Horse chestnut in anti-aging skin care products

The extract of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) has some wonderful properties for cosmetic product application and especially so for anti-aging skin care products.

Horse chestnut extract is used in the following anti-aging skin products: Rejuvenating Face Wash Rejuvenating Toner Rejuvenating Serum Rejuvenating Day Cream Rejuvenating Night Cream Rejuvenating Eye Cream Rejuvenating Neck Cream Rejuvenating Face Scrub Rejuvenating Face Mask Purifying Face Mask Problem Skin Face Wash Problem Skin Toner Problem Skin Day Gel Problem Skin Night Lotion Problem Skin Spot Treatment Problem Skin Enzyme Cleanse Problem Skin Face Mask

We have using horse chestnut extract in our range of Dermaxime anti-aging skin care products for some time although other manufacturers are only now waking up to the benefits it has on the health of the skin ^{REF 225}.

On this page

• Clinical studies on Horse Chestnut
• Benefits of Horse Chestnut on the skin
• Summary of the advantages of Horse Chestnut extract on the skin 
• Origins of Horse Chestnut extract and its classification

Clinical studies on Horse Chestnut

Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of horse chestnut and its active ingredient – escin - on improving the health of the skin - the benefits is has on veins and capillaries, and the strengthening effect is has on them. ^{General reference 228 - 247}

Benefits of Horse Chestnut on the skin

Apart from improving the health of veins and capillaries ^{REF 218}, it also improves circulation in the skin ^{REF 226}, and since it strengthens the capillaries – it helps to prevent “capillary fragility” which leads to "leaking" from the capillaries into the tissue, which causes oedema ^{REF 222}.

Puffiness and edema, caused by capillary leaking, is prevented and corrected with the application of this compound and the triterpene glycoside contains anti-exudative and vascular astringent ^{REF 227}, which reduces the lysosomal enzymes activity, which normally is found in people with problems with their veins and circulation.

It also assists in reducing the breakdown of glycoacalyx (mucopolysaccharides) in the capillary walls.

It acts as an antioxidant ^{REF 223}, to inhibit the enzymes collagenase and elastase, which results in healthier collagen and supportive skin structures, leading to a healthier, younger looking skin, while the excellent anti-inflammatory action ^{REF 220} further promotes a clear healthy skin – making it a clear favorite for use in anti-aging skin care products.

Summary of the advantages of Horse Chestnut extract on the skin

To summarize the benefits of horse chestnut extract: it is a compound that protects and strengthens the veins and capillaries ^{REF 219}, prevents cellular filtration (leaking), promotes better and healthier collagen ^{REF 221}, fights inflammation ^{Ref 224} - thus making it an all-round promoter of better, healthier and younger looking skin. ^{REF 66 - 82}

Because of all the wonderful qualities of horse chestnut extract, it is one of our "signature ingredients" and is found in the majority of our products.

Origins of Horse Chestnut extract and its classification

It is extracted from the nut of the horse chestnut tree, Aesculus hippocastanum and is classified as a biological product and is used as a miscellaneous skin-conditioning agent.

The main compounds are triterpenic saponins (10%) of which the main component is ß-Aescin(1), (which is a heteroside of protoaescigenin, a pentacyclic triterpene of the oleanic group). It also contains flavonoid derivates, glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol, giving it its yellow colour.