Herbal skincare cosmetics—products that use raw plants and their extracts—are like food for the skin.
Different plants have unique benefits (some can help control acne, others fight wrinkles), but in general, they provide useful nutrients and minerals without the side effects and irritation that come from products formulated with chemicals.
Women are reaching for them more frequently in their personal care routines, and you can even find plant-based cosmetics like lipsticks, eye shadows, and blush.
Herbal and Botanical Based Products
Herbal skincare and botanical-based products are free from synthetic chemicals that are toxic to the skin. Instead of relying on traditional synthetics, these formulas use parts of plants, including their extracts, for their skin-boosting nutrients.
Aloe vera, for example, is a widely available plant that heals, moisturizes, and softens your skin. Many plants also contain vitamin E, a nutrient that’s essential for a radiant, healthy complexion.
One of the biggest benefits of these natural ingredients is that they’re hypo-allergenic and dermatologist-approved for use.
Synthetic Products
Synthetic ones, on the other hand, can cause irritation and even allergic reactions or rashes, and consumers are increasingly concerned about the presence of chemicals and minerals oils in the creams and makeup they wear day after day.
For example, a synthetic antioxidant called BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is sometimes used as a preservative in lipsticks and moisturizers.
But the ingredient can cause allergic reactions and has even been deemed as possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Herbal cosmetics employ good-for-you natural antioxidants like vitamin C, instead.
In cosmetics, herbal skincare products contain ingredients are suitable for all skin types, and skin tones. Even those with sensitive or oily skin can find formulas that are compatible with their complexion. They won’t clog pores, cause pimples, or irritate the skin.
And the category of natural and herbal skincare cosmetics is growing. Beyond serums and creams, you can also find eyeshadows, lipsticks, foundations, and even mascaras that are formulated without coal tar-derived ingredients commonly found in synthetic-based products (which, like BHA, could be carcinogenic, too).
Herbal Ingredients
Herbal skincare formulas are usually made without parabens—preservatives that can penetrate the skin and interfere with your hormones—and they’re cruelty free, meaning they rely on lab equipment to make sure they’re safe for skin, rather than testing them out on animals.
You have a world of options to choose from when it comes to herbal and botanical ingredients. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer; sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic inclusion in many emulsions for your face or body.
Jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural oils so well that it can restore your complexion’s natural pH if it’s been compromised by pollutants, sun exposure, or harsh cleansers (which yields balanced, happy skin). And the rich fatty acids in olive oil make it an efficient addition to lotions and conditioners for your hair.
Some herbal skincare ingredients have proven anti-aging benefits. Carrot seed oil works to revitalize the skin; it’s bright orange because of its levels of beta carotene, which converts into wrinkle-preventing vitamin A. The leaves and nuts of Gingko trees have been used in Asia for thousands of years to improve circulation, treat depression, and they have beneficial antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. For skin-protecting antioxidants, you have plenty of plant-based options; calendula, green tea, turmeric, and tamarind to name a few.
Steven Wang, MD and Gui Wang, LAc have been working together for over 20 years to provide potent, herbal remedies for spas and individuals around the world. The father-son duo mixes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with cutting edge scientific advances with the aim of bringing relief, comfort, and happiness to our customers. Our products are the result of decades of dedicated research.
We believe that utilizing both modern Western medicine and time-honored Eastern medicine allows us to provide unique skincare solutions. To learn more, read what experts from The New York Times, Allure, Reader’s Digest, and more have to say about our revolutionary products.