Our skin thrives under minimally processed, close to nature ingredients incorporating fruit, nut, herb and plant extracts. They are powerful too - certain plant extracts can improve circulation, reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation, fight off free radical damage, stimulate the production of collagen and even combat breakouts! There is no need to rely on synthetic ingredients with these powerful plants around! So read on as we share six of our favourite powerful plant extracts and why they're so very good for your skin.
What are Plant Extracts?
A plant extract is an active component or substance with desirable properties that is removed from the tissue of a plant to be used for a particular purpose. Common extraction processes including pressing (like you would do with an orange to make orange juice), distillation (by direct heating or steam), maceration, digestion, docoction, infusion, elution, lixiviation, and percolation. More recently we've seen Cellular Biomimicry, which is a type of extraction that transfers phyto-compounds from their original plant cell environment to a medium ready for use on the skin without stressing or degrading the plant's bio-matrix. This allows for the full plant profile of water-soluble or oil-soluble phyto-compounds, as they exist in nature. Retreatment Botanics uses this technique to extract the plant botanicals used in their skin care range. Read on as we share six of our favourite powerful plant extracts and how they could be of benefit to you.
6 Powerful Plant Extracts
Kakadu Plum
Used for centuries by Australian indigenous communities for its medicinal healing properties, kakadu plum provides a huge range of benefits for the skin:- Very high in Vitamin C, which helps to stimulate the production of collagen and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduces the appearance of scarring or hyper-pigmentation
- Detoxifies the skin and fights off free radical damage caused by pollution or sun exposure
- Contains gallic acid which works to restore the skin's natural barrier
- Soothing, and works to reduce redness, inflammation and irritation
- Contains ellagic acid, which encourages skin elasticity and suppleness
- Helps balance the complexion of acne prone skin
To enjoy the benefits of the beautiful Australian ingredient, we recommend the Retreatment Botanics range. The beautiful Ultra Rich Moisturiser is a favourite as it is deeply hydrating and leaves skin soft, dewy and luminous.
Pomegranate
This glorious red fruit with its juicy seeds has been celebrated for centuries for its health and skin care benefits.- Promotes cell regeneration, tissue repair and healing in the epidermis and dermis
- Protect the skin against free radical damage
- May help prevent hyper-pigmentation and age spots
- Promotes smooth, soft but firm skin by promoting collagen and elastin production
- Contains punicic acid, an omega 5 fatty acid that hydrates and prevents moisture loss
- Effective at soothing dry, cracked and irritated skin
- Combats breakouts, reduces scarring and soothes minor irritations
Try this special natural ingredient for yourself. We recommend the Mokosh Raspberry & Pomegranate Beauty Serum. Made with 100% natural and certified organic ingredients, this light and readily absorbed serum will protect and nourish normal, dry and mature skin types.
Coconut
Coconut extract and coconut oil are widely used in natural skin and body care, and it's easy to see why.- Applied topically, coconut is an excellent humectant and helps to prevent moisture loss
- Antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial qualities
- Can help soothe inflammation and alleviate dry, irritated skin
- May help diminish the appearance of acne scares and prevent new scars from forming
Because of the above benefits, we love its use in natural deodorants, like Earths Purities Bicarb Free Deodorant Paste.
Gotu Kola
Practitioners of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have revered the gotu kola plant for thousands of years for it's health and skin care benefits. In terms of skin care benefits, products that incorporate gotu kola plant extract:- Work to promote healthy veins and capillaries, and being anti-inflammatory it can reduce inflammation and redness
- Moderates the production of collagen (vegan friendly), protects existing collagen and helps create new collagen
- Has antimicrobial properties, so it's appropriate for acne-prone skin
Incorporate gotu kola into your skin care routine with Evohe's Repair Intensive cream. This potent antibacterial formula protects, relieves and soothes chronically irritated, dry and sensitive skin.
Green Tea
Green tea has a wealth of benefits when used in skin care.- Contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG that fights DNA damage from UV rays
- The anti-inflammatory catechins in green tea reduce irritation, redness, and swelling
- Polyphenols in green tea damage bacterial membranes and fight against infection, so it's a useful tool for treating bacterial growth that causes acne
- High in Vitamin B2, which is important in maintaining collagen levels
- High in Vitamin E, which supports new skin cell growth
- Provides hydration for soft and nourished skin
- Caffeine and tannins in green tea help shrink blood vessels around the eyes, so it is ideal for treating puffy eyes and dark circles
Incorporate green tea into your skin care routine. This Love Beauty Foods Clay Face Mask suits all types of skin and features Matcha (Green Tea) powder as an ingredient. Try it out today for calmer, more hydrated skin.
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