What is ginseng? Why should you use it?
What's the story
Popularly found in Asia and parts of North America, ginseng is a well-known herb that has been used as a medicinal supplement in Chinese medicine for centuries.
Packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginseng is a significant part of Korean skincare products as it helps reduce signs of aging, besides lightening and brightening your skin.
Here are five skincare benefits of ginseng.
Context
Here's what our expert says
Ginseng is a herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
It has significant amounts of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties along with vitamins B1, B2, and B12.
The alkaloids in it make it good for skin conditions like hyperpigmentation, blackheads, pimples, pores, and acne. It is also used for its anti-aging properties against wrinkles and sagging of skin.
Skin aging
Helps treat fine lines and wrinkles
Wrinkles and fine lines are aging signs and are the most common skin concerns among women.
However, ginseng can help treat wrinkles and fine lines by boosting the circulation of the skin's smallest blood vessels and promoting collagen synthesis.
It also protects your skin against harmful UV radiation that can make the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines worse.
Skin brightening
Brightens and lightens your skin
Ginseng is highly effective in preventing the production of melanin, an amino acid that can lead to dark spots on the skin.
Loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, it helps treat hyperpigmentation, discoloration, or melasma and brightens and lightens your skin complexion.
With bioactive compounds like pectin, saponins, polysaccharides, and vitamins B1, B2, and B12 in them, ginseng can also make your skin glow.
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces skin inflammation
Great for sensitive skin, the anti-inflammatory properties in ginseng helps reduce inflammation in the skin, thereby soothing redness and puffiness.
It also helps relieve skin dryness, mild rashes, breakouts, itchiness, burning, and raised bumps, or cracks.
According to research, ginseng can help reduce inflammation in patients with atopic dermatitis by maintaining a functional skin barrier and increasing moisture in the skin.
Oil production balance
Balances the production of oil in your skin
Ginseng helps protect your skin against various environmental pollutants like dust, dirt, grime, etc., and makes it healthy and clear.
The anti-acne and anti-microbial properties of ginseng balance oil production in the skin and give you a natural and healthy glow.
If you have oily skin, this ingredient will work wonders for you and help prevent clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts.
Skin elasticity
Increases skin elasticity
Elastin is necessary to maintain the glow and firmness of our skin.
However, your skin loses its ability to retain elasticity as soon as it starts aging which can lead to saggy, lifeless, and loose skin.
Ginseng can help restore skin elasticity and give you tighter and smoother skin.
According to studies, Korean red ginseng contains polysaccharides that tighten your skin.