*Photo Credit: Clum Lewis
World-renown dermatologist Harold Lancer treats some of the world’s most recognizable faces: Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian, to name just a few. His apparent ability to freeze the hands of time is unmatched. Earlier this year, Lancer released his signature cream, Lancer Legacy, which retails at a whopping $1,000 per 1.7 oz.
While the price tag on this cream is shocking, the justification for this price is even more surprising: the cream contains 31 active ingredients, most of which are extracts of common spices or food plants. Now, Dr. Lancer calls this cream “the culmination of his life’s work”, and it is probably very effective. This says a lot about the power of spices for beauty and anti-aging.
Everyone knows that spices can make food taste exciting and delicious. Spices also aid the body in many ways, from increasing circulation (e.g., ginger) and preventing oxidative damage (e.g., black pepper) to protecting the brain from dementia (e.g., turmeric) and boosting the body’s defenses against cancer (e.g., garlic). But the power of spices for beauty is largely untapped.
Many spices can help give you glowing skin and can make you grow thick, strong hair. Let’s take a look at a few common spices and what they can do for you:
- Ginger: This powerhouse spice is used in cuisines across the world, with good reason. For starters, ginger increases circulation, especially to the face and scalp. Thus, it promotes hair growth and boosts facial skin health by increasing the amount of nutrients that the skin receives. In addition, ginger is high in minerals and other micronutrients that are vital for skin health. Ginger has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels, combating PCOS-related skin conditions and hair loss. It helps to keep the digestive system healthy, which is a prerequisite to beautiful skin. In addition, ginger helps to kill parasites within the body, curbing the production of acne.
- Turmeric: This spice has been used for millennia in India and other parts of the world. Turmeric is extremely anti-inflammatory, and since most skin conditions (acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, many age-related skin maladies, etc.) arise from inflammation, turmeric can be a very effective spice for healing a variety of common aesthetic concerns. Use turmeric in combination with black pepper for maximum results.
- Black Pepper: This common spice provides one of the highest antioxidant contents of any food- and this is a key feature for any anti-aging regimen. Black pepper is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, helping to keep acne and other inflammatory conditions at bay. It promotes circulation and speeds up cell renewal. Like ginger, black pepper promotes weight loss and balanced blood sugar levels.
- Basil: This herb is highly anti-microbial and is high in vitamins and minerals. Used internally, it supports proper hormone balance in women. Topically, it speeds up cell renewal and is soothing to the skin. When used on the sensitive skin of the eyes, it can help to relieve puffiness.
There are many herbs and spices that can help to enhance your beauty, both from within and from without. You can upgrade your beauty regimen by adding spices to your food, and by creating your own skincare using these products.