Persimmon is representative of transformation in Buddhist culture, but the question is: does it hold the power to transform your skin? Native to Asia and North America, this fruit is a product of the Diospyros genus and, though primarily gaining recognition as both a culinary ingredient and a medicinal treatment, it’s also exhibited potential for being a dermal aid.
Unexpectedly powerful, the first item on persimmon’s list of upsides is undoubtedly its potent combination of antioxidants. Vitamins C and E as well as various flavonoids and carotenoids make persimmon the modest powerhouse that it is. Antioxidants, in their various forms, play a big part in how our skin looks and functions. Though each group of antioxidants differs slightly in terms of how our body produces and/or assimilates them, their shared goal is to fight free radicals and the damage they cause to our bodies. Vitamins C and E are very potent. Vitamin C not only helps to brighten the skin but assists in safeguarding it against UV damage. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is known to promote dermal health and ensure that our cells are functioning properly. Like vitamin C, it’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to impairment caused by free radicals, which it fights while nourishing the skin and reducing inflammation. Flavonoids and carotenoids are two classes of antioxidants that, despite their function as plant pigments, are powerful combatants in the face of free radicals, inflammation and collagen degradation. All these elements tie together to help this seemingly unsuspecting fruit pull its weight as an anti-aging ingredient.
Of course, it’s not just antioxidants that make persimmon so remarkable. The extract derived from this fruit is said to contribute to decelerating the process of glycation, which plays a big part in how our skin ages. Glycation is a natural chemical reaction that takes place when a surplus of glucose is found in the fibers of our skin, prompting sugar molecules to affix themselves to the two main dermal proteins found there: collagen and elastin. These fibrous proteins are what help to maintain skin elasticity and durability. When glycation occurs, it is known to produce AGEs (i.e. advanced glycation end-products), which are a cluster of compounds that are highly oxidant in nature. Over a period of time, AGEs are what cause collagen to become progressively inflexible and, as a result, our skin becomes increasingly unable to maintain its previously firm texture. The outcome? Our skin ages, internally and externally, contributing to us looking visually older despite our years. The reason why persimmon fits hand in hand with glycation prevention is due to its flavonoid content. As we mentioned above, flavonoids are potent antioxidants but, as well as fending off damage from external stressors, they are also reportedly capable of helping the body to shield itself against the production of AGEs, which contributes to staving off the signs of aging for longer.
When used as a cosmetic ingredient, persimmon is incredibly versatile since its benefits are not just restricted to its fruit. Though its flesh and skin offer a diverse array of antioxidants, extract derived from its bark has been found to have astringent qualities, which have been utilized in many skincare products. In terms of antioxidants, persimmon is, in fact, plentiful in phytochemicals, namely polyphenolic antioxidants and catechins. Polyphenolic antioxidants are organic compounds that are primarily plant-derived and provide protection against various stressors that may otherwise negatively affect the skin. First and foremost, they’re anti-inflammatory and are thus able to help fend off both skin diseases caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, making them powerful anti-aging aids. Catechins, on the other hand, are a type of naturally-occurring, plant-based antioxidants and belong to the flavonoid family. They are renowned for being able to seek out free radicals and neutralize their effects. Besides this, one of catechins’ most special attributes is the fact that they actually affect the skin on a more personal level, capable of triggering the synthesis of collagen. To further explore the perks behind this exotic fruit, science-backed data has been unearthed to showcase persimmon’s additional advantages. The Diospyros kaki variety, for instance, has been discovered to house antiallergic, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory and photo-protective properties as well as astringent and skin-lightening abilities. Not only this, but evidence has also come to light in terms of persimmon’s ability to combat collagenase enzymes, which are notorious for breaking collagen’s peptide bonds and thus speed up the rate at which the skin ages.
If you plan on eating this fruit rather than applying it, one persimmon provides approximately 55% of your RDI of fat-soluble vitamin A, 30% of your RDI of manganese and 6g of fiber. Vitamin A is essential not just for breakout prevention and dermal hydration but also the skin healing process and immune system support. In a similar vein, manganese is an indispensable cog in wound healing activity and collagen production. As for fiber, despite not being a nutrient itself, it’s actually very important, not just to your overall health but to the wellbeing of your skin. This is because, when you ingest dietary fiber, it’s able to help the body in ridding itself of toxins, which extends to improving the condition of your skin from the inside out. Less toxins means a better complexion, which is why persimmon may just be your body’s new best friend when it comes to tasty yet dermal-friendly snacks.
Though it is entirely up to you to decide which foods and skincare items are best for you and your skin type, we highly recommend that you keep your eyes peeled for products that contain persimmon in its various forms. Though there’s still much to discover about this little anti-aging gem of a fruit, the potential it’s demonstrated thus far has unequivocally paved the way for both itself and other more natural, plant-based skincare ingredients.
If you’d like to read more about any topics that we covered in this article including antioxidants (carotenoids and flavonoids), oxidative stress and similar anti-aging ingredients, look no further than our Blog Post Directory. We are constantly adding new content to our blog, so keep checking back for our latest anti-aging updates.