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Ashwagandha in skincare: everything you need to know about the calming adaptogen of the moment
2 years ago
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4 min read
Renowned for its calming, de-stressing properties, ashwagandha is now making its way into our skincare. But is it worth the hype?
A popular ingredient in wellness powders, herbal teas and stress-relieving supplements, you may already be familiar with ashwagandha. The adaptogenic herb is widely used in many medicinal recipes and health supplements, but now it’s making its way into our skincare routines – promising antioxidant responses, boosted cell turnover and a calmer complexion.
And while many skincare ingredients start out in the health space (think turmeric, CBD and coconut oil), whenever an ingredient seemingly gains popularity overnight, we want to make sure it’s worth the hype – rather than just another buzzword in the beauty industry that’s added to marketing claims without adding anything significant to the formula.
So, we rounded up skincare experts and aesthetic doctors to help us figure out if the hype behind ashwagandha is legit. Plus, we’ve compiled some of the best skincare products that harness the powers of this ancient herb within their formula. Keep scrolling for your ashwagandha 101.
What are the benefits of using ashwagandha in skincare?
“Typically ashwagandha is used to calm inflamed and stressed skin,” explains skincare specialist Parisa Bahramian.“When applied topically, it also helps to support collagen production, which can help prevent visible signs of premature ageing.” And it’s not just skincare that’s jumping on the ashwagandha bandwagon. “When used in shampoos, ashwagandha is also known to stimulate the scalp, improve blood circulation and fight dandruff,” explains Dr Usman Qureshi, aesthetic doctor and founder of The Luxe Clinic.
What skin types could benefit from using ashwagandha products?
Ashwagandha is great for many skin types – thanks to its adaptogenic properties that calm, soothe and help skin become less reactive. Oily skin types will benefit as it naturally prevents and reduces oil secretion, without stripping essential moisture from your skin. It can also increase cellular turnover – which helps to brighten dull skin. And for those concerned with hyperpigmentation? Well, ashwagandha can help control the overproduction of melanin in the skin and help reduce inflammation. Clever stuff.
10 of the best ashwagandha-based skincare products
StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi-Correct Serum
This serum is formulated to improve the appearance of the skin by refining pores, skin texture and fine lines. A common side effect of retinol is increased dryness and irritation. Enter, ashwagandha: incorporated in this formula to soothe the skin and reduce dryness and irritation.
Shop StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi-Correct Serum at Lookfantastic, £79
Ranavat Radiant Rani Saffron Brightening Serum
This serum works to illuminate and firm the complexion using the ayurvedic power of saffron. Its formula taps into ashwagandha’s antioxidant properties to withstand environmental aggressors. With blemishes faded and hyperpigmentation addressed, skin is left seamless and even.
Shop Ranavat Radiant Rani Saffron Brightening Serum at Cult Beauty, £135
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum
This serum knows a thing or two about targeting dark spots. Light diffusing technology balances the complexion, and shitake mushrooms brighten the skin. Ashwagandha takes on pollution (a major cause of dark spots) by delivering antioxidants that shield the skin.
Shop Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum at Sephora, £99
Mauli Vayu Age-Defying Concentrate
Where wellness and skincare meet, this calming ritual is one to include in your everyday routine. Ashwagandha blends with rosehip seed and evening primrose to create the ultimate mindfulness moment and protective blend for the skin. Used day and night, it will restore balance to the complexion while brightening skin tone and plumping fine lines.
Shop Mauli Vayu Age-Defying Concentrate at Lookfantastic, £64
Ranavat Imperial Glow Facial Polish
This balm-to-milk cleansing polish is like a reset button for your skin. It uses finely milled rice powder to shift the dulling dead skin cells and reveal the shiny new ones beneath. Then, it calls on ashwagandha to counter the effects of external aggressors. Seed extracts and almond oil deliver moisture to never strip the skin.
Shop Ranavat Imperial Glow Facial Polish at Cult Beauty, £45
Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
With an adaptogenic blend of ashwagandha and fermented reishi mushroom, this calming cream helps skin cope with dryness, irritation, redness, fine lines and wrinkles. Soft, soothed skin at the ready.
Shop Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream at Cult Beauty, £18
Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil
Perfect for soothing and nourishing stressed-out complexions, this omega-rich oil is enriched with cannabis sativa seed oil to calm areas of irritation, while shiitake mushroom and ashwagandha root provide a safeguard against environmental aggressors.
Shop Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil at Lookfantastic, £44
Moon Juice Cosmic Cream Collagen Protecting Moisturizer
For a plumper, more radiant-looking complexion, this juicy cream is blended with fatty acids, superfood mushrooms and ashwagandha, plus soothing aloe, nourishing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to deeply penetrate the skin and lock in moisture.
Shop Moon Juice Cosmic Cream Collagen Protecting Moisturizer at Sephora, £54
Youth To The People Retinal and Niacinamide Youth Serum
If the drying side effects of retinol leave you reluctant to try it, then turn to this serum as a trusted choice. It works as hard as high-dose retinol while strengthening your skin barrier to avoid irritation. Niacinamide soothes, ceramides hydrate and ashwagandha saves the day against external aggressors.
Shop Youth To The People Retinal and Niacinamide Youth Serum at Cult Beauty, £64
Grown Alchemist Detox Toner
With an advanced blend of Indian ashwagandha, ginkgo leaf and ginseng extracts, this soothing toner supports collagen and elastin production, while targeting environmental aggressors and damaged cells in order to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Clever.
Images: Stylist Loves; courtesy of brands
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