Consider yourself a fan of natural beauty products? Indeed, nature often knows best when it comes to beautiful and radiant skin. But in contrast to well-loved ingredients like aloe vera, moringa and cupuacu butter, there is one plant that you probably didn't expect to see in a skin care product: bamboo.
Yup, the plant that's typically used for construction, home decor and food for pandas is actually a not-so-secret ingredient in the beauty industry. If you look closely, many K-beauty products incorporate some form of bamboo in their products, whether it is bamboo salt, bamboo sap or bamboo charcoal — which is no doubt due to the fact that the stuff is made up of tons of skin-loving, nutritious ingredients. Read on to learn how this simple plant can bring amazing benefits to your skin.
Image via @erborian
It helps keep your skin radiant and supple
Bamboo is rich in natural silica, an ingredient that can help give your skin a radiant glow. You see, in addition to having hydration benefits, silica aids the production of collagen, which firms skin and gives it a youthful bounce. Using a moisturizer with bamboo extract will make your skin look smoother and supple with regular use. Try Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask, $43, which you can use as a wash-off pack or a leave-on overnight treatment.
It's a powerful anti-inflammatory
A significant benefit from bamboo extract is its ability to heal the skin, making it the perfect pair for any acne-fighting skin care product. We often tend to sensitize our skin whenever we go overboard with chemical exfoliants (particularly when treating acne), which leaves skin irritated and inflamed. Bamboo extract helps soothe the skin and assists in the healing process. A gel cream, like Dr. Oracle A-Thera Cream, $36, is the best moisturizer for those with acne-prone skin.
It has antibacterial properties
Bamboo extract also has antibacterial properties, which is always welcome in our books. The Fresh Creme Ancienne Infusion Toner, $90, utilizes bamboo extract along with other powerful botanicals to help cleanse, tone and hydrate the skin.
It's great for drawing impurities from the skin
In the form of bamboo charcoal, bamboo also happens to be great for purifying and detoxifying skin. Take, for instance, the Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar Soap, $12, a soap designed to leave oily, combination and acne-prone skin extra, extra clean.
