Benefits of Using Native Plants in Lotions and Skincare

The Benefits of Using Native Plants in Lotions and Skincare Products

There has been a growing trend in recent years of using native plants in skincare and cosmetic products. Native plants, also referred to as indigenous plants, are plants that originate and grow naturally in a certain geographic region without human introduction. Using native ingredients in lotions and skincare can provide many benefits over ingredients that are non-native or exotic.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

When native plants are used as ingredients in skincare products, it helps support and protect local native plant species and ecosystems. Native species play an important role in maintaining balance, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Using native plants and wild-harvesting them responsibly promotes species conservation and habitat preservation.

In contrast, non-native species can become invasive when introduced outside of their native regions and often outcompete native species. This leads to loss of biodiversity and irrevocable changes to ecosystems. So by using native ingredients in lotions and skincare, manufacturers and consumers can help reduce demand and habitat loss from invasive or introduced species.

Traditional Knowledge and Ethnobotany

Native plants have a long history of traditional and ethnobotanical use by Indigenous cultures around the world. Many native plants were used ceremonially and medicinally by native peoples on the land where they grown naturally. This traditional ecological knowledge about native plants has been passed down over generations.

When modern manufacturers ethically source native ingredients in skincare products, it helps support this cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. It also spreads awareness about the unique uses and benefits of native botanicals that have been used holistically by native cultures for centuries.

Localized Adaptogenic Properties

Native plants develop specialized metabolites and phytochemicals to help them thrive in the habitats and climates where they naturally grow. This means native plant ingredients often have adaptive, resilient, and protective properties that can also benefit human skin and bodies.

For example, plants native to dry, desert climates may contain compounds that help skin better retain moisture. Alpine plants native to cold mountain regions could have properties that protect skin against harsh winter weather. Coastal native plants may contain antioxidants to counter skin damage from ocean spray and winds.

When included in lotions, these specialized native ingredients impart their adaptive, habitat-specific benefits - making them uniquely bioavailable and beneficial for local skin and environmental conditions.

Examples of Beneficial Native Plants for Skincare

There are thousands of uniquely beneficial native plants from ecosystems around the world that are now being ethically wild-harvested or cultivated for natural skincare and cosmetic products. Here are just a few examples:

Prickly Pear Cactus

In the arid, desert regions of the Americas, prickly pear cactus has been used traditionally by native peoples to treat burns, wounds, and skin irritation. The swollen, rounded pads of the iconic cacti are rich in hydrating mucilage as well as antioxidants. These compounds help attract and retain moisture while protecting against environmental damage.

Sea Buckthorn

This brightly colored sea berry shrub is native to sandy coastlines and mountain habitats across northern Asia and Europe. All parts of the plant have long been used in traditional folk medicine thanks to its high content of over 190 bioactive substances. These include essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that promote skin regeneration.

Mamaki

Mamaki is a tropical nettle shrub that grows abundantly in Hawaii's rainforests. Native Hawaiians traditionally used mamaki medicinally to treat cuts, swelling, and skin ailments. Extracts of mamaki exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cell-protective activities - making it an ideal soothing addition to skin lotions.

Wild Indigo

Wild indigo refers to a number of herbaceous perennial plants in the Baptisia genus that are common across prairie and grassland habitats of North America. Traditional and contemporary herbalists utilize wild indigo for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat skin abrasions and irritation.

Kakadu Plum

This small, bushy tree bears the world's richest natural source of vitamin C and grows sparsely across the hot, tropical floodplains of Northern Australia. Kakadu plum has the highest antioxidant capacity of any fruit, which Indigenous Australians traditionally used to make healing ointments. Its antioxidant richness helps nourish, repair, and protect skin.

How to Include Native Botanicals in Skincare

For manufacturers interested in tapping into native botanical ingredients for lotions and skincare, wild-harvesting and cultivation offer two sustainable pathways:

1. Ethical Wild-Harvesting from Native Habitats

Some plant species are abundant enough in certain native habitats to allow for limited wild-harvesting without damaging ecosystems. Working cooperatively with Indigenous groups to harvest native plants and seaweeds sustainably from their native environments is an ethical way to obtain these localized ingredients.

However, over-harvesting has caused shortages of many native species over recent decades. Following careful harvesting plans and allowing populations to rejuvenate ensures these specialized botanicals remain available for skincare use long-term.

2. Controlled Cultivation and Stewardship

Another ecological route is intentionally cultivating native plants for commercial use. While small-scale wild harvesting may work for some resilient species, cultivating native botanicals prevents depletion from natural environments.

This allows growers to replicate specialized native soil microbiomes and growing conditions - helping the ingredients retain their habitat-specific chemical profiles. Partnering with native communities and ecologists helps transfer generational knowledge about stewarding native species.

Whichever growth pathway is followed, using native plants in skin care helps consumers around the world experience the rich biodiversity and ethnobotanical wisdom of ecosystems worldwide in a sustainable, ethical way. With increasing consumer demand for ethical, eco-conscious products, native botanical skincare and lotions offer an alluring way for brands to showcase local biodiversity and traditional plant wisdom.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.