Rooibos Leaf Extract: Calm and restore problem skin
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 phytochemicals - 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 ageing. 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 ageing, sunspots are minimised, and uneven skin tone is improved.
Anti-inflammatory: Soothes blotchy, stressed skin
A problem skin saviour, the anti-inflammatory benefits of Rooibos pacify reactive skin, helping heal and minimise blotchy flare-ups to encourage consistently calm behaviour.
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.
We've carefully formulated Rooibos Glycolic Booster with an efficacious lineup of acids for this reason - to address breakouts and congestion without irritation.
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 and playing a supporting role in the Commiphora Face Cleanser.
Rooibos Glycolic Booster
This Night Renewal Super Booster is a multi-corrective, concentrated resurfacing booster that stimulates epidermal growth and repair while you sleep.
The formula is powered by Rooibos and supported by a blend of acids (Glycolic, Lactic, Fruit AHA, Lactobionic, Mandelic, Malic, and Salicylic), niacinamide, vitamin C, antioxidants, peptides and botanical extracts to target fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and overall texture.
Commiphora Face Cleanser
An effective exfoliating gel cleanser, Commiphora Face Cleanser powerfully washes away impurities and resets the skin while being gentle enough to use daily.
Antioxidant rich Rooibos Leaf Extract and Honeybush in partnership with Rose Geranium protect against environmental stress while rebalancing, tightening, and soothing inflamed skin.
Rooibos Leaf Extract is also found in Silver Rescue Cream, Mineral Cleansing Mask, Eye Contour Gel-Serum, Infusion Essence and Rose Treatment Essence and many others.
As you can see, this incredible extract is a firm favorite in the African Botanics range.
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)
