Elle Magazine - January 2007

SPICEMARKET
Cayenne and paprika may be mouth burners, but research demonstrates that topically applied red-pepper extract may soothe skin. A study published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that capsaicin, the alkaloid inside peppers that makes them taste hot, alleviated chronically inflamed skin by suppressing itching and promoting healing in all participants. "In certain cases, capsaicin reduces irritating neuropeptides," says lead researcher Sonja Stander, MD. "It helps skin repair itself." This confirms what Hungarians have known for years. Budapest import ilike organic skin care Paprika Treatment for Acne (at left) heals breakouts with cherry-pepper extract.