Latest Skincare Trends - Australian Native Botanical Ingredients

Without a doubt, Australia is one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse countries in the world. As rich as it is in natural beauty, Australia is also abundant in its natural history with current estimates now reaching to 70,000 years that indigenous Australian Aborigines have inhabited the land, thriving off its prolific natural resources.

Over the past few years, skincare and cosmetic powerhouses around the world have developed an increasing appetite for some of these exquisite native botanical ingredients for use in skincare products ranging from exfoliating facial creams, body scrubs, body lotions to shampoo.

The reason? Well, not only do many of these ingredients smell divine with their fresh, earthy and uplifting raw tones, they are proving to produce results in anti-ageing and skin treatment products and are loved not just by women, but also men's skincare lines.

Here are some examples of what all the buzz is about:

Lemon Myrtle Premium Essential Oil
Lemon Myrtle is indigenous to eastern Queensland. It has traditionally been used to help relieve chest congestion and for its antifungal and antiseptic properties. It is loved for its fresh, uplifting, strong lemon fragrance and is ideal for skincare products ranging from soaps, to lip-balms, shampoos and conditioners, body butters and lotions and body wash and scrubs.

Kakadu Plum Liquid Extract
Found exclusively in the Northern Territory, the Kakadu Plum tree has the highest known Vitamin C concentration of any single food source in the world. Full of antioxidants, Kakadu Plum has been revered for its use in anti-ageing and skin repair and treatment products such as serums, face and eye creams and body lotions and custards.

Lilly Pilly Liquid Extract
The Lilly Pilly tree belongs to the Myrtle family and was traditionally used by Aborigines for its healing and antibacterial properties, due to its high Vitamin C content. Lilly Pilly liquid extract can be added to face and eye creams, body milk, body lotion and body custards.

Quandong Liquid Extract
The desert Quandong Tree is found around waterless areas all across Australia. High in Vitamin C and protein, Quandong fruit was known as 'desert peach' amongst ancient aborigines and eaten and applied topically for its restorative properties.

Australian Macadamia Oil
Macadamia Oil derives from the macadamia nut grown on the Australian Macadamia tree. This rich, regenerative oil is high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and contains Palmitoleic, which promotes soft, younger looking skin. High in Omega 3 and 6, it has been used for healing scars, sunburn and skin irritations.

Cypress Australian Blue Essential Oil
Cypress Australian Blue essential oil is considered to be even more ancient than the Eucalypts and Melaleucas and is found mainly in the Northern Territory. It was traditionally used by Aborigines to aid the healing of wounds and scars and as an anti-inflammatory. It has a subtle 'woody' fragrance and a lovely blue colour.

Rosalina Essential Oil
Rosalina comes from the Melaleuca family and traditionally was used for its antiseptic properties. Containing a fresh, woody fragrance, Rosalina essential oil has been included in body wash, body lotions and body scrubs and custards.

Niaouli Essential Oil
Part of the Melaleuca family, Niaouli essential oil has a sweet and floral camphoraceous aroma and was commonly used by indigenous Australians for its anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. This essential oil is a beautiful addition to body lotions, body custards and soaps.

Tea Tree Lemon Scented Essential Oil
Tea Tree Lemon Scented essential oil is loved by both men and women for its strong, invigorating and zesty fragrance. Perfect for body wash, body lotions, body custards and body scrubs, Tea Tree Lemon Scented essential oil was traditionally used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties on the skin.

Ivory Australian Clay
With such ancient, mineral rich soil, it is no surprise that Ivory Australian Clay is popular in skincare application. Extremely mild and gentle, this clay is silky and soft and ideal for those with delicate or sensitive skin.

Pink Australian Clay
Pink Australian Clay has a lower iron content than the red clay hence the lighter colour. This essential minerals to help replenish and regenerate the epidermis of the skin to create softened and conditioned skin with a healthy glow. The clay can be blended with other clays for different properties and effect or used as a stand-alone additive for face and body masks.

Click here for more information on Australian Native Botanical skincare.

3 March 2010