Uncaria unveiled as new natural anti-ageing ingredient

Exciting news emerged last week of a new natural anti-ageing ingredient.

Rhamnose, derived from the tropical Uncaria flower, is said to have proven regenerative properties that can counteract the ageing process.

According to researchers L’Oreal, Rhamnose tricks skin cells into producing collagen, a chemical that plumps the skin, increases its elasticity and reduces the depth of wrinkles.

Incorporated into a cream, the ingredient was tested on 400 women aged from 50 to 70. When applied once a day for 8 weeks, skin cells produced levels of collagen normally found in much younger women.

Though there are already many collagen-containing products on the market, questions have been raised as to whether the molecules are too big to penetrate the epidermis.