If you’ve ever worn copper jewelry, you may have sensed something entrancing about it. In ancient Egypt, copper was believed to be the symbol of life and to give magical powers to those who wore it.
That tradition has transcended time as many people still wear copper bracelets to ease aches and pains, improve flexibility, and enjoy an increased sense of well-being, though none of these benefits have sound scientific evidence behind them.
What we do have evidence of is copper’s beneficial effects on skin. A powerful anti-aging ingredient, it attacks the signs of aging from a number of angles, helping to prolong the look of youth. In addition, it has a number of other properties that help encourage beautiful skin.
Our Wild Fruit Serum features a very small amount of copper water to give the added benefits of the copper ions to the formula. If you’re wondering why we’ve decided to go with the copper, you’re not alone. We were wondering too but after looking into the benefits, we’re really excited to include this ingredient in the Serum.
What is Copper?
Also called the “red metal,” copper is a soft, malleable metal that is the most electrically conductive of all the metal elements. (That’s why you see copper wires in so many of your electronics.)
Copper is found as a pure metal in nature and was believed to be the first metal used by humans, discovered in stone tools over 10,000 years ago. Later, it was cast into shape molds in 4000 B.C., and 500 years after that, combined with tin to create bronze. In ancient Egypt, it was used to sterilize water. It is still used as a purifying agent, lining things like bed rails, sinks, door knobs, and healthcare equipment to cut down any health risks.
Though not a strong metal—it has only about half the tensile strength of mild carbon steel—it’s not easy to break, which is why it’s often used in piping and tube applications. Because it’s easily manipulated, it’s a favorite among artists and jewelers, and its ability to conduct electricity and heat makes it popular in cookware, electrical wire, industrial machinery, and roofing and plumbing.
Copper is also critical for supporting many systems and functions of a healthy body. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 0.9 mg.
Plays a Role in Age Fighting
Copper may be up for debate in the ‘giving magical powers’ department but it’s well known to help combat the signs of aging.
One of the most frustrating symptoms of aging is the loss of tightness we get under the eyes, around the mouth, and under the jaw and throughout the neck. As we age the elements that give skin its firmness do not function as well as they use to. That is where copper comes in, it can help revitalize the appearance of mature skin.
One of the ways that copper helps with the appearance of aging is through its peptide content. Peptides are short proteins that have a number of different functions in the body that are essential to overall health. Copper peptides can help nourish and replenish your skin’s appearance.
Helps the Skin Hold onto Hydration
On a similar note as the elastin and collagen, copper ions promote the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of the skin that holds about 1000 times its weight in water and helps the skin appear more plump and vibrant.
As we age, our levels of hyaluronic acid naturally decrease, which is one of the reasons why skin starts to look a little dull and not as firm. It’s also why we can develop dark areas around the eyes and cheeks.
Researchers have found that when applied topically, hyaluronic acid penetrates into the deeper layers, boosting elasticity and hydration. Since copper helps promote more hyaluronic acid, it helps plump skin in two ways—boosting the skin’s overall elasticity and increasing hydration.
Antioxidant Benefits
This is another exciting area of copper in skin care. It actually helps activate superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the most powerful antioxidants that occurs naturally in the body.
Why should we care about SOD? It’s one of the body’s primary defenses against aging and plays a big role in soothing the skin. We think that’s pretty awesome!
Copper in the Wild Fruit Serum
Now you can be as excited as we are about the benefits of copper in your skin care! It’s helpful for slowing down the aging process in so many different ways that we think of it as an additional wonder-ingredient! Who knew? We hope you love it!
What do you think of copper as a skin care ingredient?
Sources
Harpers Bazaar - Copper: The New Skin Saver
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology - Induction of increased collagen and elastin biosynthesis in copper-deficient pig aorta.
Oregon State University - Copper
International Copper Association of Australia - Antimicrobial Copper
The following blog post Copper: The Ancient Ingredient Your Skin Will Love is available on: Annmarie Skin Care's Website
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