Quercetin Benefits for the Skin

by Vorst Canada April 14, 2022

quercetin benefits for the skin

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

When we talk about protecting the skin from free radical damages that cause a variety of skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles, we often emphasize the most popular choices like resveratrol, vitamin C, and vitamin E. But only a few know about quercetin and its benefits for the skin. In fact, quercetin for several years has attracted a lot of interest as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory skin care supplement.

If you don’t know about quercetin and have never explored the benefits of quercetin for the skin, now it’s time to explore it. So, let’s have a look.

What is quercetin?
Sources of quercetin
Benefits of quercetin for the skin
How to use quercetin oral supplements
Precautions and side effects
Final words

What is quercetin?

Quercetin, also called quercitin, is a naturally occurring plant pigment that belongs to the flavonoid group of polyphenols. It is present in many plants including fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and leaves.

Quercetin has a bitter taste and has been described to have powerful antioxidant properties. It has incredible health benefits, particularly for the skin and cardiovascular conditions, which is why it is widely used in foods, beverages, and various dietary supplements as an active ingredient.

Sources of quercetin

The human body doesn’t have the ability to produce quercetin within the body and thus, it must be obtained through diets or supplements.

A number of foods and drinks contain considerable amounts of quercetin, such as:

Red onions
Kale
Broccoli
Capers
Green tea leaves
Apples
Berries
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes
Buckwheat
Cherries
Tomatoes
Moringa leaves

Quercetin is used as an important ingredient in various skin care products such as toners, moisturizers, serums, and masks for applying topically on the skin.

Most people prefer consuming oral quercetin supplements since it has better absorbability as well as health benefits.

Benefits of quercetin for the skin

As said above, quercetin has tremendous anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and it can help to manage, prevent, and treat a wide range of skin conditions. Extensive studies on the benefits of quercetin for skin are ongoing nowadays. Several effects of quercetin for skin have been proved so far and a large number are in their queue.

Here’re some of the potential skin benefits of quercetin:

Helps combat free radicals

Quercetin has a miraculous ability to reduce as well as reverse oxidative damage to the skin caused by free radicals. Free radicals, also called reactive oxygen species (ROS), are unstable oxygen-containing molecules that may cause chain chemical reactions on the skin and damage RNA, DNA, and proteins, and eventually may cause cell death.

Quercetin has the power to find out and neutralize reactive oxygen species and also can help repair oxidative damages to the skin.

Reduces skin inflammation

Evidence suggests that quercetin has tremendous anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm skin inflammation caused by various factors such as toxic chemicals, histamine, and ultraviolet radiation.

A 2016 study published in the Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology concluded quercetin is effective to reduce itching, redness, and inflammation of damaged skin.

Alleviates allergic symptoms

Quercetin shows antihistamine actions on the body. Histamine is a nitrogenous compound produced by cells and is responsible for a range of allergic symptoms such as hives, rashes, and nasal congestion.

Quercetin has the ability to inhibit histamine production and thus, helps the body protect from various allergic reactions.

Helps lower the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has the capacity to pass through skin cells and damage DNA. The natural repairing mechanism of the skin repairs many of these damages on its own, but continuous damages over time make it harder to repair from within and may enhance the risk of developing various types of skin cancers.

Quercetin has an incredible ability to lower the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin, making it one of the most sought-after ingredients for skincare products.

Helps combat viruses and prevent infections

Quercetin shows antiviral and antibacterial actions that can help combat viruses as well as can help prevent viral or bacterial infections on the skin.

A recent review published in the Phytotherapy Research says quercetin has the ability to inhibit virus infection at its initial stages and thus, can reduce inflammation caused by infection.

Minimizes the risk of developing certain types of cancer

Studies have found that quercetin has significant anticancer actions that can be used for therapeutic purposes to prevent and treat certain types of cancer.

A 2018 study published in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology found that quercetin exerts anticancer actions in prostate cancer by modulating several pathways and it can be used in combination with chemotherapeutic medicines to improve clinical outcomes in patients with prostate cancers.

How use quercetin oral supplements

As an oral quercetin supplement, the most common dosage ranges from 500 mg to 1000 mg per day depending on associated health conditions.

Precautions and side effects

Though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes quercetin as a generally safe ingredient, overdoses for a long period may cause some mild side effects such as nausea, headaches, and tingling sensations.

Besides, it may interact with some drugs. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult with a certified natural medicine practitioner before using quercetin supplements.

Final words

Quercetin exerts noticeable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer actions. Most prevalent skin benefits of quercetin include reducing harmful effects of UV rays, alleviating allergic symptoms, reducing skin inflammation, preventing viral infections, and reducing the risk of developing certain types of skin cancers among others.

Here you can check out Vorst’s pure and natural Quercetin 500 mg Vegan Capsules.

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