The team at Tata Harper tell us why Alfalfa is vital to their Estate Grown Beauty Complex At the Tata Harper estate in Vermont, we have a large botanic garden where we grow our powerful herbs and botanicals for the skin. Five of the herbs, including Alfalfa, make up The Estate Grown Beauty Complex which is added to every single product in the Tata Harper Skincare range. This complex provides benefits that are essential to healthy skin: ALFALFA Alfalfa is wild harvested on our farm and has a high chlorophyll content that improves oxygenation of the skin. Benefits: -Vitamin D: Helps minimise acne, boost elasticity, stimulate collagen production, enhance radiance, improve the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. - Vitamin E: Antioxidant that prevents the formation of wrinkles by blocking free radical damage. Boosts collagen production to keep skin elastic and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Helps to lighten and smooth rough skin. - Biotin/ Vitamin B7/Coenzyme R/Vitamin H: Prevents severe dry skin and rashes, strengthens hair and nails - Vitamin K: Improves elasticity of skin and blood vessels, noticeably reduces dark circles and puffiness around the eyes - Vitamin B1: Antioxidant that helps to increase blood circulation. Protects from the effects of ageing. - Vitamin B6: Helps maintain good skin condition. Treats a number of skin problems, including eczema, dandruff, acne, hair loss, and dry skin. - Vitamin B12: Reduces redness, dryness, inflammation and acne blemishes. Can be applied to the skin for psoriasis and eczema. BORAGE Borage is packed with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that provide nourishment to the skin. Benefits: -Commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema - Omega 6, Omega 9 Fatty Acids: Building blocks for skin barrier function, structural integrity, the appearance of skin texture, anti-inflammatory responses. - Vitamin C: Antioxidant activity of vitamin C protects against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals, improves skin elasticity and volume (plumping), decreases wrinkling, decreases roughness, and increases production of collagen which promotes skin repair and regeneration. - Vitamin A: Thickens and stimulates the dermis, reduces wrinkles, increases the deposition of collagen & slows the normal ageing breakdown of collagen and elastin. - Vitamin B3/Niacin: Metabolizes to niacinamide which increases fibroblast production, decreases wrinkles and fine lines, and evens skin tone. - Minerals: iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium. ARNICA Arnica is an amazing anti-inflammatory plant that soothes the skin to create even and smooth tone. Benefits: - Well known analgesic and anti-inflammatory - Lactones: Helenalin and other lactones produce strong anti-inflammatory effects - Carotenoids (α and β carotene): Antioxidants. Metabolized into Vitamin A, which thickens and stimulates the dermis, reduces wrinkles, increases the deposition of collagen, slows the normal ageing breakdown of collagen and elastin - Flavonoids: Minimize adverse skin reactions to UV radiation, strong antioxidant activity that strengthens blood vessels and stabilizes collagen and elastin - Acids (gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic) produce analgesic effects - Acids and thymol produce antibacterial activity MEADOWSWEET Meadowsweet is high in salicylic acid which helps to increase cellular turnover and reduce sebum levels. Benefits: - Reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands by inhibiting the activity of 5a-reductase - Tannins (gallotannins and ellagitannins): Have an astringent effect by constricting tissues and contracting pores (Less accumulation of sebum in the pores causes less growth of acne-causing bacteria) - Salicylates: Strong anti-inflammatories - Flavonoids: Minimize adverse skin reactions to UV radiation, powerful antioxidants that strengthen blood vessels and stabilize collagen and elastin. CALENDULA Calendula is a beautiful orange flower that is soothing and nourishing. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant which helps to strengthen the skin tissues. Benefits: - Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Moisturizer - Flavonoids: Minimize adverse skin reactions to UV radiation, strong antioxidant activity that strengthens blood vessels and stabilizes collagen and elastin - Carotenoids (α and β carotene): Antioxidants. Metabolized into Vitamin A, which thickens and stimulates the dermis, reduces wrinkles, increases the deposition of collagen, slows the normal ageing breakdown of collagen and elastin. Shop here for Tata Harper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trk3RP8FCrc