If you've noticed your skin lacking its usual vibrancy or firmness, it might be time to turn to a remedy that has stood the test of time.

Horsetail, a 'living fossil' known scientifically as Equisetum arvense, is not only a testament to nature's resilience but also a treasure trove of benefits for your skin. 

This ancient herb, native to the Northern Hemisphere and prevalent across European landscapes, goes by various names such as mare’s tail, shave grass, scouring rush, and bottlebrush, each reflecting a unique aspect of its appearance or traditional uses.

The history of horsetail

Horsetail's journey through time is as fascinating as its benefits. Esteemed by ancient Greeks and Romans, its medicinal properties were first documented by the Greek physician Claudius Galenus in the 17th century.

This herb was utilized extensively for its ability to combat fluid retention, support hair, skin, and nail health, and even treat osteoporosis and kidney issues.

Its broad application in traditional medicine across cultures, including China and Europe, underscores its versatility and enduring value.

The skin-boosting benefits of horsetail

Supports collagen production

Horsetail stands out in the botanical world for its unparalleled levels of bioavailable silicon, present as silica and silica acids. 

This trace mineral is crucial for the synthesis of collagen, a protein that lends skin its strength and elasticity. By bolstering collagen production, horsetail helps enhance skin resiliency and firmness, providing a smoother, more youthful complexion.

Revitalizing properties

Rich in isoquercitrin, a potent flavonoid, horsetail may help to accelerate cellular renewal. This action not only aids in the rapid recovery of skin tissues but also combats the effects of premature photo-aging, ensuring your skin remains vibrant and resilient.

Tames angry skin

The anti-inflammatory properties of horsetail play a significant role in quelling reactive skin. By interrupting the body’s inflammatory response, it minimizes potential damage to skin structures and wards off premature aging, offering a calming effect on angry skin.

Antioxidant-rich

Horsetail's abundance in natural flavonoids and antioxidants equips it to neutralize harmful free radicals generated by stress, environmental pollutants, UV rays, and electronic devices. 

This protective action helps prevent lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, safeguarding the skin from accelerated aging.

Nourishing and moisturizing

As a natural source of a wide array of phytonutrients and minerals, including calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and vitamins, horsetail serves as a powerful nutritive tonic for the skin. It improves skin barrier health and aids in moisture retention, leading to a soft, dewy complexion.

Incorporated into our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, horsetail enriches the skin with its unique blend of minerals and antioxidants, promoting collagen synthesis for a firm and smooth complexion. 

Whether you're looking to revitalize dull skin, enhance moisture retention, or protect against environmental stressors, horsetail offers a multifaceted approach to skin health that has been refined over millennia.

Horsetail's enduring presence and multifunctional benefits make it a cornerstone ingredient for anyone seeking to rejuvenate their skin naturally. By leveraging the ancient wisdom and scientific understanding of horsetail's properties, we can unlock a pathway to achieving radiant, healthy skin that withstands the test of time.

If your skin is looking slack and feeling like it's missing its usual bounce, it may be time to help boost collagen production.

Praised for its restorative benefits, horsetail is a ‘living fossil’ that has graced our planet with its fern-like fronds for hundreds of millions of years.

A perennial native to the Northern Hemisphere and European countries, horsetail (Equisetum arvense) also goes by the names shave grass, scouring rush, and bottlebrush.

It was used extensively by ancient Greeks and Romans for its medicinal properties being first recorded in medical texts by the Greek physician Claudius Galenus during the 17th century.

Containing some of the highest levels of bioavailable silicon in the form of silica and silica acids in the plant world, horsetail helps encourage collagen synthesis boosting skin resiliency and turgor. (Not to be confused with silicone, which is a man-made chemical commonly used in industrial applications.)

This restorative botanical is found in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence and helps promote collagen synthesis for a smooth, firm complexion.

Read on to learn how your skin can benefit from this delicate fern…

Restorative Benefits of Horsetail

Firm skin

Containing the highest levels of bioavailable silicon in the form of silica and silica acids in the plant world, this trace mineral is vital for taut skin, strong bones, and lustrous hair and nails. Silica is a vital building block of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. It is important for optimal collagen synthesis and activation of hydroxylating enzymes, which help to improve skin strength and elasticity.

Revitalizing

Packed with a flavonoid called isoquercitrin, horsetail extract is touted to speed up cellular regeneration. It may also help support the skin’s wound-healing processes and fight the effects of premature photo-aging.

Calming

Horsetail may help to interrupt the body’s inflammatory response. This action may decrease potential damage to skin structures, premature skin aging, and help to calm reddened skin.

Antioxidant-rich

Elevated free radicals from stress, environmental pollutants, UV rays, and radiation from smartphones and laptops may negatively impact skin health. These unstable molecules can lead to inflammation and lipid peroxidation, which may damage cellular DNA and vital skin proteins.

Loaded with natural flavonoids and other antioxidants, horsetail helps curb effects from free radicals and accelerated skin aging.

Nourishing

Horsetail is a natural source of phytonutrients and minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. This makes it a potent nutritive tonic when incorporated into a daily skincare regimen.

Moisturizing

By helping to improve skin texture and providing a rich source of phytonutrients, horsetail improves skin barrier health and moisture retention.

Horsetail has many skin benefits which is why we've included it in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence. Containing both silica and silica acids in a readily absorbable format, horsetail is an obvious choice for boosting collagen and improving skin health.

Sources:

Use of silicon for skin and hair care: an approach of chemical forms available and efficacy* Lidiane Advincula de Araújo,1 Flavia Addor,2 and Patrícia Maria Berardo Gonçalves Maia Campos1

Isolated isoquercitrin from Green ball apple peel inhibits photoaging in CCD-986Sk fibroblasts cells via modulation of the MMPs signaling. Eun-Ho Lee 1, Hye-Jin Park 1, Han-Hyuk Kim 2, Hee-Young Jung 3, In-Kyu Kang 4, Young-Je Cho 1