10 Benefits Of Botanical Skincare

In this guide, we'll go over the top ten benefits of using botanical skincare products. It is no surprise that plant-based skincare products are rising in popularity. Consumers increasingly want to find and use natural and ultra-gentle skincare. For many, going plant-based with their skincare routine has seen their skin health improve dramatically. 

What is botanical skincare?

Before we dive into the benefits of using botanical skincare products, we need to go over exactly what it means. Botanical skincare focuses on using plant-based ingredients instead of animal or synthetic ingredients. Synthetic chemicals are commonly found in mass-produced skincare whilst botanical skincare tends to be produced on a much smaller scale.

Plant-based skincare products are rich in natural ingredients. These may contain pressed extracts or distilled essential oils from a variety of botanical sources including:

• Herbs
• Flowers
• Seeds
• Nuts
• Roots
• Barks
• Leaves
• Berries

The extracts from these sources are usually in powder or liquid form and are often very concentrated. The benefit of this is that only a small amount needs to be used in a skincare product.

The beneficial properties of plants have been known for millennia, and with advancements in science, more properties have been unearthed, from aiding with skin moisturising and acne healing to dark spot reduction.

What are the benefits of natural skincare products?

1. Anti-inflammatory properties

Studies have shown that certain botanical ingredients help treat inflammatory conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. These conditions affect skin texture and appearance, they can also cause a person discomfort due to the pain and pruritus they can experience.

Using a product that has evening primrose oil for example can help soothe and moisturise your skin. It will also help enhance the elasticity and texture of your skin, helping with irritation, dryness, or wrinkles. The essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil help reduce moisture loss and strengthen your skin's natural barrier.

2. Filled with antioxidants

Antioxidants work to protect the cells in our body from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable atoms that react with other molecules or atoms in your body, causing stress, damage, and ageing symptoms. They can damage the delicate inner or outer layer of our body's cells.

If your cells are exposed to free radicals over a long period of time, it will result in your skin starting to show early signs of ageing. Your skin will start to appear sallow, dull, or grey. You can also experience a loss of elasticity in your skin and an increase in wrinkles.

Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, will provide your cells with natural protection. They will also assist with skin regeneration. These antioxidants are found in many plant-based products.

3. Anti-ageing benefits

Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UV) rays is one of the primary causes of premature skin ageing. You can also experience this through tanning beds. Your skin and complexion will start to look older than it actually is.

Some symptoms of early skin ageing include:

• Uneven skin tone
• Wrinkles
• Freckles
• Sun, age, or dark spots
• Dryness

If you need to remedy any of these issues, many natural skincare products contain ingredients designed to slow down the ageing process. Many plant-based ingredients contain a high amount of antioxidants that work to aid and prevent the skin's ageing.

Some of these ingredients include liquorice root extract, acai, olive oil, caffeine, and green tea. These ingredients include a high amount of antioxidants like lycopene, polyphenols, and vitamin C.

4. Antibacterial and antimicrobial

There are bacteria that live in your skin's microbiome. They don't cause any harm to your skin, but there are certain types of bacteria that can invade your microbiome and cause damage. Many botanical ingredients provide anti-bacterial/anti-microbial benefits.

A lot of traditional medicines have used plants and other natural products to aid in the body's infections, and they can help your skin as well. Some natural ingredients that have antimicrobial properties are:

• Tea tree oil
• Chamomile
• Honey

You can also look for products that contain probiotics that will help support good bacteria growing in your skin's microbiome.

5. Environmentally friendly

The manufacturing of conventionally made skincare products can release synthetic chemicals into water supplies that leach into our streams and rivers, causing damage to aquatic life.

Natural based products are derived naturally from the earth. Ingredients that are biocompatible with the planet leave no damage after use. Using minimalist skincare products and using fewer products will also reduce the impact you make on the planet.

6. Healthier for you

Did you know that your skin is your body's largest organ? It works as a waterproof protectant for your body and is our defence mechanism against harmful substances including bacteria and other organisms. Our skin does so much for us—you want to treat it well. 

A lot of personal cosmetic products contain dozens of chemicals. However, if you want clarity, transparency and control over what goes on your skin, you want to select products that contain fewer ingredients that are good for you. 

7. Part of holistic wellness

Every aspect of your life should contribute to your overall wellness, including your skincare products. By choosing natural skincare products, you're making a healthy lifestyle decision that takes into account the health of your body and the environment. A holistic approach to skincare also seeks to remedy the causes of any skin issues you're having, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Your skincare routine should leave you feeling refreshed and good at the end. Choosing healthy products will only add to that. Botanical ingredients will leave your skin feeling amazing and the rest of you feeling rejuvenated.

8. Conscious skincare

As a low-scale business that prioritises using botanical ingredients, we are committed to having a smaller impact on the environment through creating are vegan certified products that are made locally in the UK. 

9. Reduces acne scarring

If you have moderate to mild acne scarring or discolouration there are many botanical ingredients that can help alleviate those issues. Fruit enzymes are a great alternative to acid exfoliators and they help remove dead skin cells from your face, paving the way for new, healthier cells to grow. Using fruit enzymes regularly can rejuvenate and regenerate your skin cells over a period of time.

10. Remove additional pollutants from skin

Cleansing your face at the end of the day is essential to removing dirt and grime. However, there's not just dust and dirt sitting on your face. You often have chemical pollution from your environment on your skin.

A high-quality facial cleanser that contains natural botanical ingredients will not only remove the dirt but the bacteria from pollution as well. It will cleanse your skin, resulting in calmer and smoother skin.

Ingredients like lavender, sunflower, and hazelnut oil work together to exfoliate your skin, cleansing it, and opening your pores. Finish your skincare routine off with a cream that locks in moisture.