Will we see more adaptogens in beauty?

Adaptogens are plant based ingredients that help the body manage – or adapt –  its response to stress. In Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, apoptogenic roots, herbs and mushrooms have been used for centuries. Common adaptogens include ashwagandha, Holy Basil, reishi mushroom and lion’s mane mushroom.

We are starting to see the appearance of adaptogens in the skincare space; the ingredients are typically high in antioxidants and can arm the skin with additional protection against environmental stressors.

“If you tend to break out due to stress, it’s worth incorporating adaptogens in your diet and skincare. When used topically, adaptogens are known to help the skin adapt better to stress while keeping redness and flare-ups at bay” says Dr. David Jones to Harpers Bazaar.

Youth To The People, Dove and Herbar are some of the brands in the adaptogen space, with Herbar centring their entire brand story around the ingredients, championing ‘that beauty can be healing’.

There is opportunity with adaptogens to educate and communicate through storytelling, which can help brands to build and engage with their communities. Brands looking to enter the space should ensure they are mindful of the centuries of history surrounding the ingredients.