Natural extracts in cosmetics

The market is seeing increasingly more cosmetics based on natural plant extracts, fruit extracts, as well as the riches of the seas and oceans. Makers of face, body and haircare products appreciate the beneficial effects of natural extracts, which have been known for years. But what are the benefits of plant extracts in skin cosmetics?

Cosmetics containing natural extracts seem to be more at one with the skin than those that are artificially obtained. Vegetable oils, sea algae extracts and floral water improve the condition of the skin and hair, while natural amino acids, vitamins and peptides have strong anti-wrinkle and rejuvenating effects. Substances sourced from plants support the regeneration processes of the epidermis, and can also have antioxidant, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

So what exactly is an extract?

"Extract" comes from the Latin word "extractum". "Extraho" means "I'm extracting", hence "extract". Extracts are produced using a chemical extraction process. This involves isolating the expected component or combination of substances using diffusion. Extracts, i.e. plant extracts, are obtained from whole plants or their parts: flowers, leaves, roots, and stems, as well as their juices. A carefully selected solvent is used for the diffusion process; it's usually a water and alcohol solution, glycerol or ethyl alcohol. The chaotic mixture of molecules resulting from the solvent, i.e. the obtained solution of chemical compounds, can then be distilled, crystallised or subjected to other chemical treatment processes to obtain the final product: the extract. There are two types of plant extracts the cosmetics industry: concentrated extracts, which contain more of the ingredients than the natural form, and extracts with natural concentrations.

Natural extracts for healthy and beautiful skin

Products with natural extracts can be used at all stages of daily skincare, starting with cleansing. Cleansing is an important skincare process – it ensures your skin has adequate oxygen for renewal processes to occur. Regularly cleansed skin is fresh, healthy and radiant. If you don't thoroughly remove impurities and secreted sebum on a daily basis, you'll see blackheads and pimples, and your skin may age faster. Washing your skin with soap and water isn't a good idea. While soap does thoroughly remove grease and impurities, it also disturbs the skin's hydrolipid balance, destroying the protective layer, leaving the skin prone to drying out and unpleasant tightening. Skin should be cleansed with soap-free products that'll do a thorough job without irritating it. It's also a good idea to weekly use a scrub that'll remove dead skin cells, cleanse the pores and help regulate the secretion of sebum, so that the skin remains visibly fresh for longer and doesn't get greasy. Developed by experts at the Lirene Scientific Laboratory, the coarse scrub with mint, lotus, water lily extracts and bamboo specks will leave your skin intensely and deeply clean, smooth and pleasantly cool.

In addition to daily cleansing, you should also wash your face with a cotton pad soaked in micellar water. Micelles are microscopic particles with unique pollutant-attracting properties. The micellar water helps remove even waterproof makeup without rubbing the skin, which is great for skin that's sensitive and prone to irritation. Soothing micellar water with mint for the face and eyes developed by a team of experts at the Lirene Scientific Laboratory thoroughly removes makeup and impurities from the skin, and thanks to the mint extract rich in plant flavonoids, it soothes irritation, refreshes, and soothes the skin. The mint extract stimulates the production of beta-endorphins, i.e. happiness hormones, which means it relaxes and rejuvenates the face, regulates the microcirculation of the skin, and increases its resistance to the damaging effects of external factors. The water moisturises the skin, and restores its glow and softness for a long time.

Plant extracts in cosmetics improve the condition of the skin, so they should be part of your daily skincare ritual to provide your skin with natural goodness.