Botanical skinnovation: Green skin care advancements feature adaptogenic skin rituals, gentler acne treatment and sulfur soap

09 Aug 2023 --- Skin care brands are constantly innovating with plant-based formulations to stand out in a diversifying market that demands more out of naturality. Featuring prominently on front-of-pack in launches this month are adaptogenic blends for skin calming, gentler acne-clearing solutions and naturally derived liquidized sulfur for bacteria control.

Personal Care Insights covers these recent product rollouts, which are in line with the trend of bridging clean label appeal and functionality for a better skin appearance.

According to Innova Market Insights, the personal care industry is experiencing a surge of interest in botanical extracts, with a remarkable annual growth rate of 5% (Global, CAGR 2018-2022). 

Hypoallergenic and adaptogenic skin correction
Perricone MD has launched a Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection. The clean regimen was formulated with a three-tier approach to soothe, protect and correct sensitive skin. The collection includes botanical extracts developed with “science-backed strength.

“Tier one” of Perricone MD’s Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection tackles stress reduction by soothing irritated skin with plant-derived adaptogens like holy basil and mushroom extract. 

Perricone MD releases a three-step hypoallergenic skin care routine.Adaptogenic skin care – which targets a reduction of skin inflammation through botanical ingredients backed by centuries of practice, like Ayurveda – was recently cited in a Wunderman Thompson report among the top innovation headliners set to revolutionize the beauty sector in the coming years.

Perricone’s “tier two” level of activity offered by its correcting product aims to help skin barrier protection by reinforcing and shielding the skin against environmental aggressors, using protective ceramides and niacinamide, which are two ingredient buzzwords on the market currently. 

The product’s “tier three” highlights age defiance by visibly smoothing, firming and evening skin tone over time with clinically proven, advanced peptides. Contributing to these effects is the plant-derived retinol, bakuchiol, which has been featured in vegan formulations as a “natural, gentler alternative” to regular retinol.

“We wanted to ensure that sensitive skin users never have to choose between addressing their sensitive skin or aging concerns,” says Jennifer Trovel, chief marketing officer at Perricone MD. 

“We knew there was an opportunity to deliver efficacy and gentleness and have proven such through extensive clinical, consumer and safety testing. Formulated with the power of Perricone MD and reinforced by a clean positioning, sensitive skin consumers will never have to compromise on their skin care routine again.”

Clean correction step-by-step
Within Perricone MD’s Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection, the Gentle Cleanser is a low-foaming wash that removes dirt and oil without drying the skin. It features holy basil, glycerin and fermented rice water to soothe and nourish for refreshed, hydrated-looking skin. In consumer testing of 101 women, 97% said their skin felt cleansed and refreshed after seven days. 

The Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer was designed to be ultra-restorative and hydrating to protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier and reduce redness while improving the look of skin elasticity and firmness. It was formulated with mushroom extract, ceramides and peptides to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles for a smoother complexion. In clinical testing after eight weeks, 90% saw improvement in skin hydration for 72 hours.The Proactiv Clean 3-Step Routine targets acne while aiming to keep the skin moisturized (Image Credit: Proactiv Branded Lifestyle image).

The Firming & Brightening Eye Cream soothes, hydrates and comforts the sensitive skin around the delicate eye area. The eye cream is formulated with mushroom extract, squalane and peptides to firm and brighten, reducing crow’s feet, lines and wrinkles. In clinical testing of 32 women, 93% saw improvement in skin texture, radiance, brightness and reduced redness after eight weeks.

The Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Collection has been awarded the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition, marking the products as safe for sensitive skin. In addition, the entire collection is vegan, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested.

Being proactive but gentle with acne
Alchemee, formerly The Proactiv Company, launched the Proactiv Clean 3-Step Routine. The routine is formulated for individuals with sensitive and acne-prone skin to offer a gentler solution to clear blemishes, smooth the skin and promote a calming effect – while staying free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates and cyclic silicones. 

The new routine’s formulas contain gentler acne-clearing ingredients hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol and chamomile are added to help smooth texture, even skin tone and calm irritated skin.

“After closely monitoring consumer feedback offline and online, we created a dermatologist-developed routine that is gentle enough for sensitive skin and effective enough for treating acne. This is a continuation of our effort to empower individuals wherever they may be on their clear skin journey,” says Samantha Boulukos, head of business at Alchemee.

Step one is the Mineral Acne Cleanser. The daily-use mineral cleanser washes away excess dirt, oil and dead skin and is formulated with mineral-derived sulfur for breakouts and chamomile to help soothe sensitive, acneic skin.

Step two is the Azelaic Pore Perfector. The serum-like azelaic acid lotion helps improve the look of uneven skin tone and soothe irritation. The cream contains squalane, bisabolol and allantoin to help soften, smooth and hydrate the skin and hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help nourish and soothe the skin.

The skin care industry explores different ingredient effects on the skin to create formulations in a saturated market.Step three is the Acne Clearing Hydrator. The daily-use moisturizer helps clear blemishes while replenishing the skin’s moisture barrier. The hydrator is formulated with salicylic acid to encourage the shedding dead skin cells.

Innova Market Insights reports that personal care products marketed with benefits specifically targeting the skin barrier are being sought out more, and the market is responding with launches that promise to hydrate, soothe, repair and protect the skin.

Liquidized sulfur soap
Meanwhile, Gangseo Chemical Industrial used its technology made by liquidizing sulfur to launch a naturally derived Dr. Yoon sulfur soap made by a patented manufacturing “secret method.”

The sulfur soap from Gangseo Chemical Industrial has been tested for human application of skin moisturization, skin hypotension and sebum and pore improvement. Dr. Yoon explains that the soap’s contact with the skin removes bacteria and regenerates the skin.

The company emphasizes that the product is eco-friendly, with 99.9% natural ingredients. The soap is naturally matured and dried for 168 hours.

Gangseo Chemical Industry says it has five domestic patents and licenses for non-medical products approved by the Korean Intellectual Property Office and has received sanitary approval from China’s Ministry of Health and Welfare. 

Gangseo Chemical Industrial was furthermore selected as one of 30 companies to participate in this year’s “Social Economy Enterprise Growth Intensive Support Project,” organized by the Ministry of SMEs and start-ups. 

By Sabine Waldeck