Mugwort: Everything You Need To Know About The K-Beauty Ingredient

Have you heard of Mugwort? The trendy K-beauty ingredient has become a popular staple in recent years, and for good reason. 

It sounds more like something from Harry Potter, but Mugwort (or Artemisia), which is from the genus Artemisia Vulgaris, is a very versatile and aromatic perennial herb. 

What Is Mugwort?

Mugwort has been used in traditional medicine, culinary art, and it has even been used in beauty products throughout history. 

It’s native to Europe, Asia as well as Africa, but now also grows in North America, and the various parts of the plant has been, and is still used today, to make medicine, flavor drinks, sprinkled in various meats and fish and is even used to repel insects, (moths in particular).

In oral medicine, Mugwort has been used in traditional Chinese, Hindu and European medicine for gastrointestinal and gynecological problems and other problems like anxiety, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, arthritis, gout, insomnia, congestion and used in some other respiratory therapies. 

Topically, in conjunction with other ingredients, Mugwort can be used on hypertrophic scars that are a result of burn injuries. There have been many different applications of Mugwort due to its abundant chemical composition, which includes essential oils, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, sesquiterpene lactones and other groups of metabolites. 

What are the Skincare Benefits of Mugwort?

Not only does Mugwort treat medical conditions, but it’s also very popular in the use of skincare. Although further studies need to be made on the effectiveness of Mugwort to help solidify the numerous claims made about this amazing herb, there is plenty of evidence showing how promising it is for many applications to add to healthy skin.

We can easily see why Mugwort has been known as “The mother of all herbs” since the Middle Ages!

1. Anti-inflammatory

Mugwort also has many anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Used as a salve, cream or essential oil blend, various formulations can be applied to aid in conditions such as the healing of bruises, minor cuts and skin irritations. 

As a tea mixture, the anti-inflammatory properties of Mugwort can help reduce skin inflammation and redness from within the body, where many conditions can stem from. 

Here are some of the compounds found in the makeup of Mugwort that contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects: 

• Thujone

• 8-Cineole

• Camphor

• Borneol

• Quercetin

• Coumarin 

• Santonin

• Beta-Caryophyllene

• Triterpenoids. 

These active compounds have very good anti-inflammatory properties on their own, and when combined in a single source, make a powerful treatment for many conditions.

2. Ideal for Sensitive Skin

The many antioxidant properties found in Mugwort can make it an excellent choice to add to your skincare product cart. Whether it’s coming from within the body, or from outside influences such as UV rays, heat, dust, weather conditions or other skin-damaging free radicals, adding Mugwort to your daily routine can be very beneficial. Some biologists believe that Mugwort, in a fermented form, combined with B. methylotrophicus and B.subtilis 

3. Antioxidant Rich

Along with anti-inflammatory and other soothing ingredients, Mugwort is packed with many antioxidant properties, which fight those nasty free radicals. 

Antioxidants are key to aiding in the combat to maintain healthy skin, repair damaged skin, or even reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Antioxidants work like a protective shield that prevents small and harmful molecules or atoms (which are free radicals) from breaking down the skin’s collagen layer, which happens over time. 

Because of being an abundant source of antioxidants, Mugwort can sometimes be even more effective than ascorbic acid or vitamin C in giving the skin a healthier, brighter and refreshed look and feel. From tackling sensitive skin to redness, wrinkles and even scar tissue, Mugwort can be quite helpful in the nourishment of the skin barrier.

Some biologists from the ‘Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal’ (KSBBJ) believe that Mugwort, in a fermented form combined with B. methylotrophicus and B.subtilis, can be a treatment for its anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects. 

Some of the contributing factors to aging and wrinkles can be from environmental factors, psychological stress and even hormonal changes. Experiments conducted by members of the KSBBJ showed positive effects in cell barrier formation, cell regeneration, wound healing, collagen synthesis and wrinkle improvement.

4. Naturally Antifungal and Antibacterial 

Mugwort's natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, which include camphor, pinene, and cineole, make it an amazing natural skin care product to help with visible conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. These conditions can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, and with more and more people looking for non-pharmaceutical options, Mugwort is becoming a very popular alternative. 

Is Mugwort Safe for Acne-Prone Skin?

Because of the many naturally occurring antifungal and antibacterial properties found in Mugwort, it can be a safe product to use on acne-prone skin. As with all products, care should be taken to be sure that negative reactions do not occur. Follow directions as listed on each individual product. 

Some of Our Favourite Mugwort K-Beauty Products 

Korean dermatologists have increasingly been expanding on the benefits of Mugwort for skin care, and it’s catching on worldwide. 

As a skincare product, Mugwort is beginning to become very popular in the healthcare market. 

As a cream or essence, it can help to soothe conditions such as angry reactions to the skin, calm irritations and redness and even help treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne. It could be used to temporarily hydrate and protect the skin when used as a gentle anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial skin wash or even a leave-on mask. 

A Mugwort treatment could help lessen the angry effects of skin irritations, itching or flushing. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, Mugwort can be an effective cleanser for the skin, helping to remove impurities, which is very beneficial to those dealing with acne or clogged pores, among other conditions.

Many mugwort products are coming to the K-beauty market, but some of the best are available at Healthy Planet!