What does the Rosmarinus officinalis (Salvia Rosmarinus) extract in Redmond Clay Cucumber Charcoal Mask do?

Research shows that Rosmarinus officinalis (aka rosemary) extract has a number of impressive therapeutic properties, including antioxidants.

Most of us think of rosemary as one of the fragrant herbs included in our favorite Italian seasoning mix and, while it does make breads, sauces, and other foods taste amazing, it also is a powerful therapeutic and prophylactic herb.

There has been an impressive amount of research focused on rosemary and a long list of science-based benefits linked to the various compounds it contains. Redmond Clay Cucumber Charcoal mask includes rosemary extract made from whole fresh rosemary leaves using supercritical CO2 extraction. We include rosemary extract in Redmond Charcoal Masks due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Skin health depends on a variety of factors—genes, diet, lifestyle (including stress!), contaminants in the air, and of course sun exposure. At the heart of some of these factors are “free radicals”—atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron. Free radicals want to find a partner for their unpaired electron(s) and go around trying to force other molecules and atoms, including those in your skin cells, to share their electrons, damaging or weakening DNA and other parts of the cell in the process. Antioxidants, such those found in rosemary extract, bind to free radicals and prevent or delay their efforts to bind to molecules in your cells.

In addition to containing powerful antioxidants, rosemary extract’s anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties are believed to help with healing and cleansing the skin.

Want to know more? The many articles, stories, and blog posts related to rosemary extract make it easy to fall into the internet rabbit hole. Here are a few of the research-based articles we found insightful: