Botanical Extracts for Skin Care
Exploring Botanicals Known for a Range of Cosmetic Benefits
Botanical extracts have long been used in skin care, hair care, and personal care formulations because plants naturally contain compounds associated with a wide range of topical benefits.
Depending on the botanical, these naturally occurring components may include polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, sugars, saponins, antioxidants, and other plant-derived compounds.
Different botanicals are known for different cosmetic properties, making it possible for formulators to select extracts based on the type of skin care story or topical benefit they want to support.
Botanicals by Topical Benefit
Antioxidant Botanicals
Green Tea
Pomegranate
Blueberry
Cranberry
Grape
Fig
Acai
Goji Berry
Elderberry
Rosemary
Turmeric
Anti-Inflammatory Botanicals
Aloe Vera
Chamomile
Calendula
Green Tea
Turmeric
Licorice Root
Cucumber
Oat
Centella Asiatica
Ginger
Moisturizing Botanicals
Aloe Vera
Cucumber
Oat
Coconut
Watermelon
Honey
Seaweed
Marshmallow Root
Hibiscus
Rice
Nutritive Botanicals
Avocado
Fig
Coconut
Seaweed
Algae
Spinach
Kale
Carrot
Pomegranate
Rice
Moringa
Cleansing Botanicals
Yucca
Soapwort
Quillaja
Green Tea
Witch Hazel
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Citrus
Cucumber
Nourishing Botanicals
Avocado
Coconut
Oat
Fig
Moringa
Seaweed
Algae
Rice
Pomegranate
Hibiscus
Olive
Soothing Botanicals
Aloe Vera
Chamomile
Calendula
Cucumber
Oat
Green Tea
Lavender
Centella Asiatica
Licorice Root
Marshmallow Root
Softening Botanicals
Aloe Vera
Oat
Coconut
Avocado
Cucumber
Marshmallow Root
Rice
Hibiscus
Seaweed
Olive
Choosing the Right Botanical Extract
Many botanical extracts are associated with more than one topical benefit. A single plant may contain several groups of naturally occurring compounds, allowing it to support multiple formulation stories.
For example, green tea is widely associated with antioxidant properties while also being used in soothing and skin-conditioning applications. Fig is known to contain polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, fatty acids, and vitamins, making it relevant to antioxidant and nutritive skin care concepts.
Rather than looking at botanical extracts as ingredients with only one purpose, formulators can select botanicals based on their broader composition, traditional use, published literature, and the needs of the finished product.
This makes botanical extracts a highly versatile ingredient category for skin care, body care, hair care, personal care, baby care, and other topical applications.