It would have been unthinkable to formulate many of our products, including our Sensitive and Anti-aging Skincare lines, without utilizing and harnessing the incredible benefits of the Comfrey plant.
Familiar to many gardeners, and non-gardeners alike, the Comfrey plant is a ‘vital weed’ that grows in ditches along roadsides in much of North America and is a common freshwater and wetland plant in the United Kingdom and North America. The green, fuzzy and succulent leaves that blossoms into clusters of purple and white flowers have been prized by Native Americans for centuries for wound healing.
However, when it comes to ‘plant-ceuticals’ it’s the ‘Roots of Comfrey‘ which are the most meaningful to us. The roots of this plant widespread and reach deep into the soil to become enriched with natural nutrients, mucilage, minerals, and a ‘Secret Skin Active‘ (discussed later).
Is Comfrey Good for the Skin?
The extract of Comfrey root is used in skincare because of its remarkable skin healing and calming properties.
In Ayurveda, Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is regarded as the ultimate Pitta balancer. ‘Cool’, ‘Moist’, and ‘Healing’ are the key attributes of this botanical. Thus, Comfrey works to remove excess heat, inflammation, and dryness.
It is drenched in natural mucilage polysaccharides that not only moisturizes and calms the skin but also supports cellular regeneration.
All of this makes Comfrey one of the most important ingredients of our Anti-aging, Pitta-Dosha line, and Organic Body Butter products.
What Is the Difference Between Comfrey and Allantoin?
Allantoin is a natural compound, medically proven to work as an excellent moisturizer/ emollient for preventing dry & rough skin. It locks-in moisture for skin with low levels of natural Net Hyaluronic Acid Content.
The compound also alleviates redness and inflammation associated with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and other sensitive skin conditions.
It is Allantoin – the ‘secret skin elixir’ we mentioned in the beginning of this article. Comfrey root extract has an abundance of natural allantoin (~0.6 to 4.7%) along with other phytoactives like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, proteins, vitamins, minerals etc.
Why is Comfrey used in the SBR Line?
Owing to its incredible anti-inflammatory properties, Comfrey is great for calming Sensitive, Blemished, and Rosacea-prone (SBR/ Pitta) skin. It instantly relieves pain and treats the underlying cause of redness.
Rosmarinic acid and tannic acid in the botanical heals wounds faster. It is also used in our On the Spot Blemish Treatment for instant relief from acne redness and discomfort.
Does Comfrey Support Anti-aging?
Comfrey (as Allantoin) is a vital ingredient of PVO’s Collagen Boost Serum, Rejuv Serum, and SBR Serum – the three cardinal products of our anti-aging lines.
Allantoin stimulates the fibroblasts to produce collagen. As the collagen and hydration levels optimize, there is remarkable regression in the natural aging process of the skin. Using it along with PVO’s Peptide-based Serum keeps your skin looking wrinkle-free and younger for years to come…
An added benefit:
Being a natural coolant, Allantoin in SunProtect SPF 30+ also soothes the skin and protects it from sunburn and UVB-induced erythema or skin redness.
