WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS? HOW DO THEY BENEFIT THE SKIN?
Adaptogens are herbs that support you through the ups and downs, the high highs and low lows of life. Fortifying and nourishing to the nervous system, adaptogens equip you to better metabolize and manage stress. These herbs assist with reducing fatigue and the toxic effects of stress and are called adaptogens because they adapt to what the body needs by regulating it; some people may need ginseng because their energy is down, while others may need it because they’re too fired up to go to sleep.
In traditional Chinese medicine, adaptogens are often prescribed in combination with one another. Each adaptogen has a different effect on the body, so the choice of which one to take will depend on the result you seek. For example, ashwagandha might be the ticket to both energize and relax you, while stimulating adaptogens, like rhodiola, are best taken earlier in the day, before 3 pm, to align with the body’s natural rhythms. Calming adaptogens, like holy basil, can be taken both in the daytime and before bed. You can use adaptogens for a few days or weeks to get through a busy time at work.
Adaptogens are said to work by normalizing the adrenal system. And “since skin rashes can often be traced back to a hyper- or hypo-adrenaline condition,” according to herbalist Michael Forman, a doctor of Oriental medicine, “they can also benefit the skin.”
In addition, adaptogens are thought to slow the appearance of aging.
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Schisandra – this fruit-bearing vine can help promote firmer looking skin.
Schisandra chinensis is a wonderful berry hailing from its home in the lush, mountainous regions of China, and it is an adaptogen and a tonic herb often used to promote longevity and vitality, balance liver conditions, control blood sugar, aid in digestive processes, support the immune system, and help with memory and focus. You find Shizandra berry in our Multivitamin Face Balm and Botanical Qi Face Serum.
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Maca – helps boost collagen production and manage hormones, which could improve acne outbreaks.
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Maqui Berry - a “super-fruit” due to its high antioxidant content and its ability to reduce inflammation, which leads to less redness and irritation. You find Maqui berry in our Multivitamin Face Balm.
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Goji berry - High in antioxidants and micronutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A.Assists in preventing skin aging and inflammation.
You find this super-powerful berry in our Multivitamin Face Balm
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Centella Asiatica - assists in restoring the skin's moisture barrier.
Commonly known as gotu kola, meaning “Fountain of Youth” in Sanskrit, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Mackinlayaceae. It is a mild adaptogen and has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in India.
You find Centella in our Multivitamin Face Balm, Phyto-Retinol and Botanical Qi Face Serum.
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Reishi mushrooms – packed with beta-glucans, these mushrooms combat environmental stressors and tame inflammation.
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Rhodiola Rosea – this super-herb supports collagen and elastin production.
Rhodiola, known as the "golden root" or "arctic root" is found in the mountainous parts of Europe and Asia, and has long been employed in Eurasian traditional medicine as a natural tonic, referred to as an "adaptogen." Rhodiola is used to promote good health, strength, endurance and physical and mental performance. You find Rhodiola in our Botanical Qi Face Serum.
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Triphala – a combination of three fruit-bearing trees, amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki, triphala can help speed the healing times of bruising and sunburns.
And what about benefits to the skin?
Adaptogens assist with our body's natural defenses to reduce inflammation and protect against a variety of other skin stressors by promoting a calm and normalized appearance. As Hasina Khatib writes in Vogue, “Given the sensory nature of beauty products, some form of stress relief has always existed in skincare, but the year is 2021, and we aren’t just talking aromatic bath salts anymore. Therapeutic blends of adaptogens and skincare saviors have found their way into everything for inducing a state of zen for your skin.”
Our latest adaptogenic skincare range is now available in London at selected retailers + spas and internationally via our website shop! Our wellness adaptogenic range of products will launch by the end of February.
Image courtesy of Google
