It's no secret that the skincare industry has been experiencing what could only be described as a botanical renaissance lately, and lotus flower-infused products fit right in. Over the past few years, we've been seeing a steady rise in skincare touting the benefits of lotus-flower infusions, from smoothing fine lines and wrinkles to leaving the complexion looking luminous and youthful in seconds. This time around, I'm diving into the world of lotus-flower skincare by tapping two skincare founders who spearheaded the launch of one of the most popular lotus skincare collections and have recently released a new addition.
Scroll on to learn more about the trendy ingredient and discover my top picks for the lotus-flower skincare that you'll want to clear space for in your beauty cabinet.
To completely grasp the potential for lotus flower to revamp our skincare, we must first look to its unique history and cultural ties. Lev Glazman, co-president and co-founder of Fresh, details just how impressive lotus flower has been throughout history. "The lotus plant has existed for over 138 million years, and it is such a unique plant. Its seeds are viable for centuries, and it's known as a 'livil fossil.' They also bloom in a very interesting way -- rising through dark water to blossom into a beautiful flower on the surface," he says. After Glazman and Alina Roytberg, Fresh's co-president and co-founder, learned about the process and the longevity of lotus seeds, they set out to harness the power of the lotus and apply it to the preservation of the skin.
For Fresh's Lotus Youth Preserve line, the Super Lotus is extracted from the lotus plant. "[It] addresses first signs of aging by smoothing out fine lines and texture, helping to boost radiance and protecting from daily skin stressors," explains Roytberg. To create the brand's best-selling line of Super Lotus skincare, the sacred lotus (a type of lotus with a large petal that's commonly pink and white) is handpicked right from the water while it is in full bloom between mid-July and August.
Then what? According to Roytberg, the Super Lotus extract is obtained from the whole living lotus plant, and a scientist at an on-site mobile lab ensures the active molecules are still intact after being harvested. The living lotus plant -- flower, stem, and leaves -- is gently pressed to extract the juice within the hour of being cut. Off-site, Fresh uses what Roytberg describes as a "revolutionary youth-fractioning technique" to isolate the plant cell fractions, creating the concentrated ingredient. Any plant by-products from the juicing process are returned to the soil to promote ecological balance.
Incorporating lotus-infused products into your skincare lineup has never been easier. More and more beauty brands like Fresh are launching collections featuring the superstar ingredient. For your skin to get the most out of these products, it's important to be discerning about how and when they're used. "To see the best results, the key is consistency more so than incorporating it via one specific step in your routine," Glazman says. "At Fresh, we really have a product formulated with our Super Lotus ingredient for every step of your routine! It is about personal preference. If you like to use a serum instead of a toner, we have a Lotus Toner and a Lotus Serum to choose from," he explains.
Below, I've compiled a list of 18 different lotus-infused skincare products across eight major brands, including Fresh, SkinMedica, and Ranavat. Believe me -- you won't want to skip out on this skincare ingredient trend while the market is full of so many amazing finds.
Founded by in 1991 by Glazman and Roytberg, Fresh combines potent natural ingredients, ancient rituals, and modern science to create transformative skincare, lipcare, bodycare, and fragrance. The Lotus Youth Preserve collection was born out of an interest in the lotus seed's longevity and impact in its 138 million years of existence, and the lineup of Super Lotus-infused products are designed to be used together.
Since its launch in 1999, SkinMedica has been a leader in professional-grade skincare by pioneering the patented process of extracting stabilized and concentrated growth factors for use in topical skincare. The brand also has an in-house laboratory that makes working with clinical researchers possible, as all of its skincare innovation relies on research.
Built on Indian Ayurvedic principles (the concept that everything is made of three types of energy related to the basic biology of the body), Ranavat is an innovative beauty brand founded by South Asian scientist turned entrepreneur Michelle Ranavat in 2017. Since then, the brand has gone on to launch adaptogenic beauty essentials with botanical-based formulas.
Founded on South Korea's Jeju Island (one of The New Seven Wonders of the World as of 2021), K-Beauty brand The Pure Lotus uses natural substances extracted from the white lotus flower to promote the skin's own self-purification system. The Pure Lotus products are manufactured in CGMP-certified facilities and have received cosmetic certification from Jeju Island as well as Europe.