Botanical beauty

Niamh Larkin, beauty specialist at Evergreen Health Foods in Mainguard St, Galway, offers some suggestions for how to embrace the power of botanicals

Botanical beauty refers to personal care products that are sourced from plants, flowers and herbal extracts – rather than created synthetically using artificial fragrances and preservatives. Botanicals have various benefits, including skin-softening, regenerating and anti-fungal properties, depending on where and how they are used.

Flower waters

There are several ways of incorporating botanicals into your skincare routine, depending on what’s available. Rose water and lavender water can be bought in spray bottles and used as facial mists to refresh the skin, act as a toner after cleansing, or to calm the senses. Flower waters are created during the steam distillation process of essential oil production, making them a very pure, very gentle skin tonic that can easily be introduced to any skincare regimen.

Essential oils

Flower waters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to botanical skincare! If you are looking to dive deeper into botanical skincare you could start by visiting the skincare department of your local health food store. This is where you will find essential oils, which can be added to a number of items in your current skincare plan, including your moisturiser, body lotions and even hair oils. If experimentation isn’t your thing, then go for natural ready-made versions of all of the above. There are natural, botanical variations of all personal care items available for men, women and children, which can be introduced gradually until the whole family is using cleaner, more natural products.

Lavender

Lavender is a soft, light flower and its properties follow suit. It is most commonly recognised as helping with sleep – with lavender oil often added to diffusers or drops placed under pillows to assist people in nodding off at night. Lavender is also anti-inflammatory and has an almost immediate pain-killing effect when applied to skin disruptions such as insect bites, stings, burns and hives. Just remember, as with all essential oils, lavender should be mixed with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, coconut or jojoba before being applied to the skin.

Lavender is also a popular botanical for use in hair and scalp care. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a top choice for sufferers of eczema and/or psoriasis of the scalp. Lavender oil mixed with a base or carrier oil and massaged into the scalp regularly can reduce redness and flakiness and also add moisture back into the scalp.

Lavender in haircare has a calming effect on the hair, so it works well for reducing fly-away hairs and frizz, giving soft and shiny results.

Rosemary

When it comes to hair care, another popular botanical ingredient is rosemary. It is renowned for its stimulating properties, making rosemary essential oil a great addition to oils intended for use on the scalp or hairline. Rosemary oil stimulates the hair follicles, which creates an environment in which new hair growth is supported. Rosemary is also said to strengthen the hair, resulting in thicker hair and less hair fall when used regularly.

Rosehip oil

Rosehip oil, derived from the fruit (or seed of the fruit) of the rose bush, is a fantastic botanical beauty product. The oil itself is rich in fatty acids, which give it its bright orange colour, but don’t let this put you off. Rosehip oil is easily absorbed by the skin and promotes the skin’s elasticity. This makes it the number one choice in plant oils for the treatment of scars, fine lines and stretchmarks as well as uneven skin tone, pigmentation and age spots. This oil can be used on the face or body and has been shown to aid in the reduction of skin redness caused by conditions such as rosacea and psoriasis.

Arnica

The most popular botanical ingredient for helping with recovery is the tried and trusted arnica montana flower. Arnica has been used for decades for its ability to accelerate the body’s healing process. Massage oils, creams, ointments and gels containing arnica can help to speed up the healing of bruises, strains and sprains as well as muscular and rheumatic pain. Arnica is sometimes added to eye creams to help with reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness as it has a soothing effect on the skin.

A quick guide to some more key botanicals

Aloe vera

Known as the “plant of immortality” by the ancient Egyptians, aloe vera is renowned for its hydrating, soothing and healing properties. Its gel is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which help to repair and regenerate skin cells, making it ideal for sunburn, acne and dry skin.

Argan oil

Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It is a good source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, making it an excellent moisturiser for both skin and hair.

Chamomile

Renowned for its calming effects, chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it an excellent ingredient for soothing sensitive skin, reducing redness, and helping conditions like eczema and rosacea.

Green tea

Celebrated for its antioxidant properties, green tea is a powerhouse in protecting the skin from environmental damage and reducing inflammation. Its polyphenols help to soothe acne-prone skin, control sebum production and provide anti-ageing benefits.

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