Horse chestnut is one of the few things that we know can help treat broken capillaries and varicose veins. I’ve even gone so far as to make my own thread vein treatment with horse chestnut extract. Looking at Planetary Formulas Horse Chestnut Cream ($8.99), I think I’d be better served channeling my inner formulator on something else. With a whopping 20% horse chestnut extract, this has to be one of the bargain’s of the decade.
For anyone who cares: horse chestnut trees (particularly the seeds) contain a saponin called escin. This is supposed to strengthen veins and capillaries by blocking an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which can breakdown of proteoglycans (part of the structure of capillary walls).
Planetary Formulas has several other helpful plant extracts. In particular, there is butcher’s broom, which contains chemicals that attach to and strengthen blood vessels. There is an attention to detail about this product that I find impressive at any price. For example, the witch hazel extract comes from the bark, which has 31 times more hamamelitannin (antioxidant) and proanthocyandins than the leaves. I also like the inclusion of astringent rosemary and white oak.
Myrrh is an intriguing ingredient. Most of us know it as the stuff that the Three Kings carted around whilst following stars in search of baby Jesus. Although used in days gone by as an incense in churches, its main function is far less romantic. The bottom line is that myrrh is an antibacterial and is most useful as a mouthwash. Recently, however, researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey found that myrrh can kill cancer cells by inactivating a protein called Bcl-2.
There are a couple of parabens in Planetary Formulas Horse Chestnut Cream, but overall it looks to be a much better bet than Derma e Clear Vein Creme, which with its 3% horse chestnut did nothing for me.
Buy from Drugstore Planetary Formulas Horse Chestnut Cream
Related posts
Treatments for broken capillaries and varicose veins
Ingredients
Horse Chestnut Seed/Bark Extract (Standardized to 20% aescin), Butcher’s Broom Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Bark Extract, White Oak Bark Extract, Myrrh Gum Extract, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Purified Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (Emollient), Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Glucose (from Sugar Plant), Lecithin Phospholipid, Jojoba Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sorbic Acid (Preservatives)
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One thing I like about reading this blog is that every so often you will review a product that I’ve been using so long I don’t even consider it a “product” anymore, and that I thought was so obscure anyway no one would ever notice it. So it is with Planetary’s Horse Chestnut cream. It’s been a staple in my medicine cabinet for years. And it really, really works.
Great to see it get such a positive review.
Is this product OK to use on your face, particularly if you have sensitive skin & rosacea?
One of the reasons I love TIA….I didn’t even know they made skin care…I’ve been taking one of their sleep supplements for a long time. Wonder what other goodies they make….
I’m looking for the answer to Bevs question, is it ok to use this product on my face?
Hi Bev and Sarah,
My guess would be yes, but I have written to Planetary Formulas and will let you know when I hear back.
Sarah and Bev,
Here is what Planetary Formulas said about using the horse chestnut cream on the face:
Horse chestnut is a traditional botanical that has been widely used in Europe to support vein integrity, especially in the legs. The Horse Chestnut Cream is designed to support a healthy vascular system and help improve the appearance of varicose veins. The Horse Chestnut Cream is designed for external use only. As such, we recommend consulting a qualified health professional with any further questions you might have regarding the appropriate use of this product. That being said, I am not aware of any specific contraindications against using the Planetary Formulas Horse Chestnut Cream on the face. However, if you have a tendency towards sensitive skin, it might be advisable to conduct a patch test (try it on a small area) before using the product on the entire face. If irritation occurs, use of the product should be discontinued.
I just pick this up at Publix GreenWise (a FL grocery store) and it is called “Planetary Herbals” and it does not have the parabens in it.
I also bought the supplement so maybe I will get double the results!
Thanks for the answer about using on the face as that is what I bought it for.
BTW, this stuff smells horrible (to me) and I use it on my face so I mix it with my serum and I also use essential oils and that seems to take the smell away.
I read that is also works better as a tincture (alcoholic extract) so I will use up this cream so that my skin can become accustom to it and then I am going to try making my own serum with Vit C and jojoba oil.