5 Horsetail Benefits for Your Skin

Finding the holy grail of skincare ingredients can be a difficult task. With every new product that comes out, you see different ingredients advertised as “the one” you should be using. How do you know what’s going to work for best your skin? The good news is that at Cosmedica Skincare, we’ve done the extensive research on ingredients for you. Our team of experts is hard at work formulating the right combination of ingredients to make sure that your skincare routine is effective for your skin type and concerns. 

It’s all about the goal of having more beautiful skin with a routine that’s not hard to follow. With the right routine and ingredients, better-looking skin is within your grasp. One of those miracle ingredients that’s in quite a few of our products at Cosmedica Skincare is horsetail extract. Let’s look at what this skincare ingredient actually is, what horsetail extract does for your skin, and some of the products we offer that contain this beneficial plant. 

First of All, What Is Horsetail? 

Horsetail has nothing to do with its namesake, a horse. It’s a plant that primarily grows in temperate climates including North America and Europe. The reason why it is called horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is because this fern-like plant looks like a fuzzy mare’s tail. Cute, right? Dating back centuries, the scientific name for this plant, Equisetum arvense, is Latin for horse bristle. There are several subspecies of the horsetail plant that can sometimes grow to almost 100 feet tall.

The United States Department of Agriculture dates the cultural use of horsetail all the way back to Chinese and Roman times. The horsetail herb was used for a variety of medicinal purposes within these civilizations. Native Americans also consumed this plant in various dishes. The stems taste a little bit like asparagus when cooked. Horsetails have a high nutrition profile, making them a great food for humans and animals alike. 

What is Horsetail Used For? 

Horsetail has also been used for centuries as an herbal remedy and offers many health benefits. Horsetail acts as a natural diuretic to reduce fluid retention. As a diuretic, the herbal medicine can help support a healthy urinary system, and is sometimes suggested to treat kidney stones and urinary tract infections. The herbal supplement is also used to promote bone and joint health. Healthline describes horsetail has a aid to bone healing in joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Lastly, the horsetail supplement is known to have potential benefits surrounding nail and hair growth. Say bye to those brittle fingernails and hair loss!

In looking at what makes it great for the body and skincare, you have to understand all the properties of horsetail and why we love this ingredient.  

• Antibacterial: Helps to prevent the growth of bacteria. 
• Antimicrobial: Slows the spread of microorganisms such as mold and mildew.
• Antioxidant: Fights off free radicals that can cause damage to the body and promotes healthy hair.
• Skin Smoothing: Promotes collagen production for younger-looking skin. 
• Wound Healing: Calms skin irritation and wounds. 
• Anti-inflammatory Property: Phenolic compounds reduce swelling and redness. 

How Horsetail Benefits Your Skin? 

Now let’s get to the good stuff! Horsetail has so many benefits for your skin that you will see as soon as you start using products that contain it. The properties that we just discussed are the basis for why it’s such a beneficial skincare ingredient. 

1. Makes the Skin Tighter and Firmer

Due to the way that horsetail helps to promote collagen, which is essentially the foundation of healthy skin, it will make the skin look and feel tighter and firmer. It can help improve elastin production for skin that is more supple and youthful-looking. 

2. Cleanses and Detoxifies Skin

Since it’s antimicrobial and antibacterial, it offers a superior cleansing experience for the skin. Using a cleanser with horsetail will also naturally unclog pores. You’ll feel like your pores look smaller in the process, which is a great benefit for those with oily skin and large-looking pores. 

3. Improves Skin's Texture and Tone

With its skin smoothing properties and antioxidants, horsetail will help improve the skin’s overall texture and tone. You’ll notice fewer imperfections in your skin and feel more hydrated because of all the vitamins and mineral content of horsetail extract. Get ready for the softest and most perfect-looking skin of your life. 

4. Works Gently on Sensitive Skin

The good news is that if you have sensitive skin, you will be able to tolerate horsetail in skincare products. It’s very gentle on the skin, reduces redness and irritation, and can even calm down areas of stress in the skin. For those with rosacea or other sensitivity issues, it can be hard to find ingredients that treat skin irritation. Horsetail is one that, according to the Skin Ratings of the EWG, is not known to have allergen or immunotoxicity problems. 

5. Protects Against Free Radicals

Free radicals in the environment can age and damage the skin. The natural antioxidant properties of horsetail make it one that fights off environmental damage. It’s also a natural source of so many vitamins, including calcium, vitamin C, and thiamine. Plus, the higher silicon content helps to contribute to the flexibility and resiliency of connective tissues for better-looking skin.  

Cosmedica Skincare Products with Horsetail Extract 

So now you are probably wondering, which of the Cosmedica Skincare products contains this amazing horsetail extract? Well, quite a few actually! Here are several that you can add to your daily skincare routine. On the ingredient label of each product, it will look exactly like this: Equisetum Arvense Extract (Horsetail).

1. Vitamin C Facial Cleanser 

Our Cosmedica Skincare Vitamin C Facial Cleanser is the first step in your routine that uses horsetail extract as an active ingredient. This is a brightening and antioxidant-rich cleanser that is great for any skin type. It removes impurities and gets your skin ready for the rest of your skincare routine. Plus, horsetail extract is one of the ingredients that will help ward off environmental damage that can age the skin prematurely. 

2. 2.5% Glycolic Facial Scrub

Ready for a double whammy of exfoliation power? It’s here with the 2.5 % Glycolic Facial Scrub, which has chemical and manual exfoliation benefits. Don’t worry, it’s a gentle scrub that will remove dead skin cells for a bright and radiant complexion. Use this scrub at least two to three times per week for best results.  

3. Hyaluronic Dew Multi-Mask

The Hyaluronic Dew Multi-Mask is one of our newest innovations. It’s loaded with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid for a more dewy and glowing surface texture. It soothes dry spots and dull skin with the power to help restore the skin’s protective barrier. Use it as an overnight mask while you sleep or during the daytime for a little extra self-care hydration. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then just rinse off. 

4. Advanced 2.5% Retinol Serum 

Serums are one of your best steps to make real improvements in your skin. This Advanced 2.5 % Retinol Serum is a powerhouse in promoting cellular regeneration for an increase in collagen production. You’ll notice fewer lines and wrinkles, improved texture, and more plumped-up skin, since this serum also contains beneficial hyaluronic acid. 

5. Multi-Active Hydrating Night Cream

Using a night cream can be one of the fastest ways to improve the quality of your skin, especially if it’s dry and dehydrated. The Multi-Active Hydrating Night Cream is one of the best for total skin renewal. It uses alpha-hydroxy acids to improve the texture of the skin, but soothes with botanical ingredients, like horsetail extract, for a rejuvenated complexion.

6. 2.5% Retinol Facial Night Cream

Another night cream that uses horsetail extract is the 2.5 % Retinol Facial Night Cream. For skin that is experiencing fine lines and wrinkles, this moisturizer will help increase cell turnover for smoother skin. 

7. Super Nutrient Face Balm

A day cream that contains horsetail extract, rosehip seed oil, and vitamin C that totally brightens the skin is our Super Nutrient Facial Balm. That’s just the start of what this moisturizer can do. It deeply penetrates for deep-down hydrating and anti-aging benefits. 

Now that you know all about horsetail extract in skincare, are you ready to explore exactly what it can do for your skin? Find out what beneficial effects horsetail can have for you. Start your journey to healthier, more beautiful skin with Cosmedica Skincare’s cruelty-free, vegan skincare products.