What Is Kangaroo Paw Flower And What Are Its Skincare Benefits?
There are so many hidden secrets tucked away in the outback of Australia, we have previously shared with you the superfood Kakadu plum, the olive-sized vitamin C enriched skincare ingredient. Well, now we have another supercharged powerhouse for you to learn more about. The kangaroo paw flower is the latest botanical ingredient to be gathering quite the following in the beauty world and we are here to tell you all about it.
What is Kangaroo Paw flower?
As the name suggests, the kangaroo paw flower, which blooms in a range of vibrant, yellows, reds and greens grows in the shape similar to those of a kangaroo’s paw. For thousands of years, the Indigenous Australians have used the plant in traditional recipes to help with wounds, cuts and burns due to its powerful healing properties. It is these benefits that have made the kangaroo paw flower a must-have ingredient in skincare products with its unique healing and soothing abilities being able to become formulated in various skincare products.
What does the kangaroo paw flower do for the skin?
The kangaroo paw flower is full of fatty acids that are essential to keeping your skin looking youthful and healthy by encouraging cell growth offering an impressive restorative and anti-ageing results to the complexion.
Extracts of the kangaroo paw flower can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Due to the regenerating properties of the kangaroo paw flower provides can combat fine lines and wrinkles. The skin will appear smoother and feel firmer, as the flower extract is fast working and potent ingredient to use on the areas that tend to show signs of ageing first, such as the neck, areas around the mouth and eyes. Clinically proven results have found the kangaroo paw flower to tighten and give a firmer appearance around the delicate eye area in rapid time.
Kangaroo paw flower is able to hydrate and brighten the complexion
Kangaroo paw flower is rich in linoleic acid which has the ability to help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, that encounters a daily dose of environmental aggressors, such as free radicals, UV rays and pollution. Linoleic acid can also help the skin lock in moisture keeping it hydrated and comfortable which is impressive, especially considering the skin cannot naturally produce the acid and relies on it being topically applied onto the skin.
Kangaroo paw flower also contains ferulic acid, an anti-oxidant praised for its remarkable brightening and anti-ageing effects to the skin. Both acids are able to deeply penetrate the skin and revive lacklustre skin bringing a healthy, plumped glow back to the face with fine lines and wrinkles ironed out.
Kangaroo paw flower can help restore firmness to the skin
This powerhouse ingredient can provide many benefits for the skin, including the ability to turn back the clock, by this we mean it can help firm and tighten skin that naturally begins to lose elasticity as we age. The kangaroo paw flower can reach the deeper layers of the skin and kickstart the metabolism allowing the skin to firm and any signs of sagging are significantly reduced.
Kangaroo paw flower helps speed up the skin’s renewal
Our skin has a 30-day cycle allowing the dead skin cells to shed away and reveal new cells that are more vibrant. This monthly process can be interrupted or slowed down by a number of reasons, like which skin type you have (dry skin’s take a little longer than 30 days) and how the skin ages over time. This then leads to a build-up of dead skin cells that can make the skin appear dull, grey and sallow, this build-up can also cause a number of concerns like spots and blemishes for more oily skin types.
You will also find that other concerns on the skin, such as pigmentation, scarring, uneven texture and congestion occur with the build-up of cells. Luckily for all of us, kangaroo paw flower can help restore balance to the skin and help heal and strengthen any damage to the skin barrier making it appear glowing and youthful.
How to add kangaroo paw flower into your skincare routine
The kangaroo paw is certainly making waves in the beauty industry but still remains a little unknown meaning there are not a huge amount of brands and products that contain this superfood. You will find extracts of the flower in serums and moisturisers, which are the ideal products due to them staying on the skin for a significantly longer amount of time, in comparison to a cleanser or toner. Serums are formulated to work their way deep into the skin therefore allowing this potent anti-oxidant to reach the areas of the face to help regenerate the skin cells, boost collagen production and rev up the elastin production.
How will the kangaroo paw flower work with other skincare ingredients?
The kangaroo paw flower is a botanical plant extract and can be mixed into a formula of other skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and other AHAs and BHA. There should be no reactions or irritation caused from the flower being added into the blend of active ingredients, although it is always advisable to perform a patch test when introducing a new product or ingredient in your skincare routine.
To perform a patch test you firstly start by applying a 10p size amount of the product to your forearm and leave for over 24 hours, if there is no sign of irritation, skin reaction or itching you are able to apply it onto your skin. If, however, you are still unsure contact your doctor or dermatologist for a consultation.
There you have a little insight into Australia’s best-kept skincare secret! There is still much more to learn about the kangaroo paw flower and its full potential of skin benefits it is able to deliver. Much like any skincare high performing ingredient that storms the beauty world, pretty soon you will see it appear in every product out there. For the time being, you can feel quite smug about the fact you knew about this skin rejuvenating ingredient before everybody else.
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DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
