If you’ve never heard of bilberries, you may notice they look very much like blueberries, that’s because they are blueberry’s distant relatives! Bilberries are berries native to Northern Europe. They aren’t found very easily in markets here in America but are known to hold many transformative benefits. You probably know all about how blueberries are very rich in antioxidants and the same can be said for bilberries. Bilberry extract has started to make its way into skincare for its soothing and clearing affects. The following are 4 ways bilberry can help transform your skin.
1. Brightens & protects skin from free radicals. Bilberry carries large amounts of antioxidants. This means it helps strengthen your skin’s barrier and reduce free radical damage. Free radicals like UV rays and air pollution can damage your skin and cause oxidative stress. This results in the appearance of dry, dull skin while contributing to dark spots and skin discoloration. This means, the antioxidants found in bilberry can also lighten hyperpigmentation and dark spots for a bright, glowing complexion.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties to combat breakouts. Bilberries contain a plethora of nutrients like zinc and vitamins A, B, C, E & K. All these vitamins and nutrients help protect your skin against blemishes and breakouts. Most of the vitamins found in bilberry work as an anti-inflammatory which help promote smooth, clear skin. They allow your skin to maintain a healthy dermis and epidermis layer while providing a defense from breakout-causing bacteria. The anti-inflammatory properties in bilberry are great for those who struggle with acne, as it works to soothe any redness that causes pimples to appear larger and more irritated.
3. Demonstrates anti-aging results. Bilberry helps promote younger-looking skin in several ways. First, the tannin content found in bilberries make them an effective astringent. This means it helps tighten and tone your skin while also locking in much needed moisture for long-lasting hydration. Because, as you know, dehydrated skin leads to more fine lines and signs of aging. Second, bilberries contain large amounts of antioxidants, so they protect your skin from free radicals. As previously mentioned, free radicals like the sun, contribute to skin damage and even increase fine lines and age spots on your skin. Bilberries ensure your skin is protected against these aggressors so you can reveal younger-looking skin.
How to add bilberries in your skin care routine.
The best way for your skin to reap the benefits of this unique ingredient is by applying it topically through a cleanser, serum or moisturizer. This ingredient works well for any skin type as it is soothing and anti-inflammatory. If you want to soothe redness or irritation on your skin, try incorporating bilberry through a cleanser like FYAB Health’s Foaming Cleanser. This will give you a calm, clean canvas to base the rest of your skincare off of. If your goal is to utilize the bilberry’s antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free radicals, FYAB’s Renewal Serum incorporates this ingredient and allows it to really soak into your skin so that you can truly strengthen your skin’s barrier.
SOURCES:
Piazza, S., Fumagalli, M., Khalilpour, S., Martinelli, G., Magnavacca, A., Dell’Agli, M., & Sangiovanni, E. (2020). A Review of the Potential Benefits of Plants Producing Berries in Skin Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(6), 542. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9060542
Heberlé, Graziela. (2012). COSMETIC FORMULATIONS CONTAINING BLUEBERRY EXTRACTS (VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS L.). Tojsat: The Online Journal of Science and Technology. 2.
Chu W, Cheung SCM, Lau RAW, et al. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92770/
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