Rooibos Leaf Extract delivers big benefits to improve skin integrity, especially for reactive complexions, fine lines and uneven skin tone. We take a look at the soothing, protective role Rooibos can play in your routine.
What is Rooibos Leaf Extract? Rooibos is unique to the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa's Western Cape, the only place this incredible shrub grows. Adapted to the land's sandy, acidic soils, Rooibos withstands scorching summer days and bitterly cold winter nights in the raw beauty of this dramatic landscape. Pronounced "royboss", the bush was named after its red stem (Rooibos means 'red bush'), and the extract is concentrated and distilled from the leaves after harvesting.
Benefits of Rooibos Leaf Extract for skin
For centuries the indigenous San and Khoi people have brewed the soft, needle-shaped leaves to unlock and partake in the plants' abundant health benefits.
A high-potency botanical extract full of antioxidants, minerals and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Rooibos isn't only beneficial as tea but also as topical skincare.
A potent antioxidant profile: Evens out skin tone and protects the skin from damage
The power of Rooibos to restore a tired complexion and improve skin tone lies in its mighty antioxidant profile. This incredible extract is a powerhouse of polyphenols, including flavonols, flavones, flavanones and dihydrochalcones.
Why is this good news for your skin? Polyphenols are naturally occurring phyto-chemicals, active free-radical scavengers that defend cells against environmental aggressors. UV light, pollution, and other lifestyle habits switch on free-radical activity, attacking healthy cells and quickening signs of aging. This process, called oxidative stress, leads to fine lines and pigmentation. Polyphenols act as an off switch, halting free radicals in their tracks, protecting and helping skin recover from the damage.
Rooibos assists in preventing and softening signs of aging, sunspots are minimized, and uneven skin tone is improved.
Anti-inflammatory: Soothes blotchy, stressed skin
A problem skin savior, the anti-inflammatory benefits of Rooibos pacify reactive skin, helping heal and minimize blotchy flare-ups to encourage consistently calm behavior. The soothing characteristics of Rooibos make it ideal for all skin types, especially eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and acne-prone skin. A testament to its gentle nature, Rooibos Leaf Extract is often found in baby skin formulations. It also offers redness-reducing post-sun care when skin calls for extra TLC in the days following excessive sun exposure.
Antimicrobial properties: A profound yet gentle cleanse
Rooibos suppresses the growth of bacteria within the pore to tackle breakouts from the occasional pimple to chronic acne. The extract plays beautifully as a team with gentle acids to clean and clarify pores without disturbing the barrier and avoiding further flare-ups. If you have reactive skin, Rooibos is the ingredient for you.
Rooibos in the African Botanics range
The Rooibos Leaf Extract used in African Botanics is a singular, high potency extract developed by a team of scientists in South Africa to combine the latest in modern technologies with the active components of the antioxidant rich plant.
You'll find Rooibos front and center in the Rooibos Glycolic Booster, Commiphora Face Cleanser, Buchu Botanical Enzyme Polish, Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser, Silver Rescue Cream, Silver Rescue Serum and in many other African Botanics products.
Sustainability first: The story of our Rooibos Leaf Extract
Sustainability is the foundation of our ingredient sourcing for the African Botanics range, and our Rooibos producers are part of the Rooibos Biodiversity Initiative (RBI). The RBI is commissioned by Cape Nature and the South African Rooibos Council, which seeks to generate a sustainable industry with economic opportunities and social benefits to all stakeholders.
In 2019 an industry - wide Benefit Sharing Agreement was reached wherein a determined portion of the profits generated by the cultivation of Rooibos is shared with councils representing the Khoi and San people, the traditional knowledge holders of the plant. Our Rooibos producers have, over several generations, perfected the art of cultivating this remarkable plant with a long track record of environmental and social responsibility. Well-adapted to their harsh growing conditions, Rooibos plants are water-wise and require no irrigation or fertilizer. The shrub's low maintenance nature makes it highly sustainable and energy efficient to harvest. Our Rooibos is sourced from a bio-dynamic farm, where you'll find citrus trees and other medicinal plants growing together with Rooibos to promote ecological balance. Take a holistic approach to glowing skin and allow Rooibos to work its magic inwards and outwards; elevate your skincare results by sipping rooibos tea!
Research and references:
The Rooibos Story | SA Rooibos Council
Rooibos herbal tea: An optimal cup and its consumers - PMC (nih.gov)
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aspalathus linearis and Cyclopia spp. Extracts in a UVB/Keratinocyte (HaCaT) Model Utilising Interleukin-1α Accumulation as Biomarker - PubMed (nih.gov)