Why use quince in cosmetic formulations?
Jams, jellies, fruit jellies… The quince has been making its way into French cuisine for several years now. With its fruity, slightly tart flavour, this yellow, pear-shaped fruit is sure to delight the palates of young and old alike.
But did you know that quince has so much more to offer? Thanks to its vitamin C and antioxidant content, it is an ideal ally for the skin.
Without further ado, discover the benefits of quince for your skin !
The history of quince
A cousin of the apple and pear, the quince was already being cultivated 4,000 years before our era. Originating in the Balkans and on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the quince went on to become a delicacy that the Romans loved. They were fond of sweet and savoury dishes, such as stews with honey or leeks.
But the quince was not only used in cooking: in Rome, its seeds were also used in perfumery and medicine.
Since then, the quince tree has become established throughout Europe. Of the thirty or so varieties in existence, only a few are grown for their fruit. The most popular comes from the region of Chania, in the north of Crete. Other quince varieties are used as rootstocks for pear trees, to make them more resistant.
The cosmetic properties of quince for the skin
Known to improve skin elasticity, quince helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. One of the main reasons for this is its vitamin Ccontent, also known as ascorbic acid. An indisputable beauty ingredient, vitamin C is essential for many of the processes that take place in our bodies. These include collagen synthesis. A genuine anti-ageing agent, collagen is particularly appreciated by people who want firmer, more supple skin.
Rich in flavonoids, quince is also a powerful antioxidant capable of protecting the skin against damage caused by free radicals. In fact, certain environmental factors can increase the number of free radicals present in the body, accentuating oxidative stress. This is the case, for example, with pollution or UV radiation. Thanks to the antioxidants present in quince, the formation of free radicals in the body is limited, and the skin is protected from ageing.
Finally, quince has strong moisturising properties and prevents skin inflammation.
Parts of the quince to use in cosmetic formulations
To design cosmetic products that meet consumers’ needs, manufacturers in the sector take a close interest in the parts of the fruit (or plant) that contain the most virtues.
Quince seeds contain the most benefits. And with good reason: thanks to their vitamin Ccontent, they offer incredible benefits for skin health. As well as promoting skin renewal, quince seeds play an important role in resolving pigmentation problems such as acne and sun spots.
Quince leaves help to eliminate fat and regulate the overproduction of fibres responsible for the rigidity of adipose tissue.
Ko’zen®, an active ingredient extracted from quince leaves
Do you have tight, irritated or sensitive skin? This is most likely due to skin hypersensitivity. This phenomenon is the result of an excessive inflammatory response by the skin to protect itself from everyday aggressions (pollution, changes in temperature, etc.).
Made from extracts of quince leaves, our Ko’zen® active ingredient protects the skin from external aggressions, leaving it supple and soothed. Thanks to its high polyphenol content, your skin is protected from oxidative stress. The result? Feelings of discomfort and tingling gradually disappear, giving way to smooth, healthy skin.
To find out more, visit the Ko’zen® product page.