Red Ginger and Its Potential as Anti-Aging

Skin is the largest organ that covers all parts of the human body. As the outermost organ of the body, the main function of the skin is to protect the inside of the body, such as bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and other organs. Apart from that, the skin also protects the body against external environments that pose a risk of harming the body, such as impact, direct contact with chemicals, and exposure to disease-causing microorganisms. The skin also functions to receive stimulation from outside the body, whether in the form of touch, heat or pressure, which is then transmitted to the brain and results in a response to the stimulus.

As we age, the skin experiences various changes which are a natural part of the aging process, which are characterized by the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines due to loss of skin elasticity, dry skin, the appearance of increasingly clear pores, and black spots due to excessive sun exposure. The aging process is influenced by 2 factors, namely intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are related to genetic factors, such as damage or decreased cell performance, disruption of enzyme work, and decreased hormone levels. Meanwhile, extrinsic factors are related to environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, pollution, and unhealthy lifestyles and inadequate nutrition or diet.

Skin aging is a process that cannot be stopped completely. However, there are several things you can do to reduce its impact and keep your skin healthy and radiant. One way is to use ingredients that are anti-aging.

From March to September 2023, Bintang Toedjoe Innovation Natural (BINA) conducted research on the benefits of red ginger as anti-aging for healthy Indonesian women. The 6-gingerol content in red ginger is able to ward off free radicals, as well as increase the production of antioxidant enzymes and collagen formation in the body so that red ginger has the potential to have anti-aging activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-aging effect, as well as the safety and tolerability of using a cream containing Red Ginger Standardized Extract Powder on the face.

The research results stated that using the test product for 12 weeks was able to reduce skin roughness, dry skin conditions and erythema index; improves skin smoothness; and maintains the elasticity of the skin surface. This improvement in skin condition looks significant when compared with the skin condition before using the test product. The test product was also safe and did not cause serious side effects for all research subjects. So it can be concluded that Red Ginger Standardized Extract Powder has the potential to be used in anti-aging products.

Source:

1.E. Kohl, J. S. 2011. Skin Aging. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 25.

2. Han, H.S. et al. 2018. Anti-Apoptotic, Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Effects of 6-Shogaol on Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Biomedical Dermatology, 2 (27).