Written by Adeline J. Wells
As we etch further into the month of April, there is no denying that spring has arrived. Green hillsides are blossoming with color; the snow on the San Gorgonio Mountains slowly begins to fade. With the blooming of all flora across the Mojave, it is a good time to recognize the native plants that can be used beneficially in beauty. Here are a few of the plants used in desert skincare.
Sage
Salvia Officinalis, or Sage Oil, is an ingredient native to the Mojave Desert that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Sage is well known for its antimicrobial properties; due to this, it is excellent at promoting wound healing. Rich in Vitamin A as well as Calcium, the oil promotes cell turnover and regeneration, renewing the skin and restricting the onset of wrinkles. Sage Oil also helps regulate sebum production, which prevents the skin from getting too full of oils that lead to issues such as acne. Acne is also combated by the oil’s inclusion of Ursolic Acid, an antiseptic that gently exfoliates the skin, while Carnosic Acid helps protect from UV damage.
Chaparral
Also referred to as creosote, greasewood, or chaparral, Larrea Tridentata is a bush native to the deserts of the Southwest, including our very own Mojave. It can be identified by bright green leaves and yellow flowers. Its product, Larrea Tridentata Extract, has anti-inflammatory properties that work well to soothe the skin, as well as treat ailments such as redness or acne. This extract also has wound-healing agents that can be useful when applied to broken or damaged skin. Embodying the refreshing scent of chaparral, this Larrea Tridentata Extract has a crisp, earthy fragrance that makes it a favorite in desert skincare.
Wild chaparral loves to be tended to; young plants will often sprout around the parent tree to create a root family after the first watering. Although it is a wild plant, sustainable harvesting helps cultivate new trees without affecting its population that naturally spans deserts in Southern California and Mexico.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Barbadensis, or Aloe Vera, is a well-known desert plant that stores water in its leaves. The product extracted is Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, which is commonly known for its anti-bacterial, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties when used in desert skincare. Often used to soothe dry, sensitive, or otherwise irritated skin, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice is an excellent ingredient to aid in regeneration.
Jojoba
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, or Jojoba Oil, is extracted from the seed of the Jojoba shrub, endemic to the deserts of the American Southwest. Jojoba Seed Oil is hailed for its anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used to calm various dry-skin ailments including chapping, eczema, and rosacea, and reduce redness. In contrast to other nourishing oils, Jojoba Oil for skin has a similar molecular composition to sebum, which the skin naturally produces for moisture; Jojoba Seed Oil mimics sebum when applied to the face, balancing out the complexion naturally.
Oasis of Mara Hand Cream
At Mojave Desert Skin Shield, Oasis of Mara is our special safe-for-skin formula, dermatologist-tested, and specifically designed to care for your hard-working hands. The name stems from the first known Indigenous settlement in the Mojave Desert, known for its lush fruit and vegetable gardens.
The Oasis of Mara Hand Cream is composed of several native plants, making it a key element in any desert skincare routine.
