The Latest Plant-Based Beauty Trend? Moss, Moss, and More Moss

Moss is a huge floral design and decor trend these days, but what about putting it on your skin? Several big natural beauty brands, from NYC-based Naturopathica to Korean Skincare line K-Beauty, have started featuring the lichenous staple in their personal care products, and with good reason: moss contains 15 of the 18 essential nutrients that make up our bodies, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Several natural beauty brands have started featuring moss in their personal care products, and with good reason: the lichenous staple contains 15 of the 18 essential nutrients that make up the human body.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B01H619LGO” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Naturopathica’s Moss Blemish Treatment Mask[/easyazon_link] uses pore-refining moss extract to clean infected pores and reduce redness (in this particular formulation, it works synergistically with kaolin and bentonite clay to help absorb impurities and limit excess oil production while reducing shine). [easyazon_link identifier=”B00005REAQ” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Alba Botanical’s Natural Sea Moss SPF 15[/easyazon_link], meanwhile, helps guard against UV-A (aging) sunrays, and UV-B (burning) sunrays while French marine extracts add and help maintain skin’s hydration.

Even more esoteric healing ointments and sprays are copping the trend: House of Intuition, a Los Angeles-based herb, crystal, and incense shop, puts oakmoss in their signature “Fairy” spray. (Oakmoss, Evernia prunastri, is a form of lichen that grows primarily on the bases of oak trees.) This Fairy Organic Spray can then be used to “commune with elemental natural spirits of the forests and woods”, quoth the brand. “Connect your consciousness with the Mist Kingdom and feel inspired and empowered.”

We found a moisturizer made with bog myrtle, a distant cousin of traditional furry peat moss, at a farmers market in Scotland last year. Since that time, Cocokind has started offering an organic sea moss exfoliator.

Irish moss is often used to help rehydrate dry skin, as vitamins A, E, and K offer natural moisture-locking protection that can be used to combat eczema and psoriasis. Of course, no true skincare regiment would be complete without a consideration of what the skin metabolizes internally: Irish moss paste can be used as a natural thickener to enhance smoothies, soups, and desserts while acting as a skin-friendly complexion enhancer. Beauty on the inside and out– what more could you want?