Rainforests are known to be a source of many natural and potent ingredients that can offer a wide range of benefits for the skin. The climate in the rainforest is typically hot with a high level of humidity throughout the year. This constant moisture and warm temperature creates an ideal environment for lush and diverse vegetation.

The use of rainforest ingredients for skin concerns can be traced back to ancient times, when peoples in the Amazon rainforest would use plant-based remedies to treat everything from scarring to redness, irritation, bacteria and more! This is due to their richness in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins, all of which are magical for the skin.

At JustUs Skincare we believe there is beauty and strength in pairing these natural powerhouse ingredients with those born out of the lab. We use dozens (or more!) of different rainforest butters and oils, but here are a few of our favorite rainforest plants that can be found across the product line. 

Lets take a deep dive into:

Buriti oil   -- an all-time favorite of ours to use in a day balm or serum.  It offers 8% UV protection which isn’t nothing. It’s super dark orange, so it isn’t a perfect choice on its own unless it’s softened with lighter-colored oils.  The oil comes from the fruit of the buriti tree, which grows in the Amazon rainforest.  It is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it a highly beneficial ingredient for skincare.

A natural oil derived from the nuts of the buriti fruit, which is native to the Amazon rainforest, it has been used for centuries for both medicinal and cosmetic properties and has been shown to be especially beneficial for those with dry, aging, or sensitive skin

The oil itself is rich in essential fatty acids, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid, and vitamin E. It is chock full of beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage and prevent premature aging. The vitamin E helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Here are some of its benefits:

1. Moisturizing: Buriti oil is highly moisturizing and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin texture and softness.
2. Sun Protection: Buriti oil has a natural SPF of up to 8, making it a great natural ingredient for sun protection. It helps to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and prevent sun damage.
3. Anti-Inflammatory: It’s anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is especially effective for those with sensitive skin.
4. Brightening: Buriti oil helps to brighten the skin and improve skin tone. It contains high levels of vitamin C, which is a natural skin brightener and helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Tamanu oil (ours is from Madagascar) is called green gold for a reason.  By itself, it helps ease so many situations our skin encounters.  Whether it’s flaking feet or skin that needs an elasticity boost, this natural oil works super hard to heal. Derived from the nuts of the tamanu tree, which is native to Southeast Asia and Polynesia, it is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds and is especially good for those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Tamanu has been found to be:

1. Moisturizing: Tamanu oil is highly moisturizing and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin texture and softness.
2. Anti-Inflammatory: Tamanu oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is especially effective for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
3. Anti-Bacterial: It’s natural antibacterial properties that help to kill bacteria on the skin and prevent breakouts.
4. Wound Healing: Tamanu oil has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. It helps to promote cell regeneration and improve the appearance of scars and blemishes.
5. Anti-Aging: Tamanu oil is rich in antioxidants that help to protect the skin from free radical damage and prevent premature aging. It also helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Bacuri butter.  It looks like mud and something a two-year old would like to play with, but its looks are deceiving. The dark brown, crumbly butter isn’t pretty but it works on bringing out beauty like a workhorse. It is a natural butter derived from the seeds of the bacuri fruit. It is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it a highly beneficial ingredient for dry, sensitive, or aging skin. 

Bacuri butter has been shown to be:

1. Moisturizing: Bacuri butter is highly moisturizing and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin texture and softness.
2. Anti-Inflammatory: Bacuri butter has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is especially effective for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
3. Antioxidant: Bacuri butter is rich in antioxidants that help to protect the skin from free radical damage and prevent premature aging. It also helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Wound Healing: Bacuri butter has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. It helps to promote cell regeneration and improve the appearance of scars and blemishes.
5. Anti-Microbial: Bacuri butter has natural anti-microbial properties that help to kill bacteria on the skin and prevent breakouts.

Bakuchiol looks like molasses or something that could live on top of vanilla ice cream. When we discovered bakuchiol and its properties we were yippy skippy as it’s not everyday that one is presented with a plant-derived alternative to retinol.  (A synthetic vitamin A derivative that is commonly used in skincare for its anti-aging benefits). Bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, which is native to India and China. It is especially good for those looking for a natural alternative to retinol or for those with sensitive skin. We also often love the pairing of bakuchiol and retinol together!

Bakuchiol has been shown to be:

1. Anti-Aging: Bakuchiol helps to stimulate collagen production and promote cell turnover, resulting in smoother, more even-toned skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
2. Moisturizing: Bakuchiol is highly moisturizing and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin texture and softness.
3. Anti-Inflammatory: Bakuchiol has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is especially effective for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
4. Antioxidant: Bakuchiol is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental pollutants. It also helps to brighten the skin and improve skin texture.
5. Gentle: Unlike retinol, which can cause skin irritation and sensitivity, bakuchiol is gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types.

Neroli. Calm, passionate, and antiinflammatory, Neroli is everything you might hope for in a lover.  Sadly, Neroli is not human.  The good news though is that it is a highly beneficial ingredient for skincare, especially for those with dry, sensitive, or aging skin. It is an oil that is extracted from the flowers of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium), derived through a process of steam distillation and is known for its sweet, floral, and citrusy aroma. 

Neroli oil has been used for centuries in aromatherapy and skincare as it contains several chemical compounds, including linalool, linalyl acetate, and limonene, which are responsible for its therapeutic properties.

Neroli has been shown to have many benefits for the skin, including:

1. Anti-Aging: Neroli helps to stimulate cell regeneration and improve skin elasticity, which can help to reduce the signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Moisturizing: Neroli is highly moisturizing and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin texture and softness.
3. Anti-Inflammatory: Neroli has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is especially effective for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
4. Antioxidant: Neroli is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental pollutants.
5. Brightening: Neroli helps to brighten the skin and improve skin tone. It contains natural chemicals that help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
6. Relaxing: Neroli has a calming and relaxing effect on the skin (and can help to reduce stress and anxiety).

A few other favorites include:

1. Acai Oil: Acai berries are packed with antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from free radical damage and premature aging.
2. Cupuacu Butter: Cupuacu butter is a highly moisturizing ingredient that helps to soothe and hydrate the skin. It is also rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Camu Camu: Camu Camu is a superfruit that is rich in Vitamin C, which helps to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Dragon's Blood: Dragon's Blood is a sap that is harvested from the Croton Lechleri tree in the Amazon rainforest. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is often used in skincare products to help soothe and heal the skin.
5. Maracuja Oil: Maracuja oil is extracted from the passionfruit plant and is rich in essential fatty acids. It helps to hydrate the skin and improve skin elasticity.
6. Sacha Inchi Oil: Sacha Inchi oil is a highly moisturizing ingredient that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to nourish and protect the skin.
7. Andiroba Oil: Andiroba oil is a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is also rich in essential fatty acids, which help to moisturize and protect the skin.
8.  Passionfruit Seed Oil - This oil is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it an excellent oil for protecting the skin from environmental damage and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also known for its light texture, making it an excellent oil for oily and combination skin.
9. Ucuuba Butter - This rainforest butter is rich in fatty acids and has natural antibacterial properties, making it ideal for treating blemishes and acne-prone skin. It is also known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties, making it an excellent butter for dry and mature skin.