Plant based skincare uses natural ingredients that are a great choice for your skin. These are free from harsh chemicals that may cause damage over time.
Vitamin-rich plant extracts help to restore, balance and strengthen the body’s cells. While the fatty acids from plants assist in calming acne, fighting dryness, combating oiliness, smoothing scars and increasing skin’s elasticity.
Green Tea Extract
One of the most popular ingredients for plant based skincare, Green Tea Extract is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps protect skin from damage and aging. It soothes irritated skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evens out discoloration, helps control sebum production to prevent acne breakouts, boosts the skin’s elasticity, and gives dull complexions a healthy glow. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it an ideal ingredient for those with sensitive skin.
Green Tea Extract can be found in many of our skincare products, including face masks and serums. The fatty acids in the extract help to keep the skin hydrated and improve tone and texture, while the antioxidants work hard to protect against the signs of aging. A gentle approach to skincare, these natural ingredients are better for your skin and the planet. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other skincare essentials, like vitamin C, to give your skin a healthy glow.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the best plant-based ingredients around. It is healing, nourishing and an essential component in many good skin care serums and moisturizers.
It has been shown to help restore skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Aloe is also known to stimulate the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, fibroblast cells and the growth of new skin tissue.
It also contains multiple antiseptic agents including lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen and cinnamonic acid which act to inhibit bacteria and fungus growth. It also helps to heal cuts and burns, especially from razors and smaller nicks & cuts.
Chamomile
The soothing properties of chamomile help soothe the skin, making it an ideal ingredient for those with sensitive skin. It also works to hydrate and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This ingredient has been used in skincare products for centuries, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt where it was said to slow signs of aging.
This flower (also known as Anthemis nobilis) contains a variety of beneficial phytochemicals, but most importantly for skin care, it inhibits the release of a potent pro-inflammatory chemical in your body called prostaglandin E2 and decreases the production of histamine, which is responsible for your allergic reactions (59-61).
You can find this ingredient in creams, ointments, lotions, and tinctures, or you can incorporate it into your beauty routine with a facial serum, mask, or hydrating mist. You can make a tea by steeping the flowers in water or use it as an oral rinse/gargle by diluting it with water.
Caffeine
We’re not just talking about your morning cup of joe – this simple, effective ingredient is also gaining popularity in skincare products. From Frank Body’s coffee-infused scrubs to Sukin’s energizing eye cream, caffeine is being incorporated into plant-based skincare more than ever.
The active molecule helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles or puffiness under eyes while boosting skin’s elasticity. It also helps increase circulation and hydrates the complexion. Unlike when consumed, applying caffeine to the skin (up to a concentration of 3%), is safe and nontoxic, and can even encourage better absorption of your other favourite ingredients.
Caffeine-infused skincare products may also help decrease sun damage, protect against premature aging, and stimulate hair growth. It can even help scavenge free radicals and increase collagen production.