleic and linolenic acids. Due to the high level of alpha-linolenic acid and phytosterols it offers anti-infammatory properties. High levels of linoleic acid 50-62% offers overall improvement in skin barrier repair function, reduces trans-epidermal water loss therefore improving the overall appearance and feel of the skin.

To conclude:
Raspberry seed botanical oil/extract has many amazing skin benefits and this is why I have included it  in some of my formulations. It is very good for dry, sensitive, dehyrated and maturing skin. It is moisturising, regenerative and improves the skin's elasticity. It is a light, dry, thin and long oil and has a medium absorption rate. I blend it with other lighter, drier oils and this helps to combat any greasy feel on the skin and also aids quick absorption.

References:

B. Dave Oomaha,, Stephanie Ladetb, David V. Godfreya, Jun Liangc, Benoit Girardaa (2000)  Characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seed oil Food Chemistry 69 (2000) 187-193
Food Research Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PaciÆc Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, British Columbia V0H 1Z0, CanadabE.N.S.A.M., E¬cole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Montpellier, 2, Place Pierre Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 1, FrancecShaanxi Fruit Crops Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China










Shea butter

Butryspermum paradoxum, B.parkii and B.paradoxa - All translate simply to Shea butter.

Hi everyone,
today I would like to talk about Shea butter, I love this butter and this is why you will see it usually as my first ingredient in my balms and body butters. So let us take a look at this wonderful tree, its history, traditional uses and its effects. 
Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nut of African shea tree. The tree is native and grows in the wild of the dry savanna belt of West Africa, from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the East. It is regarded as a sacred tree by many local communities and ethnic groups. The Shea tree is considered to possess spiritual protective powers and plays very important roles in religious and cultural ceremonies. It has been declared to hold potentials to help improve nutrition, increase food supply in the annual hungry season, encourage rural development, and to promote sustainable land care.
Traditionally many parts of the tree are utilised to treat enteric (gut) infections, skin diseases and wound infections. The bark is used to suppress cough and also to treat leprosy. Shea butter is used by local healers as a therapeutic to treat rheumatism, inflammation of the nasal cavity, congestion, leprosy, cough, stretch marks, insect repellent, and minor bone dislocation. The low quality butter and by-products of processed nuts are used a waterproof to protect walls of earthen houses during the rainy season. This is pretty amazing yeah!!!
Effects of Shea butter
Emollient and skin moisturiser: 
Shea butter melts on contact with the skin, acts as a "refatting" agent, absorbs nicely into the skin, possesses good water-binding properties. In an article titled 'Winter Itch', Shea butter was recommended for repairing dry, inflamed, damaged skin caused by dermatitis and as a night time moisturiser for the hands and feet. In another study by Poelman and co workers, it was found that daily application maintains an excellent moisturisation of the superficial layers of the skin. It has also been shown to decrease transepidermal loss (amount of water that is evaporated through the skin, water loss). It has also been demonstrated to be effective as an emollient for eczema.
Anti-aging properties: 
It has been demonstrated that Shea butter helps tissue cell regeneration and softens the skin. In a clinical study involving 30 volunteers, Renard reported that Shea butter reduced various aging signs and in a separate study showed it prevented photo-aging. In another animal study it demonstrated to boost collagen production. Collagen and elastin are the major structural components of our skin which change as we progress through life.
Anti-inflammatory properties:
The anti-inflammatory effects of Shea butter have been demonstrated through inhibition of specific pathways; which we do not need to get into, unless you would like too! We just need to know it reduces inflammation and will reduce reaction to skin irritants.
Interesting fact:
Although the Shea nut is related to Brazil nut which cross-reacts with hazelnut, almond and peanut, no reports of allergy reaction have been reported either through topical application or oral use of Shea butter. 

So I conclude that I have picked a really effective, nourishing, regenerating butter to use as the main ingredient in balms and butters. I hope you found this article interesting and look forward to sharing more with you. 

See you soon

Lisa
Naturally Foxy Skincare

I acknowledge references below:

Malachi Oluwasey Israel. Effects of Topical and Dietary use of Shea Butter on animals. American Journal of Life Sciences. Vol. 2, No.5, 2014, pp303-307
Soladoye M O, Orhiere S S, Ibimode B M (1989) Ethanobotanical Study of two Indigenous Multipurpose plants in the Guinea Savanna of Kwara State
Ferry MP, Gessain M, GEEAIN R (1974) Vegetative propagation of Shea, Kola and Pentadesma. Cocoa research institute
Loden M, Andersson A C (2008) Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin. British Journal of Dermatology. Vol.134, issue 2, pp 215-220.
Social
Contact us

Ireland

 

© All rights reserved