Here’s Why Fruit and Plant Extracts Are Popping Up in Your Skincare

With the world of skincare forever evolving, there seems to be a new trendy skincare ingredient every week; one that promises to erase your pigmentation, smooth all your fine lines, and give you the glow of a Krispy Kreme doughnut. It’s hard to keep up to date. But more often than not, it’s less complicated than you’d think and these so-called powerhouse ingredients tend to stem from fruits and plants. 

In fact, The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported that these days, botanical extracts are the leading class of additives found in cosmeceutical products. Basically, the skincare community asked for natural, clean ingredients to be included and the beauty industry stood up and took note. 

For example, Garnier Green Labs‘ approach to skincare is to combine the best of natural ingredients and science and have done so with their 3-in-1 serum creams, which focus on efficacy and dermatologically-backed formulations. The product range caters to a myriad of skin concerns, delivering affordable skincare that is sustainable and suitable for even the most sensitive skin. As an additional bonus, the one-and-done nature of the serum creams is that a three-step skincare routine is reduced to just one, saving all of us beauty lovers precious time in the morning.

In a world where flashy ingredients hold supreme, are plant extracts just as effective and worthy of being included in backed by science skincare? According to Dr. Burcu Kim, Specialist Dermatologist from Quayside Specialists, they are, especially when formulated correctly. “Many skincare products are synthetic but incorporate naturally-derived active ingredients,” Kim says. “Depending on the formulation, naturally-derived ingredients can provide us with many potent active ingredients. It comes down to knowing what you’re putting on your skin and whether it might be right for your skin type.”

The main benefits stated for plant extracts used in skincare include antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. A plant extract is an active component or substance with desirable properties that is detached from the skin of a plant to be used for a specific purpose.

So, what active plant ingredients should you be on the lookout for to suit which concern? 

Pineapple Extract

It’s the new go-to ingredient to perk up dull skin. Pineapple is the common name of Ananas comosus and is the hero ingredient in Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream, a three-in-one product that reduces the steps in your routine without compromising on results. Formulated with vitamin C and pineapple to improve lacklustre and uneven skin, it’s a multi-use serum that aims to deliver brighter and more even skin in a matter of weeks. 

What are the benefits?

Pineapple extracts contain bromelain, a mix of enzymes, and is chosen here as a way to brighten the skin as bromelain helps to gently exfoliate. Kim explains that “pineapple extract can brighten the skin by turning over the unhealthy layers of the skin, unclogging pores and helping to brighten the skin.” Not only can the enzymes found in pineapple slough away dead skin cells, but it can also reduce the appearance of blackheads, which means it’s ideal for anyone struggling with persistent blemishes. 

A bonus? It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Pineapple is rich in vitamins C and E, which are the two ingredients to reach for when your skin is feeling dull. They’re known to brighten and even out skin tone whilst being an antioxidant and preventing skin from pollution damage during the day.

Watermelon Extract

Watermelon isn’t just the perfect summer fruit, but it’s also juicy for the skin. Rich in vitamins B, A, and C, as well as potassium and amino acids, watermelon fruit extract can assist you in your quest for younger, firmer, and glowing skin. It’s the main star of the Garnier Green Labs Hyalu-Melon Replumping Serum Cream.  Due to watermelon’s high-water content (92%), the fruit is extremely hydrating and plays well with other ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid to plump the skin, minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and assist in the treatment of age spots. 

What are the benefits?

According to Kim, “watermelon extract contains lycopene, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, which protects the skin from the effects of the sun, as well as citrulline, which helps maintain the skin’s natural moisturising factor”.

What’s more, is that it is filled with antioxidants and is the perfect ingredient to counter and treat photoaging. This type of ageing has to do with lifestyle choices that affect our skin and mainly stems from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The antioxidants found in watermelon fight off these free radicals, enabling your skin to retain more moisture and recover from collagen loss. Even if you don’t suffer from dry and dehydrated skin, having watermelon extract in your products is a useful addition to anyone’s skincare routine if you’re chasing that dewy complexion.

Kakadu Plum 

Kakadu Plum is an Australian superfruit that is found to have the richest source of vitamin C on earth. It helps promote collagen formation, which works to reduce signs of ageing. It also works to fight free radicals, hydrate the skin, and prevent it from damage. Basically, it’s a superfruit with skincare benefits. 

What are the benefits?

It’s an effective antioxidant that guards the skin against damage, stabilises free radical damage, and reduces sun damage (alongside SPF, of course).  It’s also helpful to those who are blemish-prone or have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema. Kakadu Plum has gallic acid, which has antibacterial properties, and ellagic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties, coming together to create a supercharged combination that is beneficial in working against blemishes and inflammation. At the end of the day, it’s an ingredient that will brighten the dullest of complexions.  

Cannabis Sativa Seed 

If any plant extract is on your radar, it’s probably cannabis sativa seed oil. It has blown up in the skincare world as of late, and for good reason. Cannabis sativa seed oil is derived from the hemp plant and helps improve the skin’s barrier, reduce pore size and redness, and relieve discomfort — all while calming and soothing the skin.  

Is it safe, we hear you ask? It is. Hemp oil comes from the seed itself, while cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from the leaves. It’s important to note that it doesn’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of CBD compounds, yet it is naturally rich in many calming, moisturising, and skin-smoothing properties. Cannabis sativa seed oil is a powerhouse natural ingredient and that’s precisely why it’s a core ingredient in the Garnier Green Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, which aims to target combination skin and enlarged pores. 

What are the benefits?

Hemp seed oil contains a variety of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are primarily anti-inflammatory and are next-level skin moisturisers and hydrating ingredients. When it’s paired with other soothing ingredients, like niacinamide, the pairing creates a dynamo coupling in the name of calming and is useful in treating a variety of skin conditions.  

If you want to check out the range of Garnier Green Labs serum creams in the range, head to the Garnier website. 

Editor’s note: Dr. Burcu Kim is an independent dermatologist and is not contracted to Garnier Green Labs in any capacity.