Super Food Masque feeds sunburned skin

The Super Food Anti Oxidant Masque has been developed to help minimise free radical damage and inflammation caused by too much sun exposure, which leads to premature ageing of the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Both blueberries and pomegranates are known as super antioxidants. Antioxidants help ‘mop up’ free radicals, which are unstable substances that our bodies produce as we age. Their production is accelerated when sun damage occurs to the skin.

Blueberries contain a phytochemical called Anthocyanin, which has been proven to be one of the most powerful antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable. Studies show that Anthocyanin can protect against the cell damage that accelerates aging. Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Aging at Tufts University found that 2/3 cup of blueberries supplied the same antioxidant protection against free radicals as 1,773 IU of vitamin E or 1,270 milligrams of vitamin C.

Like blueberries, pomegranate is also a potent antioxidant. However pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) has the added benefit of boosting the skin’s natural SPF factor by as much as 25% - as well as protecting against skin cancer, meaning that PFE not only combats premature ageing but also limits potentially more serious health dangers caused by sun damage to the skin.

One study published last year in the International Journal of Cancer found that PFE
blocked skin tumour formation in mice exposed to a cancer-causing agent.

Pomegranates are high in polyphenols. The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate are hydrolysable tannins, particularly punicalagins, which have been shown in many research publications to be the antioxidant responsible for the free-radical scavenging ability of PFE.

Studies have also shown that another phytochemical called ellagic acid in pomegranate extract helps protect skin cells from free radical damage.

The Super Food Antioxidant Masque should be applied daily shortly after sun exposure to help minimise puffiness and sun-damage to the skin.

The Superfood Antioxidant Masque costs £8.99 and is available from www.skinshop.co.uk