The benefits of maple sap
When we think of maple, we immediately think of the maple leaf that appears on the Canadian flag or the delicious maple syrup that a Native American legend sees as a precious gift given to humanity a long time ago by Nokomis, the Earth Goddess.
But did you know that maple sap is full of active ingredients that make it an essential ingredient in organic and natural cosmetic products? Did you know that maple sap has incomparable benefits for our skin by being moisturizing, exfoliating, antioxidant and purifying?
Benefit n°1: a moisturizing action, which contributes to maintaining the water homeostasis of the skin
Maple sap extract is particularly rich in AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), sugars and it also contains amino acids. These molecules are humectants and/or film-forming agents. They act in the two pathways of cutaneous hydration: active hydration, which consists of providing the skin with hydrating agents, and passive hydration, which involves substances that act as a barrier to IWL (Insensible Water Loss).
Maple sap extract helps maintain high levels of hydration by binding surrounding water molecules. Therefore, it prevents water loss and dehydration.
Benefit #2: Helps preserve skin radiance
Particularly rich in AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), maple sap extract acts as an exfoliant. AHAs promote desquamation, the elimination of dead cells (corneocytes) accumulating on the surface of the skin, and activate the renewal of the epidermis. Smoother, skin gains radiance.
AHAs are particularly recommended for oily skin with excess sebum and dilated pores. Their exfoliating effect limits the phenomenon of hyperkeratinization and clogging of pores. The skin appears purified, more beautiful.
Benefit #3: Helps detoxify skin, scalp, hair and prevents skin aging
Maple sap extract is rich in phenolic compounds, well known for their antioxidant properties. These compounds are capable of directly neutralizing free radicals, reactive oxygen species or even oxidized lipids that damage cell membranes. These molecules thus inhibit oxidative stress, which induces cell and tissue damage, thus accelerating the mechanisms of skin aging.
Benefit n°4: purifies the skin and the scalp
Among the other benefits of maple sap; its ability to inhibit the proliferation of multiple microorganisms such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi, and thus reduce their negative effects on the cells. It therefore helps purify the skin and the hair.
What cosmetic uses for maple sap extract?
Thanks to the many benefits of maple sap for our skin – hydrating, exfoliating, antioxidant and purifying – maple sap is a very interesting active ingredient in skin care: moisturizing products; anti-aging range; products for oily and acne-prone skin.
Beyond its benefits for the skin, maple has nutritional qualities, we let you discover them here !
Bibliographic references
• Garcia et al., “Metabolomics Reveals Chemical Changes in Acer Saccharum Sap over a Maple Syrup Production Season,” ed. Leonidas Matsakas, PLOS ONE 15, no. 8 (August 20, 2020): e0235787, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235787 .
• Kim et al. “The Effect of Physically Applied Alpha Hydroxyl Acids on the Skin Pore and Comedone. » International Journal of Cosmetic Science 37, no. 5 (October 2015): 519-25. doi:10.1111/ics.12244.
• Lagace et al., “Effect of the New High Vacuum Technology on the Chemical Composition of Maple Sap and Syrup,” Heliyon 5, no.6 (June 2019): e01786, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01786 .
• Leaf, “Pure Maple Syrup: Nutritive Value,” Science (New York, NY) 143, no. 3609 (February 28, 1964): 963-64, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.143.3609.963.
• Legault et al., “Antioxidant Activity, Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Overproduction, and in Vitro Antiproliferative Effect of Maple Sap and Syrup from Acer Saccharum,” Journal of Medicinal Food 13, no. 2 (April 2010): 460-68, https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2009.0029.
• Maisuria et al., “Polyphenolic Extract from Maple Syrup Potentiates Antibiotic Susceptibility and Reduces Biofilm Formation of Pathogenic Bacteria,” ed. MJ Pettinari, Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81, no. 11 (June 1, 2015): 3782-92, https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00239-15 .
• Martini and Seiller. 2006. Active ingredients and additives in cosmetology. Editions Lavoisier Tec&Doc.
• Perkins and van den Berg, “Chapter 4 Maple Syrup-Production, Composition, Chemistry, and Sensory Characteristics,” in Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, vol. 56 (Elsevier, 2009), 101-43, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1043-4526(08)00604-9 .
• Sun et al., “Detection of Inulin, a Prebiotic Polysaccharide, in Maple Syrup,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64, no.38 (September 28, 2016): 7142-47, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03139 .
• Yoshikawa et al., “Phenylpropanoid, Sapnol A, Lignan and Neolignan Sophorosides, Saposides A and B, Isolated from Canadian Sugar Maple Sap,” Molecules 18, no. 8 (August 12, 2013): 9641-49, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18089641 .
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