The Healing Power Behind Whole Plant Skincare

The Healing Power Behind Whole Plant Skincare 

Whole Plant Skincare is defined as utilizing whole dried herbs to make personal care products infused with high-quality medicinal plants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in all parts of the plant. This is in contrast to processed skincare using efficient extraction at the expense of quality. 

From hydrosols, cleansing grains, infused oils, salves, balms and so much more… whole plant skincare has a lot to offer alongside the modern skincare that floods our shelves. Whole Plant Skincare is made fundamentally differently using traditional extraction methods passed down by herbalists, natural medicine practitioners, and those who were resourceful before us. These kinds of products don’t extract specific active compounds but instead use the complete phytonutrient profile of the herbs to ensure maximum efficacy and minimize irritation. 

This piece intends to explain the role of Whole Plant Skincare alongside the other tools on the market. This is not an article against modern advancements or synthetic ingredients but an argument to add natural ingredients that will enhance our health and wellness alongside those amazing advancements in the beauty industry. 

So why does this matter? 

The advent of excessive skincare consumption and a “more is better” attitude has grown the industry while clouding our judgment. Using exfoliating acids, isolated vitamins, and other powerful actives forces the skin into a state of change. This often results in challenges such as the “retinoid uglies” where we expect lots of peeling skin or damaged skin barriers. There is a balance to be had when using powerful skincare. What will give fast results oftentimes has more potential side effects. By using the natural profile of actives from a whole plant, we bypass the challenges with these modern ingredients. They will heal and improve cell turnover without these kinds of side effects because they build the skin’s foundation with polysaccharides, naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and unique compounds that work synergistically. Being truly holistic means understanding all your options and making the best decision for yourself. Modern skincare, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals have a crucial role in delivering the best results possible but the beauty industry is lacking nuance. 

The Best of Both Worlds 

Why limit yourself to one method of self-care? The combination of Whole Plant Skincare and potent cosmeceuticals is where amazing change can occur. Consider Whole Plant Skincare your lifelong partner in skin health. As we set goals for our skin, we seek retinoids, chemical 

peels, and laser treatments because they deliver fast, reliable results. Oftentimes these non-invasive procedures are an essential part of the regime. But plant-based skincare will protect your skin along the way, reducing downtime, managing inflammation, and supporting the overall framework of the skin. There is no reason why we cannot experience the fruits of modern-day skincare and traditional plant medicine at the same time. For too long we have

been sold “clean skincare” that makes misleading claims about being safer, more effective, and healthier. 

As a skincare professional, I can confidently state there is nothing dangerous about modern skincare using synthetics, “filler” ingredients, and isolated actives. Whole Plant Skincare should only deliver genuine results and not a fear of science. A skincare routine that has a balance of high-quality natural extracts and potent isolates used with intention is where your skin will find harmony. 

How do Whole Plants work? 

Thousands of years of herbalism, natural medicine, and cultural tradition should be enough to instill a level of confidence when discussing our wellness options. There is no shortage of information when it comes to the properties of herbs, flowers, seeds, and stems. There is nothing to be found but synergy between evidence-based phytonutrients and modern cosmeceuticals. 

If you turn and learn your skincare you will often find ingredients such as naturally occurring amino acids, humectants like hyaluronic acid, lipids, fatty alcohols, and even some plant extracts. Maybe a handful of those ingredients are considered “actives”. However, whole herbs contain a large array of humectants, polysaccharides, plant pigments and so many more antioxidants that it puts highly processed extracts to shame. Herbs can function as an analog to isolated active ingredients because they deliver a complex set of constituents that can consist of common isolated ingredients such as Vitamin C, enzymes, and anti-inflammatories. 

Wellness and Self-Care is about you 

Skincare and beauty are just one important corner of wellness. The decision to use standard plant-based skincare, whole plant products, synthetic ingredients, isolated active ingredients or just living a more natural lifestyle is ultimately a personal decision with no right or wrong answer. Over time you will learn and see what skincare works for you and opening your mind to Whole Plant Skincare gives you another tool to take care of yourself. Understanding a variety of self-care practices and how they benefit the body allows us to make the best decision for ourselves.