July 18, 2016
Kakadu Plum - why this Australian Superfood is your skins new best friend
Kakadu plum is a bright green native fruit that grows wild in Northern Australia. It flourishes in a very harsh, arid environment and survives thanks to its ability to protect itself from oxidative stress caused by the unrelenting Australian sun. It has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people as a source of food, nutrition and traditional medicine. Now thanks to studies conducted by CSIRO and Southern Cross University Australian ‘Bush Tucker’ is now in the worlds spotlight with Kakadu Plum (Terminalia Ferdinandiana) also known as Gumbinge, Billgoat plum, Murunga or wild plum gaining superfood status and finding its way into mainstream cosmetics. So what’s all the fuss about?
Kakadu plum contains the highest amount of vitamin C of ALL natural foods. Studies show the content of Vitamin C in Kakadu plum to be as high as 3700mg per 100g of fruit compared to rosehip having 2000mg per 100g and oranges with only 50mg per 100g. As we know Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and a necessary nutrient in the formation of collagen - something that unfortunately slows down as we age. So Vitamin C is a very, very important nutrient when it comes to reducing wrinkles and improving the structure and elasticity of the skin. Studies have also shown that Vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV) induced photodamage caused by free radicals. Another important factor in delivering bio active vitamin C topically via skincare is that Vitamin C is notoriously unstable and dissipates rapidly in solution. Native Extracts an Australian botanical extract company that uses an advanced “cellular” extraction method has produced a Kakadu plum extract that has been shown via independent analysis (Southern Cross University) to stabilise Vitamin C in an aqueous solution for up to twelve months. This means that skincare companies using this particular extract can confidently formulate the most effective anti-ageing products.
Kakadu plum exhibits both strong antioxidant and cyto(cellular)protective properties displaying superior ORAC, oxygen radical-scavenging capacity - 236% that of blueberries according to a CSRIO study into the Antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of native Australian fruits. So what exactly does this mean for my skin? Rusting iron or the browning of a freshly cut apple both have something in common with the discolouration, wrinkles and fine lines of our ageing skin – oxidation. Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage like the vitamin C in the lemon juice we squeeze over the apple or the antioxidant rich serums we apply to our skin.
Kakadu plum is a rich mixture of complex bio actives and also contains Phenolic acid another powerful antioxidant that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains strong anti-inflammatory compounds such as Gallic acid and Ellagic acid known to encourage elasticity and suppleness in ageing and sun damaged skin.
A synergistic blend of collagen promoting vitamin c, free radical fighting antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and skin healing bio actives – what’s not to love about this wild Australian superfruit when it comes to looking after your skin??
Kakadu plum contains the highest amount of vitamin C of ALL natural foods. Studies show the content of Vitamin C in Kakadu plum to be as high as 3700mg per 100g of fruit compared to rosehip having 2000mg per 100g and oranges with only 50mg per 100g. As we know Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and a necessary nutrient in the formation of collagen - something that unfortunately slows down as we age. So Vitamin C is a very, very important nutrient when it comes to reducing wrinkles and improving the structure and elasticity of the skin. Studies have also shown that Vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV) induced photodamage caused by free radicals. Another important factor in delivering bio active vitamin C topically via skincare is that Vitamin C is notoriously unstable and dissipates rapidly in solution. Native Extracts an Australian botanical extract company that uses an advanced “cellular” extraction method has produced a Kakadu plum extract that has been shown via independent analysis (Southern Cross University) to stabilise Vitamin C in an aqueous solution for up to twelve months. This means that skincare companies using this particular extract can confidently formulate the most effective anti-ageing products.
Kakadu plum exhibits both strong antioxidant and cyto(cellular)protective properties displaying superior ORAC, oxygen radical-scavenging capacity - 236% that of blueberries according to a CSRIO study into the Antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of native Australian fruits. So what exactly does this mean for my skin? Rusting iron or the browning of a freshly cut apple both have something in common with the discolouration, wrinkles and fine lines of our ageing skin – oxidation. Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage like the vitamin C in the lemon juice we squeeze over the apple or the antioxidant rich serums we apply to our skin.
Kakadu plum is a rich mixture of complex bio actives and also contains Phenolic acid another powerful antioxidant that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains strong anti-inflammatory compounds such as Gallic acid and Ellagic acid known to encourage elasticity and suppleness in ageing and sun damaged skin.
A synergistic blend of collagen promoting vitamin c, free radical fighting antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and skin healing bio actives – what’s not to love about this wild Australian superfruit when it comes to looking after your skin??