Continuing our top 5 from last week, the next hip skin care herb on our list is marshmallow.

Marshmallow, not to be confused with everyone’s favourite SMORES ingredient, relieves and heals dry, chapped skin. It is also said to deactivate a stress-triggered enzyme that stimulates excess oil production, which can lead to breakouts. Also, while not particularly relevant in this discussion, marshmallow is said to increase the flow of breast milk, soothe the bronchial tubes, as well as treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, amongst many other uses.

One use that we hadn’t seen until we stumbled across the product itself, is in Dr. Hauschka’s Conditioner with Jojoba and Marshmallow. In hair conditioner, Dr. Hauschka states that as marshmallow is rich in mucilage, a humectant plant carbohydrate able to attract and hold water, it’s extract hydrates and stimulates the moisture balance within the skin. Mucilaginous plants like marshmallow are non-oily emollients (skin softeners) that promote healing of wounds, skin irritations and burns. Marsh mallow softens dry skin and promotes flexibility and resilience of connective tissues.