6 skin-boosting plant extracts HORSE CHESTNUT
From collagen-boosting chicory to mattifying bamboo powder, discover the ingredients making their way into the most innovative make-up formulas, and how they can benefit your skin
Ayear and a half of lockdowns and increased stress hasn’t been kind to our skin, so it’s no wonder that many of us are now looking for ways to revitalise our complexions. One increasingly popular way to do so is with foundations and concealers that contain skin-boosting natural plant extracts. Here, two skincare experts explain why plant extracts can be beneficial and how to incorporate them into your daily beauty routine, whatever your age or skin type.
RED JANIA
‘Red jania, a type of seaweed, has unique structural and functional features that help to revive radiance,’ explains Dr Sreedhar Krishna, a consultant dermatologist at skindoc.uk. ‘It’s able to bind minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium which, when used in skincare, can help to nourish and feed the skin with nutrients.’
To reap the rewards of red jania’s glow-boosting properties, try Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation SPF15. With a light coverage for a radiant complexion, it also contains the Clarins anti-pollution complex, which protects against the environmental aggressors that can damage skin and lead to premature ageing.
CHICORY
‘Chicory is a popular plant for calming and soothing the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,’ says Dr Aneesha Ahmad, cosmetic doctor and director of The Skyn Doctor clinic in Huddersfield. ‘It also has the ability to stimulate collagen production, helping to firm skin.’
It’s one of the key ingredients in Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid Foundation SPF15.
Available in 24 shades and offering medium coverage, the formula optimises luminosity while leaving the skin smooth and plumped.
LEAF OF LIFE
‘Leaf of life extract helps the skin retain moisture, giving dry complexions a more radiant look,’ says Dr Krishna. ‘The leaf of life itself has evolved to become a master of holding on to moisture with its thick, water-laden leaves and stems, which helps it survive in the most unforgiving climates.’ It’s this unique power that enables the extract, found in Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation SPF15, to boost skin hydration for a fresh, glowing complexion.
ALOE VERA
The gel found at the heart of the aloe leaf contains softening, moisturising and regenerating compounds that are believed to stimulate circulation and encourage healing. ‘Aloe vera is often used to soothe the skin, calm redness and help reduce the signs of ageing as it’s rich in vitamins A, C and E,’ says Dr Ahmad. ‘It also has
antibacterial properties, which makes it a great treatment for any irritation or inflammation.’
Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid SPF25 uses aloe vera to comfort the skin while providing medium coverage. The non-comedogenic formula also contains SPF25 and the Clarins anti-pollution complex to defend against external aggressors, plus acerola seed extract to boost cell oxygenation, rebalancing the skin.
It may be best known for conkers, but horse chestnut can actually help to combat dark circles under your eyes. ‘It’s been shown in robust scientific experiments to increase the pressure of blood flow through the vessels,’ says Dr Krishna. ‘Improved blood flow in the sensitive area around the eyes can help to detoxify the skin, boost radiance and reduce the appearance of dark circles.’
Clarins Everlasting Concealer is an easy-to-blend, high-coverage corrector that’s enriched with plant extracts including horse chestnut-derived aescins. It helps to boost circulation, hydrate and illuminate the under-eye area, leaving it smoother and brighter-looking.
BAMBOO POWDER
The light powder collected from the bamboo plant’s stems, known as tabasheer, is another potent ingredient. ‘Bamboo powder effectively absorbs excess sebum, the oily substance produced by the skin. This means that it can help to reduce the shiny appearance that affects some people,’ explains Dr Krishna. ‘It’s also an excellent exfoliant, helping to clear away dead skin.’
Clarins Everlasting Foundation makes use of bamboo powder to mattify the skin for a full-coverage base. It also contains quinoa for intense moisturisation, and organic oat sugars to help lift the skin.
Visit your nearest Clarins counter for a complimentary foundation sample* and get free delivery on all foundations at clarins.co.uk when you enter ‘GHREADER’ at the checkout**