Foxberry goes by many different names, with Uva Ursi and Bearberry being two you might find it listed as. Used increasingly in skincare for its incredibly effective results on hyperpigmentation, this is a great ingredient to look for if you have stubborn pigmentation you’d like to lighten, or if you just want to refine and enhance your general skin tone.
THE HISTORY: Foxberry is a small, low growing evergreen shrub native to much of the Arctic and Subarctic regions of Europe and Scandinavia. The bush’s bright red berries contain compounds which are antibacterial, antioxidant-rich, and potentially sun protective. It has been used in folk medicine on both sides of the Atlantic as a treatment for a variety of internal complaints, but today we’re focusing on how Foxberry can help your quest for a more even, luminous skin tone.
THE BENEFITS: Containing the compound Arbutin, made most famous by its penchant for lightening the skin, Foxberry powder in organic and natural skincare formulas is a potent source of this powerful skin aid. Believed to prevent the overproduction of tyrosinanse, which in turn slows the production of melanin, use of products containing Foxberry may mean fewer new pigmentation spots for your skin, and a gradual fading of those already present.* Keep on the look out for it if you have age spots, sun spots, or melasma. This natural lightening and brightening agent also has a host of antioxidants to protect skin, and also helps to refine pore size through gentle astringency. Even better, Foxberry isn’t known to cause any sensitivity issues like some other lightening agents, from both natural and synthetic origins.
THE PRODUCTS: You can find Foxberry in the Nourish Skin Range Radiance products…
- Radiance Purifying Cleanser – is a light creamy cleanser to remove makeup and pollution with foxberry and rose for a glowing, clean complexion.
- Radiance Refreshing Toning Mist – is a hydrating mist featuring Foxberry and rose absolute to tone and preserve luminosity, while preparing the skin for deeper nourishment.
- Radiance Brightening Moisturiser – is a hydrating natural face cream using Tonka Bean extract to brighten the skin and refine pores.
- Radiance Rejuvenating Peptide Serum – an anti-ageing serum to boost collagen production and enhance luminosity with Foxberry and Tonka Bean Extract.
Foxberry has the potential to be a powerful ally in both repairing the damage that comes after sun exposure and preventing further hyperpigmentation from appearing. But no effective lightening product should be used without sun protection. If you’re outside often during the day, or tend to not wear sunscreen as often as you should, this little berry might just be your best friend due to the high level of protecting anti-oxidants.
*Matsuda H, Nakamura S, Shiomoto H, Tanaka T, Kubo M. [Pharmacological studie on leaf of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. IV. Effect of 50% methanolic extract from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. (bearberry leaf) on melanin synthesis]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 1992 Apr;112(4):276-82. Japanese. PubMed PMID: 1403661.
