While we hear all about those buzzworthy hydrating ingredients that help combat the effects of impending cold, dry air, you may be forgetting about the soothing ingredients. These are equally as important to properly protect against the visible redness that cold weather can bring. Our favorite option for this? Plant-based adaptogens.
These comforting ingredients are herbs, roots and mushrooms that are believed to help fight the visible signs of fatigue and stress in the skin, which echoes how they survive in the extreme climates of their natural habitats.
“They’re called ‘adaptogens’ because of this ability to ‘adapt’ to visible signs of stress and help to ease the effects on the skin,” Perricone MD Director of Education, Rosalba Martone, shares. To classify as an adaptogen, the ingredient must support the skin and help balance the skin to combat signs of aging.
These qualifications make them extremely soothing, therefore, ideal for sensitive skin. It’s precisely the reason why they’ve been used throughout China and India for hundreds of years and now, why they’re being included in beauty formulas today. So much so that we have included them in every formula of our hypoallergenic collection — so each one strikes the perfect balance of gentle yet effective.
The Benefits of Our Plant-Based Adaptogens
Our revolutionary Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection takes a first-of-its-kind Three-Tier approach to deliver hypoallergenic skincare products that don’t compromise on efficacy. Tier 1 in these science-backed skincare formulations is ideal for visibly stressed skin, which we achieve with the presence of powerfully comforting ingredients, including three of our favorite plant-based adaptogens:
- Holy basil: Found in our Gentle Cleanser and Smoothing Restorative Serum, the holy basil adaptogen, also known as tulsi or “the elixir of life” in Hindu culture, is a plant-derived extract originating from a fragrant, flowering plant family native to India. Cultivated for its gentle herbal properties, it soothes and helps maintain skin balance by protecting against environmental damage.
- Mushroom extract: Derived from the chaga mushroom, this adaptogen is used in our Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer and Firming & Brightening Eye Cream in part because of its antioxidant properties that have been known of for centuries. The mushroom in our products, specifically, is sustainably sourced from birch trees in the cold climates of Northern Canada. This polyphenol-rich ingredient helps to thoroughly condition skin while reducing the look of redness, supporting its moisture barrier and, according to clinical testing, delivering effective brightening benefits.
- Aloe vera: Rich in vitamins and minerals, aloe has been used for thousands of years for its soothing, moisturizing and cooling properties. Additionally, this plant-derived ingredient reduces the look of redness and stressed skin by protecting against environmental aggressors, making it a key ingredient in our Ultra-Smooth Shave Cream.
Sensitive skin or not, though, as you reboot your regimen for the Spring months, you’ll surely want to consider incorporating skin-soothing ingredients like plant-based adaptogens into your routine. After all, can’t we all use the extra comfort? Try our Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection to get started.