Pomegranate – an effective ingredient in skincare

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants – it has been cultivated for around 5,000 years. The plant is native to southwest Asia, in particular Iran and Afghanistan. Today, the pomegranate is grown mainly in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India and South America. In many religions and cultures it has been seen as a symbol of life, fertility and strength since ancient times. In its harsh native environment, it symbolises abundance and vitality. The pomegranate tree can grow up to five metres tall and can live up to 200 years or more. Inconspicuous yet robust, its fruits are tough, leathery and brightly coloured on the outside, and juicy and fruity on the inside. 

The active ingredients contained in pomegranates are ideally suited for skincare. At Weleda, we develop our products with a holistic understanding of the changes that take place in the skin as time goes by. We pay equal attention to the external appearance and the active components of plants, use them to address specific stages in life. For our pomegranate products we use this approach to support the skin’s physiological functions and vitality. The holistic composition is also designed to support our sense of confidence and inner radiance. The fruit itself shows parallels to the life phase that begins around the age of 40. A ripe pomegranate bears visible traces of maturity on the outside. Its robust, firm husk protects its precious contents: plump, costly seeds bursting with vitality. On closer inspection, the sepals and stamens from the flowering period are still clearly visible on the outer tip. The tree bears fruits and flowers at the same time. The pomegranate exudes both youthfulness and maturity. 

As time passes, our skin becomes more vulnerable to external influences and takes longer to regenerate. One factor behind these changes are free radicals, which attack the body’s cells, particularly proteins and other elements in our cells and tissues. As we grow older, the skin’s ability to intercept these free radicals decreases, and its natural protection against them becomes unbalanced. More and more free radicals that can cause damage to cells affect the skin. Additional oxidative stress resulting from environmental factors such as excessive UV light, ozone, cigarette smoke or alcohol can accelerate this process. 

The properties of cold-pressed pomegranate oil make it an ideal component for skincare from the age of 40. Pomegranate seeds have an average oil content of between 12 and 20 percent. What makes pomegranate seed oil truly special is the punicic acid that it contains. This polyunsaturated fatty acid belongs to the omega-5 group of fatty acids. It accounts for about half of the fatty acids contained in the oil. The precious oil is extracted from the dried seeds of the pomegranate. 

Properties and uses of pomegranate oil:

• yellow to reddish oil
• antioxidant effect
• promotes cell renewal and skin regeneration
• excellent nourishing oil for ageing, stressed and dry skin

Pomegranate seed oil, and especially the precious punicic acid it contains, has a potent antioxidant effect and can help to break down free radicals. It also stimulates cell renewal. This makes pomegranate seed oil an excellent natural active ingredient for ageing skin. 

Weleda harnesses the power of the pomegranate to activate the skin’s natural innate regenerative cycles to counteract premature ageing. The skin becomes firmer, feels tighter and its natural radiance is enhanced. 

Weleda’s Firming Face Care range with pomegranate and maca peptides harnesses the power of these natural ingredients to counteract the signs of skin ageing. At the heart of these innovative formulas is a unique combination of antioxidant pomegranate seed oil and peptides from organic maca root, which boosts the skin’s natural regeneration processes. Specially developed for skin over 40, these formulas moisturise, reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity and tone, countering the visible signs of ageing. For firmer skin that glows with natural radiance.