We’re always on the hunt for new and interesting natural skincare ingredients. Kigelia Africana extract is another one to add to the list!
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While this ingredient isn’t super common in U.S. products yet, it offers some interesting benefits is growing in popularity.
What is Kigelia Africana?
Kigelia Africana, otherwise known as a “sausage tree,” is a flowering plant that is indigenous to Tropical Africa and grows poisonous fruit that resembles very large cucumbers or sausages inside casings.
Kigelia Africana trees have been used throughout history to treat a multitude of different ailments. This medicinal plant has been used since ancient times to treat toothaches, leprosy, abscesses, ringworm, eczema, skin cancer, and even sexually transmitted diseases, inflammation, and much more.
Kigelia africana was also used as an aphrodisiac, which helped to enhance sexual desire in both men and women.
All parts of the Kigelia Africana plant have always been used for treating many different ailments, including the leaves, bark, and fruit. However, since the fruit of the “sausage plant” is poisonous, whether it’s ripe or not, it was necessary to completely dry out in the sun and then make it into a liquid before being fermented.
Only then was the fruit considered to be safe to be consumed and used to treat the multitude of ailments that it cured.
Kigelia Africana Benefits and Uses
Kigelia Africana has many benefits and uses, as it continues to be used today for many reasons.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Helps fight blemishes
- Can help calm and soothe the skin
Kigelia Africana is used in cosmetics and skincare products for its ability to fight free radicals with antioxidant properties.
Beauty products made from a “sausage tree” also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, tighten skin and promote overall balancing for the complexion.
Kigelia Africana has also been proven to be effective against acne, and it offers strong anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties.
Kigelia Africana extract is perfect for treating those with sensitive skin because it’s known for being significantly less irritating than many other ingredients typically used in cosmetics and beauty products. It is used in various anti-aging creams and serums, along with other products that work synergistically to produce the best effects.
Another popular use of Kigelia africana is as an exercise enhancement supplement. It is said to have the ability to boost energy levels pre and post-workout, as it has properties that cause it to work in a similar manner to caffeine, although it has been proven to be stronger than actual caffeine.
Consumers can find various websites that sell kigelia africana in powder form that can be added to pre and post workout drinks.
Is Kigelia Africana Safe for the Skin?
After performing extensive research on Kigelia Africana, this African plant has been deemed to be relatively safe for use on the skin. In some situations, certain compounds that make up the plant have been implicated in cases in which cytotoxicity of the cells has occurred.
Furthermore, people with very sensitive skin or who suffer from conditions like eczema and psoriasis might experience a reaction to this plant that may require treatment by a medical professional. Those with sensitive or troubled skin should probably refrain from using extracts from this plant, as the extract is what has led to such reactions in sensitive individuals.
Kigelia Africana Comedogenic rating
The comedogenic rating refers to whether a product is found to clog the pores of the skin, which can lead to acne. Here is an overview of the comedogenic rating scale:
If a product is 0-1 on the comedogenic scale, then an ingredient has almost no chance of causing the pores of the skin to become clogged.
If a product is a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, then an ingredient has a small to moderate chance of causing the pores to become clogged up.
If a product is a 4-5 on the comedogenic scale, then there is a moderate to high chance that all individuals will experience some type of clogging of the pores.
Due to the fact that Kigelia Africana extract has very effective anti-acne properties because of its anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial abilities, it is likely that this extract is a 0-1 on the comedogenic scale.
Therefore, individuals with acne can use this ingredient without worrying about it worsening their acne, because it will, in fact, improve it in most cases.
What type of products contain Kigelia Africana?
Kigelia Africana extract is available in many different products, like creams, facial serums, anti-aging products and more. It is also possible to find this ingredient as a standalone product, which can be mixed with other extracts and oils to treat specific ailments.
As more skincare manufacturers discover the many benefits of kigelia africana, consumers are likely to find even greater amounts of products on store shelves and online that contain this extract.
Is it a good ingredient in skincare?
As long as a person using a skincare product that contains kigelia africana doesn’t have extremely sensitive or otherwise troubled skin, this is a relatively good ingredient that is gaining popularity within the cosmetic industry due to its many benefits for various skin problems.
If you are unsure about using a cream or serum that contains this ingredient, start with a small area to patch test. If you don’t notice any negative effects, you can begin using on the entire face.
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