Botanical ingredients have long been recognized for providing effective yet gentle skincare solutions that are well tolerated by all skin types. Derived from seeds, leaves, roots, flowers and fruits such as rhubarb root extract or linden flower, these potency botanical products help firm and smooth skin while simultaneously improving texture and brightness.
Nourishing and Hydrating
Botanicals offer a refreshing natural alternative in an otherwise chemical-laden world of skincare products, providing relief without harming skin in any way. Derived from herbs, roots, fruits, seeds and flowers derived from around the globe – botanicals have long been utilized by cultures around the globe as plant extracts that hydrate, soothe, brighten and protect skin.
Clean and non-toxic beauty and skincare solutions meet increasing demands for natural solutions by including vitamins, antioxidants, essential oils and other beneficial components that provide more than simple hydration for the skin. Such ingredients have become staples of non-toxic beauty and skincare lines that respond to these demand trends.
Botanical ingredients contain antioxidants that fight free radicals that damage skin and accelerate aging, while providing relief from oxidative stress. Rosehip oil is one such anti-ageing and scar-reducer, while olive leaf water acts as a deep hydrator without clogging pores while providing anti-ageing properties to promote firmer complexions – two reasons why botanical ingredients have become staple components in today’s best-selling skincare solutions.
Gentle Formulation
Consumers increasingly embrace environmental responsibility and have responded by seeking natural skincare ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Many natural skincare items use only natural surfactants such as sodium cocoyl isethionate or mild surfactant/chelating agents like BTMS 25 in addition to gentle essential oil blends for formulation.
Natural waxes derived from plant seeds, pips or nuts are popular natural cosmetic ingredients. Used frequently as part of oil phases in emulsion formulations, their soft, natural texture provides gentle skin protection while their protective barrier properties offer good barrier benefits.
Botanical oils are another popular cosmetic ingredient, known for being gentle on skin and can be added to various products hydrating facial oils and serums. Packed full of fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins they are an ideal way to retain moisture, promote cell renewal and protect against environmental aggressors.
Non-Toxic
Once you’ve switched to organic foods and completed a detox program for your body, transitioning to non-toxic body products should be the next step. These products contain natural ingredients free from potentially hazardous chemicals like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde or synthetic fragrances – an essential step for optimal skin and body care.
Though many products on the market claim to be non-toxic, it’s important to read their ingredient list to ensure it truly is free from dangerous chemicals. Sometimes these toxins can be hidden under “fragrance”, but more than 50% of beauty products contain at least some of these toxic elements like phthalates.
Non-toxic brands such as Beautycounter, Ilia Beauty and Matrescence are committed to safer standards by creating high-performing products using natural and ethically sourced ingredients. Additional non-toxic options to consider are Little Barn Apothecary, EcoRoots Mad Hippie and May Linstrom Skin whose collections offer zero waste or zero plastic packaging options – an eco-friendly alternative.
Sustainable
Though many botanical beauty products contain natural ingredients, not all are eco-friendly. Many require long travel distances to source exotic plants which increase carbon emissions and overharvesting; additionally, processing, manufacturing and packaging processes leave their mark on the environment.
Sustainable skincare starts by choosing non-toxic, organic and cruelty-free products. Support greener business practices by selecting brands with recyclable or recycled packaging; other ways of going green include using washable makeup remover pads or bamboo cotton swabs which help reduce waste.
Look for ingredients like glycerine, which boosts skin’s hygroscopic properties and allows it to retain water more effectively. Select a brand that uses only organic botanicals and commits to sustainability by, for instance, donating proceeds to grassroots, BIPOC-led organizations or working with TerraCycle for recycling plastic spray nozzles. Microbeads should also be avoided as these are too small to be filtered out by water treatment plants and may end up harming marine life.
