Have you ever picked up a beauty product and wondered what an ingredient is or why it’s in there? We break down five new ingredients that are popping up all over the place to give you the low down on what it is, what it does, and where you can find it.
Cassia
This ingredient is actually more recognizable than you think “ it’s cinnamon! Cassia comes from the bark of Cinnamomum verum trees and is produced into an essential oil or sold as cinnamon spice in powder or bark form. Cassia gives a great sensory experience with its sweet smell and spicy taste.
Cassia has antifungal and antimicrobial properties and has been used in traditional medicinal practices to treat a wide range of problems from nausea to depression to diabetes and more. It has even been used for cramps and other menstrual symptoms.
But the magic of cassia does not stop there “ it can also do wonders for your hair. Cassia obovata works like a henna-style colouring treatment to lighten the hair without harmful chemicals, while Cassia hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride is amazing for conditioning. These forms of Cassia thicken your hair while making it soft, silky, shiny, and strong. Basically, every girl’s hair goals, right?
Try Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner ($7.19 each, well.ca) to bring out the ultimate shine in your luscious locks.
Seaberry
Seaberry oil, or sea buckthorn oil, is extracted from the fruit and seeds of the Hippophae rhamnoides plant. It also has a wide range of uses from eczema relief to wound healing, thanks to its high presence of antioxidants like Vitamin C.
Seaberry oil is somewhat new to the general public and is all the rage right now “ and for good reason. Compared to other carrier oils, seaberry oil is certainly not cheap, but the amount of benefits that come with it are worth every penny. It’s jam packed with Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9, so it is super moisturizing and nourishing for your skin. This exquisite oil is also excellent for combating wrinkles and aging.
Check out Fresh Seaberry Skin Nutrition Booster ($53.00, Sephora) to treat your face to some serious lovin’. Seaberry is also found in the Herbal Essences Shampoo & Conditioner listed above, so your hair can feel the love too!
Montmorillonite clay
Also known as French clay, this stuff comes straight from France so you know it’s gotta be good. Montmorillonite clay is high in calcium and rich in minerals. So much so that people actually eat it! It has been known to help with digestion, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as allergies and other skin issues like dermatitis and eczema.
Montmorillonite clay is mostly used for healing, cleansing, and detoxification purposes. It is amazing at removing toxins, chemicals, and impurities from the skin. And where would you most want to remove such nastiness? From your face of course. This stuff works wonders in face masks, leaving you clean, smooth, and refreshed.
Try Life Brand Detoxifying Face Mask with French Clay ($1.99, Shoppers Drug Mart).
Green Tea
This is pretty familiar as most of us drink it regularly, or at least every time we go for sushi. Arguably one of the healthiest beverages on earth (except for water maybe), green tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s high in antioxidants and can help with digestion, cholesterol, weight loss, improved brain function, and various diseases like cancer and diabetes. But what exactly can it do for our skin?
The antioxidant properties of green tea are wonderful for skin replenishment and rejuvenation. This combined with its anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for slowing down signs of aging in the skin. Green tea is both soothing and refreshing, so it is a wonderful additive to lotions, creams, and moisturizers. It has even been shown to protect against sun damage.
The Body Shop has recently launched a line of products containing green tea. We recommend their Fuji Green Tea Body Butter ($20, The Body Shop) to slather all over yourself this summer.
White Tea
As amazing as green tea is, evidently it’s got nothing on white tea. They both come from the same plant, which is why they have the same antioxidants, but white tea has them in higher quantities. Needless to say, they share all the same benefits but white tea is especially helpful in protecting you from developing cancer.
In terms of skin care, white tea trumps green tea when it comes to battling signs of aging. So if you are concerned about sagging, lines, and wrinkles, opt for products that contain white tea over green. You can’t go wrong either way, but white tea is definitely much more effective.
For an everyday facial skin boost, try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Exfoliating Scrub with White Tea & Vitamin E ($10.99, Amazon).
