1 ADAPTOGENS: your skin’s new bodyguards
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant when taken as supplements or sipped in teas, adaptogenic compounds from herbs and plants have also been found to balance the hormone cortisol and help lower stress. The herb ashwagandha is the current darling, with many holistic doctors prescribing it, while ginseng, rhodiola, reishi mushrooms and CBD are just a few other prized adaptogens.
With stress-related skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and sensitivity at an all-time high, it comes as no surprise that skincare brands are now packing these healing botanicals into creams and lotions. But do they work as well topically?
According to Tea & Tonic’s Sarah Strang, it’s a yes. ‘They calm stressed-out skin,’ she confirms. ‘That’s by quelling inflammation, neutralising damaging free radicals and supporting skin healing. They also boost cell renewal.’
And there’s more reason to recommend them, too, according to Laura Rudoe of Adaptology. ‘There are adaptogens, notably wild indigo (or neurophroline), that physically lower the cortisol level in the skin [to the tune of 70% in two hours, one clinical study shows], which rises when we’re stressed and sets off inflammation,’ she says. Inflammation can lead to conditions such as acne and is key to accelerating skin ageing, so managing it is crucial. ‘Other specific effects of adaptogens include reductions in pigmentation, dullness and wrinkle depth,’ adds Laura. This suggests that a softly-softly, skin-calming approach to skincare can achieve similar results to that of hardcore anti-ageing ingredients, such as retinol and acids.