HOME REMEDY: Tannins
Most of us think of tea or red wine when we think of tannins, but they are a component of many plants. Tannins are a natural chemical from a larger group called phenolics and in each plant the tannins are slightly different. There is more tannin in the blacker teas, than in green or white tea. In red wine they come from the grape seed, the stem, the skin and the oak barrel the wine is kept in.
Tannins have the ability to bind proteins – hence their use in the leather industry, turning a soft piece of skin that would decompose into a firm, longlasting one.
It’s tannin that is responsible for the slightly bitter, astringent taste that makes you want to pucker your mouth, this possibly being part of a plant’s defence mechanism against being eaten by animals.
This astringent effect is also noticed when tannins are used in skincare products, as they have a gentle tightening effect on the skin and can also provide a layer of protection against bacterial infection. So if you want natural skincare with tannins, look for products with witch hazel, oak bark, plantain and cinnamon.
Sof McVeigh: www.thehomemadecompany.com
Tannins have the ability to bind proteins – hence their use in the leather industry, turning a soft piece of skin that would decompose into a firm, longlasting one.
It’s tannin that is responsible for the slightly bitter, astringent taste that makes you want to pucker your mouth, this possibly being part of a plant’s defence mechanism against being eaten by animals.
This astringent effect is also noticed when tannins are used in skincare products, as they have a gentle tightening effect on the skin and can also provide a layer of protection against bacterial infection. So if you want natural skincare with tannins, look for products with witch hazel, oak bark, plantain and cinnamon.
Sof McVeigh: www.thehomemadecompany.com