Pretty ProgressiveOver the past few years, one thing has come to light as far as skincare is concerned. Botanical extracts have been shown effective in promoting wound healing, enhancing suppleness, and improving elasticity, among other things. They are also considered safer alternatives to chemical skincare products, some of which are known to be harsh to the environment and unforgiving to your skin. Here are five interesting uses of botanical extracts you might need to know.
1. Hand Wash and Hand Balm
It might have impacted our lives in so many ways, but the Covid-19 pandemic taught (or reminded) people around the world one crucial thing. This is the importance of always keeping your hands clean using soap and water, sanitizers, and hand wash. Interestingly, handwash is among the various products created using botanical extracts these days. As can be seen from the Aesop collection at Ssense’s website, there’s a wide range of skin-soothing Hand Wash and hand balms in the market. These come in a wide range of aromas to pick from to ensure your skin stays clean and smells good at the same time. Hand balm is specifically laced with ingredients that also keep your hands moisturized to prevent dryness and cracking.
2. Facial Cleansing Products
Your facial takes a huge beating from the environment every single day. It also accumulates dirt, sweat, and other debris, which may irritate your skin and clog the pores. This is why it is recommended to wash your face often – at least two times a day according to dermatologists – preferably in the morning and before you go to bed. This means getting a go0od facial cleansing product, and you’ll get a lot of those made using botanical extracts. Botanical extracts like lemon, coconut oil, oat, and tea tree are among the many options you can look for. Papaya enzyme powder is also quite effective not only as a cleanser, but also at reducing wrinkles, brightening the skin, and keeping it moisturized.
3. Skin Moisturizers
Skin dryness is an unpleasant yet quite commonly-faced problem by many people. Of course, it affects some people more than others due to differences in skin type, environment, and routine skincare efforts. Well, apart from hydrating often, moisturizing is among the best ways to battle skin dryness naturally. Herbal oil extracts are primarily great at this, thanks to their powerful antioxidants like vitamins E, C, and A. Some great botanical skin moisturizers include:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Kukui nut oil
- Aloe
- Jojoba
- Avocado
- Oat
- Hemp oil
4. Battling Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation simply refers to skin darkening, which mostly stems from the excessive production of melanin. It can be triggered by hormonal changes, excess sun exposure, injury or inflammation, or even acne scars. The good thing is that it is treatable through a range of remedies, including certain botanicals. A good example is coffee berry extract, which contains powerful polyphenols and antioxidants that also help improve issues like rosacea. It also boasts amazing anti-aging benefits on the skin.
5. Fighting Acne
You know those troublesome pimples that mostly occur during puberty and don’t seem to go away? Well, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most prevalent skin condition, with nearly fifty million Americans being affected annually. Thankfully, there are several remedies to battle acne, including a huge score of botanical extracts. Some of these acne-fighting herbal ingredients include:
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Calendula
- Rosemary.
- Retinol
- Tea tree oil
Witch hazel is specifically praised for getting rid of excess skin oil while reducing the redness and bruising caused by acne breakouts, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. These plant-based ingredients are often used in place of laboratory-made chemical alternatives like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
In summary, many botanical extracts contain anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and antimicrobial potency. When included in natural skin care products, they are also affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Alongside their use in beauty creams, soaps, and other beauty products, this piece summarizes the various ways botanical extracts can benefit your skincare regimen.
