When it comes to trends in skin care, we like to keep our ears close to the ground not only because we’re always looking for that proverbial fountain of youth but also because it’s fascinating what people are willing to apply to their faces! Some past trends, like green tea extract and facial oils, have caught on and become mainstream. Others, perhaps not surprisingly, have had a more difficult time getting a foothold in the skin care industry (see snail slime and nightingale poo).
With the demand for more natural products on the rise, it is any wonder that plant-based ingredients are the ones to watch out for? Here are three that are creating a buzz:
1. Chia Seed Oil:
It’s been a few years since this shiny brown seed made the jump from kitschy terracotta pet to being sprinkled on every salad and smoothie and turned into pudding. Known for its high antioxidant content and as a rich source of fatty Omega-3’s, the oil from chia seeds carry the same incredible benefits right to your skin. As multi-tasking as argan oil, chia seed oil can be used as a serum directly on the face or blended with your basic moisturizer to bump up the hydration factor. Its antioxidants help fight signs of aging and promote radiant and elastic skin.
2. Jasmonic acid:
A promising new anti-aging active, jasmonic acid is a plant hormone whose major role is to protect. When a plant is under attack or stress, it produces jasmonic acid which will help in reparation and healing process. While plants and human skin may be different, a recent study has shown that a derivative of jasmonic acid was able to increase the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
3. Fulvic Acid:
The healing powers of mud have been used for centuries to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema as well as for detoxing. Perhaps not surprising, then, that fulvic acid, a residue of decayed plant matter found in (you guessed it) mud, has been creating a fuss. Already popular in Australia, fulvic acid is reportedly high in minerals with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Its strength, however, lies in its antioxidant powers to target and destroy free radicals, a known cause of premature signs of aging.
While scientific evidence may be slim right now for these new ingredients, I’m keeping my mind open to the possibility that they are as effective as all the hype suggests. Only time will tell.
