Breathe in, breathe out — what are adaptogens all about?

All we want is great skin, less stress and peace on earth. Is that so much to ask?

For at least two of those things, we look to traditional remedies derived from ancient wisdom and the bounty of nature. These ingredients have been used for centuries, but today they are known as adaptogens.

Adaptogens crossed over from health and wellness circles to the realm of personal care. Their claim to fame: they help the body resist stress-induced damage and restore its regular functions.

It’s not the first time the kitchen pantry has spilled over into the beauty cabinet — we’ve seen the same with greens, superfoods, vitamins and proteins. Consumers are always looking for the latest food-based ingredient and they are always hungry for more.

Now, with the right technology, we can apply the benefits of popular adaptogens to skin and hair care.

Schisandra berry: Five flavors of awesome

Called “five-flavor berry” for its robust flavor profile, the Schisandra berry is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for colds and seasickness. Sqisandryl® was developed with an extract of Schisandra berry as a skin and hair care ingredient with adaptogenic qualities.

Skin is commonly damaged by oxidative stress, mechanical forces (such as aging) and pollutants. Sqisandryl helps skin adapt to all three while promoting the bond between epidermis and dermis, helping to maintain homeostasis, and aiding in control of inflammation.

A study of Sqisandryl showed a 20 percent improvement in skin elasticity, visible reduction of fine lines, and other benefits after a period of 28 days. It was also found to revitalize and control signs of aging in the hair.

Moringa: Tree of life

The moringa oleifera tree has plenty of favorable qualities, from the nutritional benefits of its pods to the medicinal uses of its leaves and flowers. Moringa was traditionally used to purify water. Its seed oil was a component in cosmetic, medicinal and religious ointments in ancient times.

It’s so versatile that we actually made it into two products: Purisoft® for the skin and Puricare® for the hair. Purisoft helps protect skin from pollutants with an antiadhesion shield, helps to reduce oxidative stress and provides some detoxification for the skin to reveal a natural glow. Puricare aids in fighting off pollution-based stress from exhaust gas and UV while helping to strengthen the hair.

Testing of Purisoft demonstrated its ability to assist in rebalance skin microflora and fight induced inflammation, while Puricare tests showed reduced dust adhesion and notable visible results.

Indian senna: Pure goodness

Cassia angustifolia, or senna, is an ayurvedic herb rich in polysaccharides. Its traditional uses include purifying the blood, relieving constipation and alleviating skin diseases — the shrub has shown anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits for skin.

That’s how we came up with Hyalurosooth®, which helps to provide dermal protection and hydration that minimizes the visual effects of stress in skin. It helps the skin recover some of the radiance it loses in times of stress.

Hyalurosmooth does this by reducing the amount of cortisol in skin, which can shoot up to higher levels in times of stress and have an adverse effect on the skin. Testing with the product showed a boost in skin hydration and radiance.