A Skincare Brand Established by Scientists to create Exercise-Like Effects on Skin
It is common knowledge that exercise is beneficial for our overall health. Apart from its well-known advantages for our cardiovascular system, lungs, and mental well-being, the impact of exercise on our skin is less understood but significant. The increased heart rate during exercise leads to improved blood flow and circulation, which helps in nourishing and revitalizing skin cells. Moreover, sweating during exercise accelerates the removal of dead skin cells. Additionally, exercise acts as a stress reliever, reducing cortisol levels and decreasing inflammation in the body. This is where the innovative skincare brand HERB+FLORA comes in.
HERB+FLORA was founded in 2019 by Marie-Pierre Stark Flora and Guillaume Herbette. The brand takes a novel, holistic approach to youthful energy recovery through both topical and ingestible products. By combining their expertise in sports, science, and clean beauty, the brand introduced the Exercise Mimic Youth Complex, which blends exercise science with skincare. Here’s a look at the scientific explanation behind the brand’s products by their scientific partner, Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, renowned for his extensive research in autophagy and mitochondrial health over three decades.
What are the main effects of exercise on the skin?
Dr. Tarnopolsky reveals that exercise is associated with a thicker dermis and thinner stratum corneum in older adults. This indicates that exercise can reverse oxidative stress, a common cause of aging signs in the skin, and enhance the body’s ability to initiate autophagy, the process of clearing away dead skin cells. Sweat from exercise helps in clearing the skin’s pores and delivering minerals for a healthier complexion. The “post-workout glow” phenomenon is attributed to vasodilatation during exercise, which can last from minutes to an hour. Stark Flora shared that their topical serum was proven in a consumer test to provide a radiant, healthy glow to the skin after just eight days of use, thanks to its antioxidant-rich formula containing alpha- and poly-hydroxy acids and autophagy-activating asparagus extract.
Which aspects of exercise does the brand seek to replicate with its new products?
Skin aging is influenced by mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased antioxidant capacity, and reduced autophagy. Exercise stimulates these processes by activating a signaling molecule called AMPK. The brand aims to enhance these benefits by incorporating topicals with antioxidants, mitochondrial enhancers, and autophagy activators, as well as ingestibles containing a blend of nutraceuticals.
When should one include the Exercise Complex in their routine?
Stark Flora recommends that individuals, from sedentary individuals to elite athletes, can benefit from the Exercise Complex to enhance skin health. The Skin Fit Program offers a comprehensive regimen from inside out, combining the topical serum and eye gel applied twice daily for optimal results, ingestibles taken in the morning, and an anti-aging pillowcase for night treatment. In essence, you don’t need intense physical activity to enjoy the skin benefits of exercise.
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