When it comes to skincare, beauty brands know that botanicals can unlock solutions to age-old skin problems without the need for harsh chemicals or invasive treatments. ELLE edits the six hottest brands with flower power...
What is it? On a 1200 acre farm in Vermont, Tata Harper manufactures 100% natural skincare. The products for face and body are packed a cocktail of active ingredients. Tata has complete control over what goes into her products and clinical trials to back-up her ranges’ effectiveness.
Is it for you? This brand is for women who want to use skincare that is natural and eco-friendly, but don’t want to compromise on efficiency.
What’s new? The brand is new at Space NK and it’s hard to pick a hero product as they are all a joy to use, but they are quite pricey – the Rejuvenating Serum is £120. A future classic has to be the Replenishing Nutrient Complex, £36. It is a good addition to any skincare regime and can be used on-the-go thanks to its roller ball application or at night for a potent skin boost.
Key botanical extracts: The Complex contains a hefty 18 active ingredients, 96.3% of which are certif<
What is it? Founder Marian Bourne uses vibrational energy medicine to ‘power’ the ingredients. It may sound a bit new-age, but the products also pack a punch with organic plant oils, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
Is it for you? This vegan brand is aimed at those who want younger skin, but also anyone looking for a rejuvenated, brighter complexion.
What’s new? The whole range is new, but the Eye Essential, £39.99, is award winning, won the Anti-Ageing Eye Cream category in the Anti-Ageing Bible by Josephine Fairley and Sarah Stacey.
Key botanical extracts: Rosehip Oil, in the Eye Essential, is around 30% Alpha Lipoic Acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) that plumps and moisturises, while Eyebright, extracted from herbaceous flowering plants, reduces puffiness. You should notice a good reduction in lines and dark circles in less than four weeks.
What is it? Vichy is one of the biggest selling pharmacy brands in Europe. The products are focused on different skin types whether you suffer with a hormonal complexion, dry skin or you want to prevent the ageing process. With a lot of resource spent on researching ingredients and proving the effectiveness of products in clinical studies, the brand is extremely results driven.
Is it for you? Vichy is about helping you identify your skin type and the products you need to get it looking its best (and keep it that way). On counter the Vichy team can identify your skin type and tailor-make a regime for you.
What’s new? While botanicals are not the brand’s focus, its latest night cream Derm Source Liftactiv Night Cream, £28, is touted as a miracle anti-ageing product with the key ingredient being the plant sugar Rhamnose.
Key botanical extract: Rhamnose is sourced from the Uncaria, a Brazilian plant a<
What is it? This French natural skincare brand is the result of a team scouring the globe in search of rare plants and potions of botanical and apothecary origin. It is made up of two lines Absolis (the everyday products - cleansers and moisturisers) and Biokaliftin (to slow down the signs of ageing). N.B. Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan, she mentioned it on Goop describing the Biokaliftin range as ‘pretty intense’.
Is it for you? The range is for anyone who wants plump, even and more radiant skin.
What’s new? The Biokaliftin range is new and the Repair Cream, £82, is a good entry product.
Key botanical extracts: The Repair Cream boasts Rose Floral Water that soothes, moisturises and refines skin tone. Also worthy of note, although it isn’t a botanical, is the inclusion of Oat Polysaccharides that instantly plumps and tightens the skin by creating a lightweight ‘lifting’ film on the skin.
What is it? Decleor is an established skincare brand with aromatherapy and phytotherapy (plant based) products. The Decleor team has an encyclopaedic knowledge of what different plants and their components can do for our skin.
Is it for you? A mix of plant essential oils with scientific processes, the products boast potent cocktails of all-natural ingredients.
What’s new: The Aroma White C Extreme Brightening Essence, £52.50 for a 30-day supply that will leave your skin noticeably brighter and more even in tone. It’s available nationwide from September, but you can buy it exclusively online now.
Key botanical extracts: Peony, and Tamarisk (another flowering plant) combined with Vitamin C reduce the appearance of pigmentation, while an extract from the Saxifrage plant prevents new dark spots.
What is it? David A. Colbert, MD is a dermatologist with a practice, New York Dermatology Group, on Manhattan’s prestigious Fifth Avenue. His self-titled range of products contain potent plant actives; Colbert is quoted to have said, ‘Plants are the new glamour food’ which is in keeping with his brand ethos - products that are 'daily nutrition for skin'. Using the QuSome delivery system (ingredients are delivered via bubble-like molecules) the actives are released at different points in the epidermis and deep down into the dermal layer to encourage healthy cell turnover.
Is it for you? These products repair damage, encourage cell renewal and protect. Colbert’s daily use products are the Stimulate Serum, £115, Nutrify and Protect day and the Heal and Soothe night cream.
What’s new? The whole range is new and exclusive in the UK to Liberty, celebrity fans include Sienna Miller, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Naomi Wa<
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