We have all slathered on a floral-based skin cream or spritzed their scent, but a new Australian ‘cellular level’ extraction process means that we may soon be getting more – More scent! More skin benefits! More efficacies! – from our garden-variety floral friends.
Here’s the pick of the bunch when it comes to the Nature’s native genius …
GARDENIA: When you think Gardenia, you think modern romance and whimsy – as obviously Reece Witherspoon did to add it to her Avon fragrance, In Bloom. But did you know that when extracted, Gardenia delivers an abundance of bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. If Natives Extracts has their way, this traditionally fresh and clean fragrance favourite may soon be at the forefront of a natural cosmetics movement in part because it is higher in antioxidant activity than vitamin E and contains numerous anti-inflammatory properties to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
From left: Avon In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon, $59.99, Pevonia Power Repair Age Correction Intensifier DNA and Diacetyl Boldine, $132, from selected spas, and Deep Muk – 1 Minute Ultra Soft Treatment, $23.95, from selected salons
FRANGIPANI: No doubt Frangipani’s are fresher than a pre-teen at a Bieber concert, but this tropical wonder – used universally in fragrances, oils and cosmetic ranges – is also being extracted for its skin and hair hydration and rejuvenation attributes. It may help bind cells together, to keep skin supple and toned, making it a hugely active anti-ageing ingredient. It also has a great capacity to diminish oxidative stress and support a healthy immune system function.
From left: The Urban Rituelle Beachcomber Frangipani Soap Bar, $5.95, from Urban Rituelle, Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, $69, from selected spas, and De Lorenzo Elements Water Barrel Wave, $22.95, from selected salons.
LILY OF THE NILE (AGAPANTHUS): is a South African native flower that grows in grassland and is hugely important within skincare and haircare. So popular in the latter due to its ability to reduces static electricity and impart volume, lightness and gloss within the hair follicle. Also important in cosmetics, it is greatly tolerated by the skin and improves resilience towards aggressive detergents by building up a film on the skin and hair, resulting in a surface smoothness.
From left: Sisley Paris Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily, $125, from department stores, The Body Shop Scents Of The World Body Mist in Amazonian Wild Lily, $25.95 and Clairol Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Leave In Cream, $5.99, from supermarkets.
Although the above products aren’t linked to the new extraction process, they are beneficial – and blissful – in beauty products.
So tell me, do you buy beauty based on the flower they are drawing from? Or are you in fact more inquisitive about how they are extracted?
Do tell!
ecb x
