The Power of Plants in Your Beauty Regime

Botanical beauty is in high demand these days, especially among all-natural enthusiasts. Many brands are sustainably sourcing natural ingredients, making sure their beauty and wellness products are certified organic, vegan friendly and cruelty-free. Not only does this respond to customers’ needs and keep them happy, but natural plant extracts from herbs, flowers, and seeds can work wonders in your beauty regime.

Using plants in cosmetics is a part of cosmetology, known as phytocosmetics. Quality herbal-infused beauty products can provide an optimum level of freshness and efficacy for your skin. Their benefits stretch far and wide. We’ve decided to highlight six powerful plant ingredients that could contribute to your skin and hair health. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a well-known, succulent plant that’s been expended for healing purposes over thousands of years, often found in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It’s not called the ‘plant of immortality’ for no reason! It is loaded with more than 75 nutrients and 200 other ingredients, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins.

You can take aloe vera internally in the form of food supplements and juices due to its antibacterial, digestive and immunostimulant properties, as well as use it externally as the clear liquid from the plant’s leaves can be turned into a gel.

The cooling and hydrating effects of aloe vera make it very beneficial for calming dry and itchy skin, including sunburn, and reducing inflammation that comes with cystic acne, for example. Its skin-protective, soothing, toning and moisturising effects make aloe vera great for face and body creams, hair care products, and natural deodorants.

Calendula

Calendula is one of 15-20 species of herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, often known as marigolds. These brightly coloured yellow and orange flowers have long been used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Today, there’s a significant demand in the beauty industry, with the largest European selling market for calendula being in Germany. 

Calendula oil is typically made by infusing marigold flowers in a carrier oil, which can then be used on its own or for beauty products like topical creams, ointments or salves. It has the potential to heal damaged skin from the sun by reducing redness and improving skin texture and ageing.

The useful properties of calendula, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal activity, can considerably enhance skin health. The oil-soluble compound carotenoids present in the herb is particularly effective for dry skin. It’s also thought to assist with the digestive and immune systems.

A top tip for treating acne, blemishes, dark spots, dermatitis, psoriasis, rashes, stretch marks, varicose veins, and warts is to soak three teaspoons of calendula petals in a cup of water for 10 minutes, then regularly wash your skin with this solution until you notice results.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol (or simply CBD) is a chemical derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as cannabis or hemp. No matter if you decide to purchase the best CBD oil gummies, easy-to-swallow soft gel capsules or infused topical solutions, it’s made its way into all types of products thanks to its potential therapeutic benefits. Even though many of these are related to whole-body symptoms of anxiety, insomnia or pain, there are a number of skincare benefits, too.

CBD is thought to work with receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system that’s responsible for balancing key functions of the skin like oil and melanocyte production, commonly known as pigmentation. CBD’s powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits could help with the overproduction of sebum which causes acne, as well as reduce pain, redness, and swelling from existing breakouts. It may be effective for hydrating dry skin and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. 

Chamomile

Chamomile is extensively used in natural cosmetics due to having many beneficial properties, including antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, decongestant, disinfectant, emollient and healing qualities. It can be obtained from the flowers or aerial part of the plant to create chamomile-infused feet, hair, hands, neck or skin products.

The demand for chamomile seed is highest in the Asia Pacific region, followed by Europe and North America. It’s mainly cultivated on small farms as it’s easy to grow and doesn’t require much maintenance.

One of the main reasons why this natural solution is so popular for cosmetic use is because it’s hypoallergenic, meaning that it reduces skin irritation by preventing the damage caused by free radicals. It’s a good ointment for acne, burns, cuts, eczema, injury and scars. 

Natural chamomile cleanser products can have a potent ability to remove blackheads and pigmentation from the face. Additionally, chamomile contains an influential compound called alpha-bisabolol, which can diminish the development of wrinkles. If you’d rather not use it as a face wash, you can always drink it in the form of chamomile tea and see results from the inside out!

Rosehip

Commonly found in cosmetic products as pressed seed oil, rosehip is a plant extract from the seeds of wild rose bush Rosa canina. It’s rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E with antioxidant properties, helping to strengthen our immune system and brighten the skin. Vitamin A is essential for the development and maintenance of epithelial cells, the outermost area where regeneration takes place, which in turn will aid acne scars or skin lesions.

Rosehip oil has an earthy and slightly herbaceous scent, with anti-ageing capabilities great for nighttime use. It’s been seen to effectively improve inflammatory dermatitis like eczema, as well as dry or sunburnt skin, thanks to its elasticising properties. Rosehip also contains anthocyanins and polyphenols, believed to ease joint inflammation and prevent joint damage.

Final Thoughts

​​As with any herbal supplement or new ingredient, there are risks involved that may cause side effects, so it is highly advised to visit your doctor before use. The key here is to start slow and see how your skin responds to any new beauty product.

All of these plants are loaded with skin-nourishing vitamins that aim to rehydrate autumn dryness to soft, supple skin. We hope that you give these organic beauty options a try and reap the advantages of nature’s gift.