At Palladio Beauty, we’re obsessed with all things natural and botanical. Sometimes that takes the shape of botanical makeup with an infusion of vitamins; other times it’s more about the ingredients we’re dedicated to leaving out. Read on to learn about a few of the amazing ingredients you can expect to find in our authentically nourishing makeup, and boost your botanical-infused beauty knowledge in no time!

Aloe Vera

What it is:You’re likely familiar with the bright green, spikey plant whose viscous interior is used in everything from healing remedies to craft cocktails to nourishing makeup.

Why we love it:The same soothing, healing properties that might inspire you to snap off a piece of the Aloe Vera plant hold true in your favorite makeup. Like Coconut Oil, it’s also naturally antibacterial.

Apricot Oil

What it is:Apricot oil is extracted from the seeds of apricots since they have an oil content of 40-50%. It has generally been known to be a great carrier oil for other beneficial ingredients.

Why we love it:Apricot oil has been renowned in skincare for its ability to soothe and calm skin tone. It is superb at hydrating dry skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines, making it a fantastic botanical makeup ingredient.

Vitamin A

What it is:When it comes to vitamins, Vitamin A is a major player with a number of health benefits. In nature, dark leafy greens and carrots are good sources of Vitamin A. This is also the vitamin that’s referred to as retinol.

Why we love it:Vitamin A has long been prized for its anti-aging properties and may help give skin a more youthful appearance.

Castor Seed Oil

What it is:Castor seed oil is essentially vegetable oil that’s derived from the castor bean. 

Why we love it:This botanical ingredient has long been used in cosmetics as an emollient. However, its most unique property is that when dry it forms a solid film that can have water-binding properties, preventing water loss through the skin.

Vitamin C

What it is:Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a powerhouse nutrient and a major boon for botanical makeup. It aids in the formation of collagen and muscle and helps with various aspects of healing in the body.

Why we love it:Vitamin C offers protection against free radicals and can help brighten and even out skin tone.

Candelilla Wax

What it is:Candelilla Wax is a vegetable-based wax derived from the Candelilla plant (native to North America) and is a great vegan alternative to beeswax. 

Why we love it:Candelilla Wax has been known to help protect and soften skin, making it an ideal ingredient for gentle botanical makeup.

Chamomilla Recutita

What it is:Commonly known as Chamomile, this ingredient is a flowering plant often utilized in extract form for clean ingredient makeup.

Why we love it:If you’re familiar with the soothing effects of Chamomile tea, this same quality holds true for Chamomilla Recutita in botanical makeup. It’s been known to soothe, soften, and naturally moisturize skin.

Coconut Oil

What it is:As you might surmise, Coconut Oil is extracted from coconuts. This nourishing makeup ingredient is naturally antibacterial and offers lightweight moisturization.  

Why we love it:Much like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil provides plenty of healthy natural fats and nutrient-rich vegan moisture. It’s incredibly versatile and we just love it for the burst of moisture it can bring to lips and skin. Look for it in our Makeup Essentials Collection.

Vitamin D

What it is:Vitamin D is a much-loved feature of clean ingredient makeup due to its anti-aging properties and multiple benefits for the skin. 

Why we love it:In the context of nourishing makeup, Vitamin D can help aid skin repair and skin cell growth, leading to a more revitalized and youthful appearance.

Vitamin E

What it is:Antioxidant-rich, Vitamin E is one of our favorite botanical makeup ingredients. 

Why we love it:A perfect addition to skin-friendly nourishing makeup, Vitamin E can help skin stay hydrated and healthy. Look for it in your favorite Palladio lip colors and glosses.

Ginger

What it is:Ginger is a root that has been used for hundreds of years in cuisine for tangy flavor and in homeopathic treatments for things like nausea. In the beauty industry, it is fantastic for keeping irritable skin calm. 

Why we love it:As we’ve mentioned above, ginger acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory, making it the perfect clean ingredient for our makeup!

Ginkgo Biloba

What it is:This beloved medicinal ingredient is derived from the Ginkgo Biloba tree, native to China and one of the oldest tree species on earth. 

Why we love it:Ideal for clean ingredient makeup, Ginkgo Biloba has both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural fighter of free radicals.

Ginseng

What it is:Ginseng is also part of the root family and has long been recognized as an effective anti-inflammatory. 

Why we love it:Because we want our makeup to make you look andfeel good, we include ginseng in our formulations because it acts quickly against redness and puffiness.

Green Tea

What it is:Derived from unoxidized Camellia Sinensis leaves, Green Tea and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract are prized for their natural antioxidant properties.

Why we love it:While you’re probably familiar with some of the health benefits of Green Tea when imbibed, it can also be a potent ingredient in botanical makeup. Because green tea is anti-inflammatory, it can help improve skin tone by reducing redness and soothing irritation.

Hyaluronic Acid

What it is:Naturally produced by the body, Hyaluronic Acid has a number of health applications, including treating wounds and boosting skin’s natural health and moisture. 

Why we love it:Hyaluronic Acid is a fave among skincare professionals and a major boon for youthful-looking skin. Find it in botanical makeup like our luscious hydrating lip oil.

Jojoba Seed Oil

What it is:Jojoba is a shrub that commonly grows in dry regions of northern Mexico and the southwestern US. The oil and wax are taken from the seeds and can even be applied directly to the skin for certain skin conditions.

Why we love it:The fact that jojoba seed oil can be applied directly to the skin to help with specific ailments says enough about the natural power it holds! It’s super moisturizing and can act as an antibacterial agent, making it the perfect fit for our products.

Rice Starch

What it is:As the name suggests, this is the main component of rice. It’s an insoluble white powder and is great for absorption. 

Why we love it:Because of its lightweight, natural purity, rice starch is a perfect choice for all skin types, and appears in botanical makeup like the primer, powder, and rice paper blotting sheets you’ll find in our Rice collection for its mattifying properties. It has also been known to improve and repair the skin barrier.

Shea Butter

What it is:Extracted from the West African shea tree, Shea Butter is loaded with plant-based fatty acids and vitamins, and has been a beauty fave for centuries. 

Why we love it:Not only does Shea Butter smell amazing, it’s basically universally adored for its moisturizing properties. The oleic acid and linoleic acid you’ll find in Shea Butter helps moisturize the skin without leaving it oily or greasy, making it one of our top picks for lightweight botanical makeup. Our lip balm is a fantastic example of how shea butter can work its magic and keep you looking at your best.

Safflower

What it is:Safflower is a highly fragrant, thistle-like plant that is cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds. It was used by the early Spanish colonies as a substitute for saffron. 

Why we love it:It may seem odd to apply oil to acne, safflower oil has been known to unclog pores, alongside its anti-inflammatory effects. These properties make it a powerhouse ingredient for our botanical makeup.

Ingredients We Love to Leave Out

Animal Products

Going vegan isn’t just a dietary choice – it’s also about beauty best practices. While makeup should always be cruelty-free, 100% vegan makeup is also an excellent lifestyle choice.

Gluten

Gluten-free diets are growing in popularity and this is also translating to many other aspects of consumers’ lives, including makeup. Some of our most beloved nourishing makeup opts to skip the gluten and focus more on alternative ingredients instead. For the perfect sample, we recommend starting with the Palladio Beauty Rice Collection. 

Parabens

Widely held to do more harm than good, parabens have long been a popular chemical additive in beauty products. We’re of the opinion that they have no place in botanical makeup, and encourage sourcing a makeup kit that’s 100% paraben-free.

Now that you know a bit more about the key ingredients in naturally inspired, nourishing makeup, be sure to follow the Palladio Beauty blog for even more helpful tips and insights!