The 5 Most Common Plant Extracts Used In Cosmetics

In the world of cosmeticsit’s hard to keep track of today’s skincare ingredients. Nearly everyone claims to provide silky smooth skin, remove wrinkles and give you a radiant glow without any side effects. The fact is most of these ingredients tend to come from little-known plants. 

According to The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, potent botanical extracts are among the most used ingredients in today’s cosmeceutical products. That’s great news for anyone who wants to achieve flawless skin naturally. However, there’s one problem – many natural ingredients are not always potent enough to address your specific skin concerns. 

That’s why it’s important to use products that contain the best plant-based ingredients in their purest form for your skin. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective natural extracts that could make a difference to your skin.

1. Kalanchoe Leaf Extract (Kalanchoe Daigremontiana)

With dark fleshy green leaves and tall stems, Kalanchoe is a well-known medicinal plant, extensively used in several regions of the world. Due to its incredible antioxidant properties, Kalanchoe leaf extract offers excellent protection to keratinocyte (skin) cells from reactive oxygen species. 

Furthermore, Kalanchoe leaf extract has exceptional water retention capacity that makes it a wonderful ingredient to promote the skin’s natural hydration mechanism. In fact, Kalanchoe extract has been shown to increase hyaluronic acid production in the skin by over 3.6 times. 

Hyaluronic is a crucial compound to retain skin’s resilience, pliability, and turgor. Daily use of Kalanchoe leaf extract in the form of trusted products like Deep Facial Foaming Cleanser andAHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner can help you attain a smoother and more plump complexion. 

2. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Erectum extract)

A flowering plant species, St. John’s Wort, in the form of tinctures and oils, is mainly used to treat minor burns and wounds, bruises, sunburns, ulcers, and abrasions, among others. The most active compounds in St. John’s Wort are that have proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. 

St. John’s Wort also supports the skin’s natural repair process. For example, it helps in the proper growth of skin cells (keratinocyte) that is essential for a healthy complexion. Its astringent properties can help keep your skin toned and tout and get rid of excess oil or sebum. 

3. Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Extract

Native to America’s tropical regions, Theobroma cacao is well known for its seeds (cocoa seeds) that are the key ingredient in chocolates and cocoa powder. Theobroma cacao also works as an emollient in skincare products because of its potent occlusive properties. When applied, it covers your skin with a water repellent layer that prevents the skin’s natural moisturizer from evaporating and promotes intense skin hydration. It also contains polyphenol antioxidants that help protect your skin from free radical damage. 

4. Blackberry Leaf Extract (Rubus Fruticosus)

European blackberry extract has been used as a herbal medicine for centuries due to its powerful antimicrobial, anti-dysentery, anticancer, anti-diarrheal, and antidiabetic properties. Furthermore, Rubus Fruticosus is a natural antioxidant that can protect your body and skin from free radical damage, at par with Vitamin E. Blackberry leaf extract is abundant in many biologically active and skin-friendly compounds, including fruit acids, tannins, and flavonoids.

5. Green Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia Sinensis)

Camellia Sinensis is a small tree whose leaf buds, as well as leaves, are primarily used for tea production. Green tea extract is made from steamed and dried Camellia Sinensis leaves. An important component of green tea extract is EGCG or polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate that has been widely studied for its incredible skin and health benefits.

When used on the face, this compound (EGCG) of green tea extract offers excellent protection against phototoxicity and photocarcinogenesis. Regular use can also help decrease oxidative stress while boosting antioxidant activity after UV exposure. In simpler terms, green tea extract is a wonderful plant-based ingredient that has amazing anti-aging properties.

So, if you’re looking for the best quality skin care products containing the purest ingredients like Kalanchoe leaf extract along with other proven compounds like AHAs, and BHAs, be sure to check our range of skincare products here

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