5 skin-loving summer ingredients
July 12, 2020
3 min read
We’re not shy about our love of all things botanical, with our skincare harnessing the power of naturally active ingredients wherever possible. So, with summer in full swing, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the superstar ingredients helping you achieve your radiant warm weather glow, and who better to share their natural knowledge than our resident Ethnobotanist, James Wong?
Aloe Vera
For centuries, nobody knew aloe vera’s origins until 5 years ago when my colleagues at Kew Gardens mapped all the species of wild aloes on a plant ‘family tree’, based on the appearance of their leaves. They found its original home was the Arabian Peninsula, where it had been spread across the world by ancient trade routes! Ever since, aloes have been valued for the slippery gel contained within their leaves, acting as a water store to keep the plant's delicate cells hydrated in the extreme desert sun. These remarkable cooling, calming properties have made this humble species one of the most widely used plants on the planet.
Where can you find it?
Its hydrating properties make it a key ingredient in our refreshing Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic!
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus trees are some of the richest sources of essential oils – on hot days, you can even see their droplets as a blue haze drifting off the canopies. That’s why the Blue Mountains in Australia are… well, blue! The oil is extracted by steaming eucalyptus leaves to break open the plant cells, allowing these fragrant compounds to mix with the steam. When cooled, the steam converts to water with a thin layer of the precious oil floating on top. A simple yet effective way to find the purest extract using minimal processing.
Where can you find it?
We use purifying eucalyptus essential oil in our beauty icon, Cleanse & Polish™.
Elderflower
Elder trees have been traditionally referred to as the 'medicine chest of the people’ because of the sheer number of uses the plant has; from decoctions of the bark, to tinctures and poultices made with the fruit and leaves. Recently, some of my colleagues at Kew Gardens ran a shop-bought bottle of elderflower cordial through their equipment and, to their surprise, came upon compounds previously unknown to science. That’s what I love about working with plants – even the most popular herbals out there can still surprise you!
Where can you find it?
Using Balancing Gel Mask as a summer’s day skin treat? It contains elderflower extract to help even the appearance of skin tone.
Eyebright
A common wildflower traditionally used for tired eyes, eyebright’s tiny, white flowers even look a little like eyes, with dark markings radiating out like eyelashes. Traditional beliefs held that signs like this in plants were clues from the gods on what they could be used for. As an ethnobotanist, I believe attaching stories like this to plant parts in a society where few people could read was an effective way to pass on traditional knowledge across generations – thanks to oral histories like this, we’re able to benefit from eyebright today.
Where can you find it?
OK, so the name gave it away – it’s the star of our summer essential, Eyebright™ Soothing Eye Lotion!
Witch hazel water
The soothing properties of witch hazel bark were originally discovered by Native Americans, who used a decoction made by simmering the roots to treat a wide range of skin conditions. This extract is so effective, it is still used today for a wide range of purposes, from soothing eyes to helping even complexion. Thanks to the ingenuity of those who discovered it, the dusty bark of an otherwise unremarkable tree has benefitted millions of people across the world.
Where can you find it?
Our fast-acting Brightening Clay Mask is enriched with toning witch hazel, perfect for a natural-looking summer glow.
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