Flower Power: Popular Floral Extracts in Skincare Products

If you've never noticed flower names in the ingredients list of your favorite skincare products, you might be surprised to know that floral extracts are frequent inclusions in skincare formulas. From everyday garden types like roses, sunflowers, and honeysuckles, to exotic ones like ylang ylang and mallow, flowers have a lot to offer to keep skin looking its best.

Here we'll break down a few flowers that are commonly found in some of the products we carry, including the ones pictured above, and what these floral extracts do for your skin.

Damask Rose (Rosa Damascena)

 Jasmine - 

Jasmine is famous for blooming at night and releasing its lovely scent, and is commonly included in perfumes, candles, and anything else that smells good. But, jasmine is also frequently used in skincare products because of its calming properties that help soothe sensitive or acne-prone skin. Jasmine oil is a natural moisturizer that can hydrate and calm skin without clogging pores.

Some products that contain Jasmine include:

• ClarityRx Live + Be Well | Probiotic + Pink Himalayan Salt Mask
• AnteAGE Eye Cream
• Leahlani Aloha Ambrosia Morning Moisture Elixir
• iS Clinical Body Complex

Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)

Sunflowers are most commonly used in skincare as oil from sunflower seeds. It's a popular ingredient especially in cosmetic products because it's stable and makes a good base for makeup, plus it's great for hydrating and soothing inflamed skin when used in skincare products.

Sunflowers are also high in vitamin E, improving skin's ability to heal itself and diminish wrinkles, they contain antioxidants and Omega 6, and can even encourage skin cell turnover.

Here are some products using sunflowers to make skin better:

• Revision Skincare DEJ Daily Boosting Serum
• Restorsea PRO Lip Magic
• Leahlani Happy Hour Balancing Serum
• ClarityRx Balm It Off | Nutrient Rich Pre-Cleanse

Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) -

Of all the flowers used in skincare products, Honeysuckle is one of the most common, because it can do a lot. Aside from having natural anti-bacterial or anti-septic properties that make it a decent natural cleanser, it's also anti-inflammatory, making it a great addition to formulas intended to soothe irritated skin. Honeysuckle extract also is surprisingly good at evening skin tone and brightening hyperpigmentation.

A few products with honeysuckle:

• Restorsea PRO Intensive Treatment 10X - Face Serum
• AnteAGE Regenzyme
• Osmosis Mineral Pressed Base Foundation
• Osmosis MD Replenish Antioxidant Infusion Serum
• jane iredale Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer

Matricaria Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita)

Matricaria Chamomile is another flower that is found in a lot of different skincare formulas. Like many of the previous flowers, it is largely used as an anti-inflammatory agent, to soothe irritated skin, add hydration, and protect from further damage with antioxidants.

Like honeysuckle, it can be used to even and brighten skin tone, but it is also used to help wounds heal, and can reduce acne, making it a great additive for sensitive skin formulations.

You can find Matricaria Chamomile in the following products:

• iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
• Osmosis MD Clarify Blemish Retinol Serum
• SUZAN OBAGI Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex
• Baby Foot Exfoliant Foot Peel
• Leahlani Siren Brightening Serum

Mallow Flower (Malva Sylvestris)

Though it might sound like a flower that could be white and fluffy, the mallow is a bright purple tropical flower that has been used for centuries in food, medicine, and now skincare. Primarily known for its ability to soften skin, mallow extract is another anti-inflammatory that can calm and moisturize irritated skin. It is also rich in vitamind C and E, making it helpful for healing and preventing further damage.

Here are some products containing Mallow Flower:

• Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
• Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 - Obagi Retinol
• Jan Marini Transformation Serum