China boasts abundant unique plant resources, and cosmetics using extracts from these plants as core ingredients have seen remarkable market performance in recent years. Today, we'll introduce eight oriental plant ingredients that have shone brightly in the cosmetics industry—covering anti-aging, whitening, and skin stabilization!

Anti-aging

Dendrobium officinale

Revered as a "life-saving herb," ​​it is unique to the high altitudes of Yunnan. Rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, and trace elements, it contains numerous beneficial active ingredients. Among them, Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides can promote collagen synthesis and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity, providing scientific support for anti-wrinkle and firming skincare products.

• ✓The domestic brand Plant Doctor, in collaboration with the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spent years conducting research to extract the active ingredient—Dendrobium oligosaccharides—from Yunnan's high-altitude Dendrobium officinale, which can promote the production of collagen by skin cells.

Ginseng

As a traditional and precious Chinese medicinal herb, hailed as the "King of Herbs," it contains a variety of active ingredients and is mainly produced in Changbai Mountain, Jilin Province. Many brands incorporate ginseng extract into skincare products, leveraging its effects such as promoting collagen synthesis to create anti-aging products.

• ✓Guyu brand has registered a rare cosmetic ingredient, ginsenoside CK. Research shows that 20-O-β-D-glucosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (GPPD), ginsenoside Rb1, the aglycone derivative of Rb1, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), and compound K (Compound K, CK) all have anti-wrinkle effects.

Ganoderma lucidum

A saprophytic fungus, it has been considered a "miracle herb" since ancient times. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides have antioxidant properties, promoting metabolism, repairing wrinkles, and scavenging free radicals.

• ✓Brands like Pien Tze Huang, Jenny Skin, and Oviyan have launched a series of flagship products using Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) as a raw material, which are highly favored by consumers.

Whitening Sector

Rhodiola Rosea

The dried roots and stems of Rhodiola Rosea are a traditional Tibetan medicine, known as "plateau ginseng." Rhodioloside is its main active ingredient, possessing various pharmacological activities.

• ✓Xiangyi Herbals has dedicated years to the research of Rhodiola Rosea, using rhodioloside as the key active ingredient to provide antioxidant, anti-glycation, and sun-damage repair benefits, building a defense line for the skin.

Peony

As a precious flower unique to China, peony not only has high ornamental value but also medicinal value. Studies have shown that peony petals contain phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which have excellent whitening and melanin-inhibiting effects; peony seed oil extracted from peony seeds contains active ingredients such as squalene and kaempferol, which can brighten skin tone and make skin supple; in addition, peony root bark also has significant antioxidant effects.

• ✓Huaxikou has established a 1600-acre pure peony planting base in Heze, the peony capital of China, and has independently developed the exclusive "Peony Super A Peptide" technology ingredient, possessing four major anti-aging functions: anti-oxidation, anti-glycation, anti-photodamage, and anti-dynamic wrinkle.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin

Cypripedium spp.

This is a plant unique to Yunnan that thrives against the cold. Its oil contains ceramide analogs.

• ✓Cypripedium spp. is a flagship ingredient of Winona, a product line under the Betterness Group. Cypripedium spp. oil is used in all Winona product lines. Cypripedium spp. polysaccharides are used in Winona's star product, the Special Care Cream, and Cypripedium spp. flavonoids are used in Winona's powerful anti-aging product line, the Silver Core Cream, aiming to redefine the anti-aging standard for sensitive skin.

Purslane

According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, it "clears heat and detoxifies," and also has diuretic, anti-swelling, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It is a common wild vegetable and traditional Chinese medicine, widely distributed throughout China.

• ✓Kong Fengchun, a domestic beauty brand, leverages its century-old technological expertise to focus on purslane extract, using it as a core ingredient in in-depth research to fully utilize its soothing and repairing effects.

Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, also known as tiger grass, horse hoof grass, and copper coin grass. Studies have shown that its extract can promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, playing a positive role in tissue regeneration, cell migration, and wound repair.

• ✓Many brands, including Runbaiyan, Yuze, Baiqueling, and Fu'erjia, have launched best-selling cosmetic products containing Centella Asiatica based on these effects, which have been well-received by the market.