Botanically based skin care products, including plant, fruit and marine extracts (i.e., aloe, clay, chamomile, green tea) have been increasing in popularity in skin care products due to their abundance of benefits.
Marine Extracts
Marine extracts are ingredients derived from the ocean and include sea salt, seaweed, algae and marine mud. Before you start humming Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid, look out for skin care products that are literally from under the sea. Their benefits include:
* Natural anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties.
* A vast supply of trace minerals and vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamins A1, B2, B6, B12, C, E and K. The mineral content in marine botanicals helps the skin’s firmness, revealing a smoother looking complexion.
* Hydration.
* Helps draw out impurities to reveal a clearer looking complexion—especially for oily and acne-prone skin types.
* Natural anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties to help lessen bacteria and fungi.
Plant Extracts
You don’t have to be a horticulturalist to know that plant derivatives are good for the skin. For instance, the Aloe Vera plant offers various benefits, including:
* Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that is therapeutic for rashes, itches, inflammation, cuts and burns. It helps ease skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
* Hydration and relief dry, cracked skin.
* Promotes smoother, glowing skin.
Fruit Extracts
Some of your favorite fruits may just be advantageous to your skin. Skin care products that are formulated with fruit extracts supply the skin with antioxidants Vitamin C, E and A. Antioxidants have anti-aging properties by helping to firm and lift the skin. The following fruits are commonly formulated in skin care:
* Some fruit extracts such as papaya, grapefruit and papaya possess gentle exfoliating capabilities.
* Citrus extracts help the skin to look fresh and radiant.
* Strawberries are a mild exfoliating agent as they are a natural source of salicylic acid.
Other Botanicals
There are a host of other botanical extracts that are beneficial to the skin:
* Chamomile has calming and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve redness, sensitive, easily irritated skin.
* Clay has detoxifying properties to help draw out impurities in the skin, thereby helping the skin to look clearer and more refined. Those whose oil glands produce excessive amounts of oil could greatly benefit from clay-based products.
* Green Tea is a potent antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties. Its extract, when used in skin care can help improve elasticity and firmness.
* Ginseng is known to perk up sluggish skin due to its boosting properties.
* Jojoba oil is very similar to human sebum, thereby nourishing and moisturizing the skin dramatically. It also restores a pH balance in the skin and helps reduce clogged pores.
* Rose Hips oil is very high in Vitamin C, which helps brighten the skin. Moreover, it helps alleviate dryness and flakiness.
* Olive oil is known to soften and nourish the skin. That should come as no surprise since it contains antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E. It also helps fight premature wrinkling and free radicals.
With all the benefits of botanically based skin care, why choose anything else?
Leave a Reply