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Saururus Chinensis (Chinese Lizard’s Tail) in Skin Care
Saururus chinensis is an East Asian plant also called Asian Lizard’s tail, Chinese Lizard’s tail, or Sam-baekcho in Korean. Saururus chinensis from the Lizard tail plant is a new antiaging cosmeceutical ingredient that is also found in creams to treat hyperpigmentation.
Is Saururus Chinensis the best ingredient for your skin? The best way to find the right products is to shop by your Baumann Skin Type.
East asian plant species that is quickly becoming popular in western skin care
Versatile natural benefits from varied chemical structure
Safe for most skin types, and increasingly available
Skin Benefits of Saururus chinensis
Saururus chinensis has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities that make this Lizard tail Plant ideal for soothing sensitive skin while treating wrinkles and dark spots.
Saururus chinensis is used to treat:
Acne
Aging Skin
Eczema
Hyperpigmentation
Melasma
Psoriasis
Rosacea
If you’re just looking for the best products with Saururus Chinensis, here are my favorites:
Is Lizard Tail Plant Extract Good for Your Skin?
The Asian Lizard Tail Plant has the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Moisturizing
Skin Lightening
To find out if that’s what your skin needs in your daily routine, take our free quiz here!
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Research on saururus chinensis
Evidence Based Research on Saururus Chinensis in Skin Care Products
Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis
Choi et al. showed that the leaves of S. chinensis prevented eczema skin rashes in mice. The lizard tail plant was thought to work by stimulating the Th1 cell immune response and modulating Th1/Th2 imbalance. (1)
Protection of Skin Against Skin Cancer
Lee et al. showed that Lizard Tail plant extract slowed growth human cancer cells. (2)
Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Saururus Chinensis
Sauchinone is found in Lizard Tail Plant. Bae et al. demonstrated that sauchinone gives S. chinensis some of its soothing properties by lowering tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α synthesis by inhibiting the c-Raf-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathway. (3) Zhang et al. showed that an extract of S. chinensis leaves blocked expression of inflammatory genes by blocking the TAK1/AP-1 pathway. (4) The Asian Lizard tail plant blocks various different inflammatory pathways which explains its soothing and calming effects on sensitive skin.
You can learn more about inflammatory pathways in skin here.
Antioxidant properties of saururus chinensis
Antioxidant and Photoprotection Benefits of Saururus Chinensis
Sauchinone, found in the Lizard Tail plant, protects human skin cells (keratinocytes) from sun damage and blocks the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1 ) enzymes that usually occur after UVB exposure and cause a break down of type 1 collagen in the skin. Sauchinone has antioxidant activity and suppresses extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK signaling through the activation of oxidative defense enzymes. (5)
Skin Whitening and Lightening Effects of Chinese Lizard Tail Plant
Manassantin A and B found in S. chinensis blocks melanin synthesis by down-regulating the expression of tyrosinase or the TRP1 gene and inhibiting expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) (6, 7). This cosmetic ingredient also blocks melanosome transport by interrupting the interaction between melanophilin and myosin Va. (8) Lizard tail extract also inhibits the melanogenesis signaling pathway activated by α-MSH, causing dose-dependent inhibition without causing cytotoxicity. The depigmenting activity of S. chinensis extracts may occur as a result of elevated activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). (2)
Conclusion
Lizard Tail extract is an exciting new skin care ingredient that blocks inflammation, damage form sun, aging, and production of skin pigment. It is ideal for skin types that suffer from inflammation and pigmentation such as sensitive skin with dark spots. The best way to know if this is the best ingredient for YOU is to know your Baumann Skin Type and shop for products based on your skin type.