Yes, we’ve all heard what Miranda Priestly thinks of florals for Spring (see this GIF, if you’re not aware) but anyone who disregards the power of flowers (yes, we went there) needs to return to weeding the garden – ’tis the season after all. Spring is known to unleash the hippy in all of us; it can see us frolicking barefoot through cornfields, taking endless pictures of blossom, reaching for floral print tea dresses, buying fresh Tulips for the kitchen table and even opting for lighter, floral-infused beauty products. Oh, we do love a good flower concoction, don’t you?
They’re not only incredibly pretty (and also photogenic), but flowers are a key focus in many skincare products and offer a vast amount of benefits for our skin. Even now, we’re looking at our skincare stash and it’s basically a bouquet of botanicals. Too much in common with Miranda Priestly and not yet a floral convert? You soon will be when you discover what goodness they can do for your skin. Obvs, you’re not going to be caressing your face with an actual flower, but as an extract or an essential oil, our treasured florals can work wonders for our complexions.
Want to know our faves? Go on then…
R O S E
We’re partial to a bouquet of roses, especially red ones (we can let you know our address if you’re offering ?)… but roses are a popular flower used in many skincare products, and for good reason. Did you know that the rose was the first flower from which an essential oil was distilled? If you answered no, don’t worry, we didn’t either. Rose essential oil has high anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great one for targeting spots or redness, while its calming properties can help soothe skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema. It’s also full of vitamin C (a brilliant and powerful antioxidant), which helps protect skin cells from damage. Not to mention the fact that it’s naturally fragrant, moisturising and relaxing. What are you waiting for? Stop and smell the roses (and choose your skincare accordingly).
L A V E N D E R
Love it or loathe it, Lavender has some pretty impressive credentials, therefore you can understand why it makes sense to add it into the products we use on a daily basis. Not only does this purple-hued beauty provide a soothing scent that aids stress, anxiety and sleep, its superpowers also work to improve eczema and acne while providing fab anti-oxidant protection. The Lavender in many of our products, including bath gels, skincare and soaps, is formulated from dried flowers and the essential oils extracted from the lavender plant. Lavender is also pretty great when used in a toner as it firms skin and boosts circulation. Actually, it’s just pretty great all round as the Lavender essential oil is FAB for our hair too – promoting hair growth and treating a number of hair woes. Accident prone? Lavender is additionally our go to for healing cuts, burns and pesky insect bites. Basically, got a problem? Lavender’s got your back.
C H A M O M I L E
We’re quite partial to a chamomile tea before bed, so we’re glad to see this botanical extract utilised well in our skincare regime – products can be infused with chamomile extract, chamomile essential oil or chamomile tea. Calming Chamomile (as we like to call it) is native to a number of countries including Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. It has a long-standing reputation for treating a number of conditions and has soothing anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good’un for sensitive or troublesome skin due to its ability to unclog pores. Chamomile is additionally anti-fungal and antibacterial and works to heal minor skin wounds while fighting to shield skin from irritants and free radicals. Lovely jubbly.
C A L E N D U L A
Often known as marigolds (no, not the ones you wash up with…), the Calendula flower is native to Southwestern Asia, Western Europe, Macaronesia and the Mediterranean and is a plant-based antioxidant that protects the body against cell-damaging free radicals (one main cause of premature ageing didn’t ya know). Not just a pretty flower, Calendula is commonly used to treat acne, dermatitis, nappy rashes, dry skin, eczema and insect bites and is a natural emollient with great moisturising properties. This genius herb flower is also known to stimulate the production of collagen and works to naturally brighten the skin.
To celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show (taking place on 23 May) we’ve put together a few of our floral beauty faves, jam-packed into one rather blooming beautiful box. Thistle deffo cheer you up ‘cus it’s worth £84 and yours for just £20.
