In the maritime pine of the Landes, nothing is lost, everything is used! After cutting wood for furniture and stationery, the bark considered as a by-product is recovered. It indeed contains an exceptional ingredient, which combines antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activities.
The story begins in 1534, when the navigator Jacques Cartier landed in North America. Sick of scurvy, he was treated by the natives, with decoctions of maritime pine bark. A few centuries later, Pr Jacques Masquelier, at the University of Bordeaux, discovered and patented the active ingredient called Pycnogenol, an extract made up of antioxidants (procyanidins and bioflavonoids),fruit acids and organic acids.
Bought by a pharmaceutical company (Horphag), more than a hundred clinical studies and as many publications have proven the effectiveness of this molecule: orally, for the immune system, heart health, reduction of joint pain , improvement of vision and blood circulation and beauty of the skin. The other polyphenols (antioxidants) from pine bark are also exploited under the generic term of OPC (oligo-proanthocyanidins). The Ixxi brand, established in the South-West, also exploits the profits of this OPC. These assets are very powerful and their field of action is wide.
Maritime pine must be 30 to 50 years old to be exploited. The molecules of interest are located in the bark, a few centimeters from the outer layer. The pieces are gradually crushed, then brought into contact with a natural alcohol in order to recover the molecules.
It prevents the appearance of wrinkles
All pine polyphenols are powerful antioxidants capable of neutralizing free radicals in oxygen and regenerating vitamin C. Taken as a food supplement, Pycnogenol is 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more than vitamin C. The Ixxi pine OPC, on the other hand, is 30 times more powerful than vitamin C and 4 times more than vitamin E in local application. Applied to the skin, it acts quickly on radiance and has a long-term preventive action on wrinkles and skin. relaxation.
The various pine polyphenols act with hydroxyproline, an amino acid present exclusively in collagen and elastin. They stimulate the synthesis of different collagens and elastin, and also prevent the breakdown of collagen. They thus make it possible to act directly on wrinkles, firmness and elasticity of the skin. In addition, Pycnogenol increases the level ofhyaluronic acid in the skin, which promotes hydration, and restores its suppleness.
It acts on radiance and against dark spots
In addition, several types of pine polyphenols inhibit and reduce stain formation. They thus act on the uniformity of the complexion. Pycnogenol, in particular, stimulates the skin microcirculation, ensuring a better supply of oxygen and nutrients, as well as an improvement in the hydration of the skin and the elimination of waste. It also strengthens the walls of blood capillaries. This benefit, coupled with anti-oxidant and anti-dark spot actions, improves the radiance of the complexion.
It soothes sunburns and acne
Taken as a dietary supplement or applied to the skin, Pycnogenol also has the specificity of reducing inflammation due to exposure to UV rays. In prevention, it protects against sunburn and, as a cure, reduces inflammatory reactions linked to sunburn, thanks to the procyanidins (tannins rich in antioxidants) it contains. Because of this anti-inflammatory action, it is also effective in the treatment ofacne and has antimicrobial activity.
Thanks to Sébastien Bornet, global marketing director of Horphag laboratories and to Cécile Brun, scientific communication director of Ixxi.
Read also :
Severe acne, a real social handicap for many teens
Brown spots on the skin: there is something new!
Anti-aging: how do the diagnoses work?
