Ever wondered what exactly is a botanical? Well, it is a substance that is extracted or derived from a plant and can be used in a variety of beauty products, including skincare. Botanicals are everywhere, but they are often overlooked because many may not think of them as such. To list off a few familiar names:

When people hear botanicals, they often think of them as all natural with no chemicals but that is actually a huge misconception! The elements of the plant are made up of natural chemicals (not synthetic) just like us humans! Everything is made up of chemicals so nothing can ever really be chemical free. For example, take a refreshing glass of water whose chemical compound is H2O. It is made up of 2 parts hydrogen and one part oxygen creating water. Here, at Lea Advanced Skincare, we use many botanical based products to help heal your skin in the most natural way possible!

When properly used, botanicals can restore, strengthen and ward off that which could be bad for the skin. Therefore, when creating botanicals for skin care products, it is very important to know the proper way of extracting. For them to be effective there also needs to be the precise and correct concentration applied. Some products claiming to have botanicals have such a low concentration that the botanical included may not even be useful. Please be aware of this when purchasing items from a store!

On a day to day basis, many people consume botanicals and may not find the need to apply them topically. There is a difference between topically applying and ingesting them! Dr. Giana Angelo, from Linus Pauling Institute, explained that when ingesting botanicals, the body goes through what is called a first-pass metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract and liver which extensively modifies the botanical that was ingested. The modified compound and the parent compound likely differ from each other therefore, the effects may be different. So basically, when ingested, the body metabolizes it into something with a different chemical makeup which will create a different or diluted effect of the botanical.

Biologist, Lorraine Dallmeier, from Formula Botanica, was able to break down a few common botanicals and their uses:

· Rosehip: regenerates skin, reduces scarring and wrinkles, prevents advancements of aging, and helps the skin regain its natural tone and color.

· Chamomile: an antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and an antiseptic. This one is really great for sensitive skin!

· Lavender: anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, balancing, energizing, soothing, healing, toning, stimulating, and an antiseptic. This botanical is thought to help stimulate cellular growth and regeneration.

· Strawberry Seeds: Strawberries also contain an antioxidant called ellagic acid which provides many benefits such as reducing wrinkles, promoting collagen production and providing protection from UV rays.

These are just 4 of the multitudes of botanicals out there! We, at Lea Advanced Skincare, take great pride in using botanicals in conjunction with our many natural confections in our facial treatments. Let Lea find the right botanical for your skin type.

References:
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/flavonoids
http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/rosehips-in-herbal-beauty/#ixzz5kLaS4u1b
http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/chamomile-uses-in-natural-beauty-skincare/#ixzz5kLagAs27
http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/lavender-uses-in-natural-beauty-skincare/#ixzz5kLpiBHU1
http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/strawberry-seeds-in-herbal-beauty/#ixzz5lMyyaZ2C