This is the beauty industry’s best-kept secret
But we all want radiant, supple, hydrated and youthful skin, right? How can we achieve it? While most of us go beyond the basics when it comes to skin care, certain ingredients can do wonders. One of such components is Edelweiss.
For those who’ve seen ‘The Sound of Music’, the name Edelweiss, derived from German (Edel, meaning noble, and Weiss, meaning white), will ring a bell. But there’s so much more to this tiny, seemingly fragile flower.
Flower power
A small, beautiful, star-shaped white flower, Edelweiss grows in Alpine habitats 1500-3000 meters above sea level. For a tree of this size, Edelweiss is extremely resilient and takes root strongly in limestone-rich areas despite extreme environmental and climatic conditions such as strong winds, frosts and volatile temperatures. a little bit. It is by no means a new discovery of mankind. Edelweiss has been around for centuries and is widely used in traditional medicine to cure abdominal and respiratory ailments. In some folk customs, giving this flower to a loved one symbolizes dedication. Packed with goodness, Edelweiss is also strong when it comes to skin care.
Your skin’s best friend
The Edelweiss flower is the perfect example of the adage, “You don’t have to be big to be strong.” With its ability to protect itself from the sun’s harmful UV rays, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it’s no wonder this is the beauty industry’s best-kept secret. The flower makes its own antioxidant and DNA protector called leontopodic acid that allows it to defend itself from harsh environmental conditions and thrive in rugged mountain slopes. With a greater antioxidant than alpha-tocopherol, a form of Vitamin E found in green vegetables, leaves, and nuts, Edelweiss protects the skin’s barrier from pollutants, helping to delay aging and prevent wrinkles. .
Furthermore, with the kind of pollution we face every day, our skin can be prone to bacterial infections, irritations and allergies. Edelweiss extract can protect your skin from such infections, thanks to its strong antibacterial property can ward off dermatitis, infection and allergies. And since flowers can protect themselves from the harsh rays of the sun, as mentioned earlier, this also applies to our skin.
In addition to protecting the skin from environmental aggressors, this wonder flower replenishes the skin with essentials such as collagen and moisture, leaving it soft and hydrated. Edelweiss also restores blood flow, which is important for skin health. The remarkable botanical properties penetrate the skin to moisturize even the deepest layers, giving your skin a unique glow.
Brief instructions on how to use
Given its growing conditions, Edelweiss is a plant that is not easy to harvest. Brands that harvest the flower and use its precious extracts to enhance their products need to do so responsibly and carefully. It’s best to choose brands that offer ethical and sustainable plant-based sources to protect your skin and the planet. Creams, serums and oils with Edelweiss extracts can be part of your daily skin care routine and regular use will see results in soft, hydrated skin. youthful and radiant.
With input from Plabita Sharma, The Body Shop India.