Flower extracts have been used as distillations in aromatherapy, perfumery, medicinal treatments and natural skin & hair care for over 2,000 years. These floral extracts/essential oils not only add color and luxurious fragrance to products, but they are highly prized in the ‘clean beauty’ genre for their outstanding healing and cell rejuvenating properties.
Just a few drops of some of the most popular floral essentials oils can meet a host of your daily beauty needs. Read more to find out the benefits of floral power in skin and hair care:
How Are Flower Extracts Obtained?
Flowers have evolved for about 1.2 billion years, where they have protected and adjusted themselves according to environmental aggressors, like oxidative stress, UV rays, climate variations, frost, etc. This property of floral botanicals is stored in the form of molecules/phytochemicals, which are extracted under strict lab protocols into beneficial oils or extracts.
Most flower extracts are obtained as concentrated essential oils through the method of steam distillation. Dried flowers are passed through a hot steam where tiny molecules open up to release therapeutic oils, nutrients and liquids. The active components of these oils/extracts are then infused in products to help rejuvenate damaged skin and hair.
The Most Beneficial Floral Ingredients
Different flowers provide different benefits to the skin and hair. Floral extracts contain vitamins, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and healing phytoactives that cleanse, moisturize, soothe as well as slow the signs of aging.
Here’s a list of the most popular flowers used in our natural beauty products:
1. Lavandula angustifolia – Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the best-known essential oils for its ability to promote relaxation and accelerate skin healing. With its cohort of powerful antioxidants, this calming oil in our SBR Serum treats skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, sunburn and also combats free radicals which are responsible for fine lines and wrinkles. Being an important ingredient in our Aloe Eye Serum, it smooths and calms puffy eyes and helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and crow’s feet in the delicate eye skin. Lavender also calms blemishes and reduces sudden acne breakouts.
Lavender Oil has some outstanding hair restructuring effects. Our Organic Shampoos & Conditioners and Shine On Serum with Lavender provides deep nourishment and maintains a healthy oil balance.
2. Calendula officinalis – Calendula Essential Oil
Known for its anti-inflammatory, soothing and moisturizing properties, Calendula essential oil works best for normal, dry and sensitive complexions. It contains carotenoids and flavonoids, which neutralize free radicals and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and deep expression lines. Calendula Extract/Oil is a superior conditioning agent and is significantly effective at treating conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
3. Echinacea purpurea – Echinacea Flower Extract
Echinacea or Purple Coneflower is rich in flavonoids, Vitamin C, and bioactives like echinacein and inulin & polysaccharides that strengthen the protective lipid barrier of the skin and keeps it taut and hydrated from the inside out. The combination of powerful antioxidants plus hydrating phytoactives, makes Echinacea extract one of the most effective natural ingredients in our anti-aging BioScience Peptide Complex and Eyeline Prevention Oil that help fight wrinkles, crow’s feet and deep expression lines. Using it as Organic Facial Mask cleans out pores and balances your complexion without drying.
4. Rosa damascena – Rose Essential Oil
Everyone’s most loved fragrance, Rose Essential Oil is the perfect ingredient for flawless skin and naturally shiny hair. Rich in Vitamin A and astringent properties, rose-based products work great for skin with enlarged pores and those prone to acne and blemishes. It’s an ideal addition to our Collagen Boost Serum, which help reduce wrinkles and fine lines by boosting/amplifying collagen production and helps prevent and fade dark spots due to hyperpigmentation.
Our Shine On Serum with real rose petals provides deep shine and conditioning to dry and frizzy hair. The lightweight formula repairs split ends and reconstructs damaged hair fibers.
5. Pelargonium graveolens – Geranium Flower Extract
Geranium contains therapeutic actives like eugenol, citronellol, geraniol, linolool, citrol, methone, myrtenol and terpineol, etc. all of which are proven effective for deep cleansing and nourishing the skin.
Geranium Extract works as the ultimate zit zapper, as it rapidly calms inflammation, while helping to tighten pores and control oiliness in kapha complexions. Blending it with carrier oils like Sweet Almond Oil or Grapeseed Oil in organic shampoos and conditioners restores natural pH of the scalp and adds volume and hydration to lackluster hair.
The full benefits of these healing floral ingredients are achieved only when they are wildgathered sustainably, cold-pressed and infused in clinically proven ratios with suitable carrier oils in organic skin and hair care products. To learn more about how our other ingredients help transform skin and hair, click here.
