beauty

4 skin care ingredients I discovered on a farm. Yes, a farm.

Image: Supplied.

Recently I travelled to Jurlique’s farm in the Adelaide Hills to see where they grow and pick their skin care ingredients. Yes, they can literally watch the botanicals used in their products make the journey from a tiny little seed to the skin of their customers.

While peels, potions and essences might be the new frontier of beauty, my trip to the farm reminded me that skin care ingredients sourced from the earth are just as powerful. Here are four our faces could use a little more of.

1. Camomile

If I need a relaxer before bed camomile tea is go-to my partner in crime, but I had no idea it could have the same effect on my skin.

“Camomile is known to have hydrating and calming properties. It rebalances dryness and is particularly good for redness and young skin,” explains Danielle Williams, Jurlique Education Specialist across Australia and New Zealand.

Obviously, that means using a skin product containing camomile while sipping on camomile tea will send you to sleep twice as fast… Can someone do a study into this, please? I’d like to know.

Image: Supplied.
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2. Rose

On my wedding day I had fancy David Austen roses in my bouquet, but to be honest, they’re probably a bit better utilised in one’s skin care routine. (After all, mine were dead in a week).

“The heritage roses grown at Jurlique’s biodynamic farm have been at the heart of our skin care best sellers ever since the brand began,” explains Williams. “Roses have excellent moisturising, softening and skin enhancing qualities.”

If there was one smell in this world I wish I could bottle up and keep in a jar forever, it’d be Ryan Gosling’s breath the smell of the farm’s roses. (Post continues after gallery.)

3. Calendula

It might look all sweet with its pretty orange leaves, but calendula is not to be underestimated. And if you’re someone who suffers from dry, flakey and sensitive skin it’s an ingredient you should definitely consider making a spot for in your skin care stash.

“The key soothing benefits of Calendula extract can be attributed to the high level of flavonoids, which are plant-based antioxidants that protect the skin against irritants,” explains Williams. “The extract is also rich in oleanolic acid, which is shown to have positive soothing and calming effects on the skin.”

Calendula. Image: supplied.
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4. Lavender

Anyone with a nana should be familiar with the delicious, soothing scent of lavender - but it’s the difference it can make to oily skin that has my greasy face shining in anticipation.

“Lavender provides hydration and helps to normalise all skin types from dry to oily/acne and sensitive skins,” explains Williams.

“It’s a herb that’s credited with being anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and balancing. In addition, its calming nature leaves skin feeling refreshed and clear.”

It’s also been known to have a calming effect on the mind - so it’s basically a two-for-the-price-of-one skin care ingredient.

What are the skin care ingredients you love?