Portuguese Thermal Waters and Plant Extracts for Cosmetic Applications: a Natural Combination

Synopsis

In light with the increasing sustainability concerns of today’s society, consumers have shifted their consumption patterns, and natural and sustainable ingredients have gained the spotlight of consumers’ preferences regarding their choice for cosmetics.
Thermal waters, highly rich in mineral content, are natural ingredients that present several advantages for skin health, being their use in cosmetics vastly spread. Portugal is one of the richest European countries regarding thermal water resources, with a wide offer of chemical profiles that can be tailored to specific skin needs. On the other hand, plant extracts and preparations as essential oils, hydrolates and others, are associated with a vast range of skin benefits that abridge anti-aging, anti-microbial and skin repairing properties. The use of selected species can also promote circular economy by using up-cycling ingredients from waste generated by different industries.
Results from the combination of these two natural resources, to be presented at the upcoming Cosmetorium in Barcelona, show the alliance from the previous reported benefits of Portuguese thermal waters, with specific target benefits obtained with plant extracts. The combination of these resources presents a natural response to a growing trend towards natural and sustainable ingredients, while offering consumers an effective solution for their needs.