Do you ever wonder how natural your beauty products are? This year, in particular, shoppers are adopting a more conscious approach to buying makeup and skincare that’s kind to skin and the environment; even the most unlikely brands are taking necessary steps to become more green and ‘clean’.
As a copywriter, I come across product trends daily, and recently, it appears the plant-based movement has had an enormous effect on the beauty industry. In my opinion, some of the beauty innovations are around plant-power right now. Here are the newest botanical ingredients that boast more efficacy than popular synthetic ingredients…
Why choose plant-powered skincare?
• It’s a kinder and gentler way to look after your skin. Chemical-based ingredients can often be harsh, which means that they can increase sensitivity, causing redness, inflammation and soreness and even skin flare-ups. With plant-based options, you’re supporting the skin’s natural microbiome, leaving it feeling balanced and healthy.
• Botanicals are biodegradable and undergo less harmful processing methods than synthetics.
• Your body automatically knows how to process them; they’re full of natural antioxidants, vitamins and emollients and so deliver powerful benefits.
Noteworthy Plant Ingredients
#1 CBD
You can’t escape the word CBD (Cannabidiol); this legal oil extracted from the cannabis plant seems to be used in everything lately, from confectionery to cleaning products. However, the real benefits come when you use it on your skin. A healer by nature, CBD helps to relieve dryness, soothe reactive skin and also limit oil secretions.
My Recommendation:
Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate
Kiehl’s knew they were creating an award-winning product when they made this herbal concentrate. Only 13 ingredients make up the 100% naturally derived oil, and 90% of which are fatty acids; this makes the oil a daily essential for stressed or imbalanced skin types.
Kiehl’s CBD comes from a cannabis Sativa plant in Germany – this oil isn’t non-psychoactive, and great care gets taken when harvesting the plant. For example, the seeds are harvested from September to October; they then use a mechanical cold pressing method to retain more nutrients, before the final filtration and purification step.
#2 Terpenes
CBD may be the ‘IT’ ingredient right now, but terpenes are next, mark my words; plant-therapy is the future. You can find terpenes in the cannabis plant, in herbs or many other citrus fruits.
Topically, terpenes reduce inflammation and offer antioxidant protection. They’re also responsible for relaxing the mind with their soothing scent.
My Recommendation:
DECLEOR Green Mandarin Scrub Mask
When you think of mandarin, you typically think of vitamin C; but this srub’s star ingredient is terpenes oil, naturally in the peel of green mandarin. As well as buffing away dead skin with natural sugars, this scrub doubles as a mask. The Green Mandarin Scrub Mask works to defend the skin from free radicals and prevent ageing. Delivering an energising glow to your complexion, while nourishing and smoothing.
#2 Cactus Flower
Cactus flower, also known as prickly pear is the hidden antioxidant everyone’s skincare routine needs. Their reputation for being able to survive in the desert makes them ideal for your skin; each plant is known to retain vitamins and minerals that your skin can rely on. Another fun fact? The cactus flower has 150% more vitamin E than argan oil, just imagine the antioxidant benefits!
My Recommendation:
Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum
YSL’s Night Reboot Serum features a special kind of cactus; the moonlight cactus flower, which is extremely rare as it only flowers once a year for a mere six hours. Not to mention, YSL also grows and harvests these flowers themselves in the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech – it’s pretty luxe. When acids combine with this exceptional and powerful plant extract, overnight, it will shield your skin from the harming effects of external aggressors, like pollutants and fatigue, giving your complexion the glowing boost it needs.
#3 Rice
Rice is an overlooked Asian skincare secret. For centuries, women made their own face washes and toners from pure rice and water. As it’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that are essential for skin health, rice is particularly good at reducing oxidative damage from the stress that ageing, UV and inflammation can cause skin.
My Recommendation:
My Clarins Re-Move Radiance Exfoliating Powder
Imagine a modern-age rice water and you get My Clarins’ Re-Move Exfoliating Powder; this exfoliator uses a combination of crushed grains of rice, cranberries and almond shells to remove dead skin cells. The skin-refining powder, which unlike other chemical options on the market cause less inflammation, so it’s kinder to skin. All you have do is mix it with water or your favourite face wash and buff away.
Find out more about Clarins’ latest vegan skincare range: My Clarins
#4 Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil isn’t just for cooking; infact, you’re better off using it just in skincare, as you’ll get way more benefits using it topically, especially if you have acne, redness or are dehydrated. The fact that this oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, means your skin’s moisture levels won’t be compromised.
My Recommendation:
REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser
When cleansing, it’s important to remember that tap water can actually dry the skin out more. However, REN’s Jelly Oil Cleanser contains sunflower seed extract. So when your skin is delicate, this cleanser will protect the skin’s natural moisture and prevent any dryness. The bonus? Omega 3 and 6 to restore the skin’s natural barrier. The result is skin that feels clean, refreshed but without the irritation that harsh cleansing agents can sometimes cause.
