Adaptogens have long been used in the health and wellness sector. Recently, the beauty industry discovered that these plants and shrooms can also offer benefits to your skin, thanks to their bioactive compounds. As such, tons of adaptogenic beauty products are now available on the market. But what exactly are these skincare essentials, and how do they benefit your skin?
What are adaptogens?
Coined by Nikolay Lazarev in 1947, the term adaptogens refers to healthful substances that can help your body “adapt” to stress. This effect is due to their ability to support your adrenal glands, which release hormones such as cortisol (stress hormone).
Not all medicinal herbs or plants are classified as adaptogens. To be considered as one, a plant or herb must possess bioactive compounds that can enhance your body’s resilience to environmental, emotional, and physical stressors – without causing any undesirable effects.
You can take adaptogens in several forms, including tea, capsule, or powder. They are also common ingredients in wellness products, such as energy bars and smoothies. Many skincare items, like creams and serums, also have these plants to improve your skin’s health.
How Adaptogens Benefit Your Skin?
Most of the benefits of adaptogenic beauty products are currently anecdotal because more studies are necessary. Even so, here are the perks you can gain from including adaptogen to you beauty regimen.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Chemicals and other environmental stressors can cause inflammation, which can lead to problems like redness, irritation, rosacea, eczema, and acne. Adaptogens can help ease these skin conditions because some possess anti-inflammatory effects.
Take licorice as an example. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help treat rashes and irritations. Ashwagandha is another excellent product. That’s because it has soothing effects, which can relieve conditions like eczema and rosacea.
Anti-Aging Properties
One of the sought after benefits of adaptogenic beauty products is their anti-aging properties. After all, many women invest in premium skincare essentials to maintain a youthful complexion. With adaptogens, you can get this perk. The reason is due to their antioxidants that hunt free radicals, harmful molecules that cause premature aging. These healthful products can also protect your skin against environmental stressors, like UV rays and pollution, that accelerate your aging process.
Cordyceps, a famous functional mushroom, is an adaptogen with high antioxidant content. Rhodiola rosea is another highly recommended product if you want to have younger-looking skin.
Strengthen Your Skin Barrier
Your skin has an outermost layer called the skin barrier. It’s like an armor that protects everything under it. Despite its splendid defensive skills, this layer is not invincible. Chemicals, pollutants, and other environmental stressors can still damage it.
The good news is that you can repair and strengthen your skin barrier. Adaptogenic beauty products can help improve the way it response to stress. They can also boost your skin’s natural defense, making it more resilient to environmental stressors.
Stress Reduction
Stress and exhaustion can affect your appearance, making your skin look old and dull. You may even experience redness and breakouts when you’re under too much pressure. That’s why it’s vital to find ways to reduce stress every now and then.
The great thing about adaptogens is that they can aid in stress reduction. Plus, they strengthen your body’s ability to handle stress. For your skin, these effects mean you can keep flare-ups at bay and look fresh and radiant even under pressure.
Who will Benefit from Adaptogenic Beauty Products?
Beauty products with adaptogens can benefit a lot of women, especially if you have specific skin concern. These problems include the following.
Stressed Skin
If your skin is constantly exposed to environmental stressors, like pollution and harsh climate, adaptogenic beauty products can work wonders. Remember, one of the benefits of adaptogens is to strengthen your skin barrier, so it can efficiently protect your skin against these stressors. That way, you’ll always have a youthful and radiant complexion. Also, you can prevent stress-induced breakouts by using these skincare essentials.
Sensitive Skin
Some adaptogenic ingredients, like Holy Basil and Ashwagandha, have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. These effects can benefit those with sensitive skin, especially when irritation and redness occur. These healing properties can also help people with eczema and rosacea.
Mature or Aging Skin
Many adaptogens, like Ginseng and Rhodiola rosea, are rich in antioxidants. As such, they can counter the destructive effects of free radicals, such as premature aging. They can also help boost collagen production. Remember, collagen can take a few years off your appearance because of its anti-aging effects. So, you’ll look fresh and young by adding adaptogenic beauty products to your skincare routine.
Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Some adaptogens can also benefit women with acne-prone skin. That’s because some adaptogenic ingredients, like Licorice Root and Holy Basil, can help balance your oil production. From there, you can prevent acne breakouts.
All in all, anyone with a fast-paced lifestyle or who lives in a polluted environment can benefit from adaptogenic skincare products. You can also unleash your natural beauty from the inside out by taking supplements with adaptogens.
Conclusion
Adaptogens are the hottest wellness and beauty products today for a good reason. They have exceptional benefits, especially in fighting stress and premature aging. The best part is that you can look and feel beautiful and fabulous even under pressure when you include adaptogenic beauty products into your daily skincare routine.
