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Benefits of botanical extracts & actives in skin and hair care
Skin and hair care products include ingredients that work in synergy to deliver the expected results. These ingredients are known as actives and extracts. Cosmetic actives are ingredients used in skincare that have a specific purpose or function. They play a crucial role in providing visible results such as improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles, brightening complexion, hair conditioning and more.
Active ingredients and extracts are raw materials that are used to give extra good properties to cosmetic products. There are both water-soluble and fat-soluble active substances. The fat-soluble ones are used in fat-based products, and the water-soluble ones in water-based products. In emulsions such as creams and lotions, you can use both fat- and water-soluble actives. When it comes to natural and organic products, botanical actives and extracts are the go-to ingredients.
Benefits of botanical actives for the skin
These plant based actives and extract are used in skincare and possess various benefits.
Bakuchiol: Bakuchiol is 100% natural and is extracted from the Babchi seeds. It is suitable for all skin types: dry, sensitive, oily or combination skin. Only in exceptional cases such as rosacea or eczema should bakuchiol be used with caution. Bakuchiol is effective against skin aging and acne like retinol, but without the disadvantages of retinol, such as skin irritation or photochemical instability. Against skin aging, bakuchiol has a stimulating effect on collagen production, reduces wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and can increase skin elasticity and strength. It controls the overproduction of bacteria on the skin, inhibits pro-inflammatory genes and enzymes, and reduces keratinization of the skin. In addition, it does not make the skin sensitive to light, so it can also be used safely in the morning. However, it is important to use sun protection.
Bisabolol: It is a natural α-bisabolol, gentle and effective and it has long been used in cosmetics for its anti-irritation, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and soothing benefits. It is an excellent addition for protection of the skin against daily environmental stress. It is also a very effective anti-inflammatory agent, supports wound healing, soothes irritated skin, works as an anti-irritant as well as significantly reduces pro-inflammatory factors and suppresses redness on sun-damaged skin.
Caffeine extract: It comes in powder form and is a popular ingredient used in cosmetics for its lipolytic and draining activity, valuable in stimulating skin and hair care applications, eye contour, body contour and anti-cellulite preparations. In addition, caffeine also transports other active ingredients, for example against skin aging and wrinkles, more quickly through the cell layers of the skin. Caffeine unfolds its full effect, for example, when treating a swollen eye area. In the case of thick eyelids and dark rings around the eyes, caffeine’s dehydrating effect helps to remove the accumulated fluid and smooth the skin.
Marigold extract: is highly rich in phytosterols and active principles with anti-inflammatory, wound healing, photo-protective and collagen-stimulating effects. It is a concentrated extract that provides benefits to damaged skin, skin exposed to sun and environmental stressors. It is rich in photoprotective phytosterols, possesses strong anti-inflammatory activity, enhances cell tissue formation, helps accelerate wound healing, encourages collagen production nourishing and helps protect the skin against harmful environmental stress.
Curcuma Xanthorrhiza CO2 extract: is derived from the rhizome of turmeric which grows in Southeast Asia and belongs to the ginger family. The rhizome and root of this plant contain useful constituents that have traditionally been used in the treatment of acne and skin inflammations. Several studies have shown antimicrobial activity. It has skin soothing properties and can be used in formulations for dry, irritated or cracked skin but also, because of its antimicrobial properties, for problem skin such as acne or eczema.
In hair care, herbal and plant extracts are used for strengthening roots, boosting volume, treating chronic scalp dryness, conditioning the hair, providing the appearance of a plump, fuller and more voluminous hair.
Burdock root extract: Burdock root extract is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of skin diseases (eczema, acne, psoriasis,…), especially for daily and flaky scalp. Burdock disinfects hair and gently exfoliates the scalp so it is a remedy for oiliness. It balances the level of sebum secretion so scalp is no longer oily and prevents hair thinning as well.
Chamomile extract: Chamomile is the most popular, widely-available and known plant for ages for hair nourishing and scalp conditioning substance. Chamomile extract soothes irritations, softens the hair and gently disinfects the scalp. Chamomile is also used in tea rinse to lighten hair.
Centella asiatica (gotu kola): Centella Asiatica is an ancient remedy that has been used for thousands of years in India . The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties make the extracts from the plant a very interesting ingredient in cosmetics. It promotes wound healing and collagen formation, has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effect. It also promote hair growth. Centella Asiatica is also called tiger grass or pennywort.
Green tea extract: Green tea extract has a high content of polyphenols and can protect against environmental influences, acts as a radical scavenger and antioxidant. The antioxidant effect is twice as high as that of vitamin E. It is anti-inflammatory, regenerates damaged skin, has an astringent and toning effect and works well for thinning hair because it hinders hair loss. Green tea extract has excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. For this reason, it is recommended for many applications in skin, body and hair care products.
Ginseng extract: Ginseng brings amazing hair benefits as it enhances the synthesis of protein, makes hair more resistant to damage and beautifies, increasing body. Ginseng extract has antioxidant properties and improves blood flow in the scalp (therefore strengthens hair matrix).
Horsetail extract: is used in preparations for irritated skin and scalp, in shampoos and conditioners, creams and lotions for firming. It has a strengthening effect on the hair, nails and connective tissue of the skin, promotes blood circulation and has an anti-inflammatory effect thanks to the high silicon, potassium and calcium content. It also stimulates hair growth. Horsetail extract is highly popular and common in hair cosmetics.
Licorice root extract: This extract is used in sensitive and refreshing skin and hair care applications for its anti-inflammatory effects. While the extract from the root of the liquorice plant has been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect and against hyperpigmentation (e.g. “age spots”), it is also recommended for curing Infections, reducing hair fall, preventing greying of hair, promoting hair regrowth, preventing balding, moisturizing the scalp.
Rosemary extract: Rosemary is a natural antioxidant that slows down hair ageing. It prevents greying and stops hair loss. Rosemary extract is ideal for heavy, weighed down and oily hair and is soothing and purifying for skin and hair.A natural extract with great effectiveness, valuable in cosmetics for its strong antioxidant activity. It also helps prevent rancidity of vegetable oils and essential oils, by delaying the oxidation of cosmetic preparations containing plant derived lipids.
Sage extract: is botanically known as Salvia which comes from the Latin word salvare meaning “to cure.” While sage hair rinse is recommended for treating excessive sebum production and greasy hair, the extract is used for dandruff control and to restore colour to graying hair. It also adds body and gently lifts hair roots. Due to its antimicrobial and aromatising properties, sage extract is used in a variety of cosmetic products such as skin care creams, cleansing products and perfumes. In addition, sage extract is said to promote hair growth and is therefore suitable for use in hair care products and shampoos.
Willow bark extract: The white willow is a small tree of the willow family that is naturally native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and has been one of the most important medicinal plants for centuries. White Willow Bark extract is completely water soluble and can be used in any cosmetic formulation to increase cell turnover, as a natural antimicrobial agent or as a substitute for synthetic salicylic acid.The flavonoids and polyphenols contained in this extract are excellent antioxidants, combat hair loss and promote new growth support the scalp’s capillaries and maintain the collagen in your body, thus preventing hair fall while allowing new strands to grow healthy and strong.
By choosing herbs and plant extracts which are (macerated in natural hair oils) you are sure to enjoy the benefits of these extracts. These botanical active and extracts are among the many used in skin and hair care.
Before purchasing products that are labeled as natural and/ organic, it is important to read the ingredients list in order to help you select the right products that will benefit your hair and scalp.
