Pomegranate Oil
For Aging Skin

Reduces skin wrinkling and aging. For ages people have used natural solutions to treat aging skin. It's said that Cleopatra bathed in milk to soften and enhance her skin. In the modern day, oil derived from the pomegranate fruit appears to have some potential for enhancing the appearance of aging skin. This ancient fruit, native to Southeastern Asia, is being studied for its role in reducing the signs of skin aging. Although all parts of the pomegranate plant appear to have beneficial effects on the skin, including the leaves, seed, and peel; the oil is emerging as a key player when it comes to slowing down the effects of skin aging.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Pomegranate oil, derived from the seed of the plant, appears to cause changes in the outer layers of the skin that may help to reduce skin wrinkling and aging. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that pomegranate oil stimulates keratinocytes, the major cells found in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. It appears that pomegranate seed oil may help to regenerate these cells and, in turn, offset the appearance of aging skin.

Why Is Pomegranate Good for the Skin. Although the oil had no effect on collagen synthesis in this study, pomegranate peel extract did, suggesting that more than one part of the pomegranate fruit could have anti-aging effects. Pomegranate oil from pomegranate seeds is a rich source of a unique polyunsaturated acid known as punicic acid which has strong anti-inflammatory properties; and the oil is also known to have anti-oxidant effects. Punicic acid has been shown to have stop growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory, but it’s unclear what role it plays in skin aging or whether it’s the ingredient in pomegranate oil responsible for the anti-aging benefits.

In response to studies, a variety of companies are coming out with pomegranate oil skin care lines. Although this is one way to get the benefits of pomegranate oil, another option is to purchase small bottles of pure pomegranate oil at health food stores and natural food markets to use as a moisturizer and anti-aging serum. Although more studies are needed to determine the long term effects of the oil on the skin, it appears to be safe for topical use. It’s also thought to be an effective treatment for eczema and other skin irritations due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Could pomegranate oil be an inexpensive
treatment for aging skin? It looks promising.