Product Review: Herbario Butterfly Pea Serum
I enjoyed butterfly pea tea in Vietnam. It was very refreshing, had a mild flavor, and was full of antioxidants. I appreciated the break from the caffeinated coconut coffee and sugary fruit shakes. Then, I came across a wonderful butterfly pea serum to add to my nighttime routine while I was exploring Hội An.
Butterfly pea tea has so many health benefits. It can lift your mood and reduce anxiety. It is a tropical legume known as Asian Pigeon Wings or hoa đậu biếc in Vietnamese. The plant is native to Asia and has beautiful deep blue flowers. India uses the herb in Ayurvedic medicine, and there is much mythology behind the plant.
Hội An, located an hour south of Da Nang, is famous for its textiles, Cao lầu noodles, and full moon lantern celebrations on the Thu Bồn river. While resting at a riverside guest house, I looked for beauty shops to add to my Vietnam Beauty Travel Shop & Buy List.
NIGHT SERUM FOR PRO-AGING
Herbario is a Vietnamese brand. It makes beauty products for skin and hair using vegan and regional plants and herbs. The serum packaging is lovely. It comes in a frosted glass bottle with a white dropper. Its white label features a delicate blue design of a butterfly pea plant. The serum is reef-safe and free of alcohol, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, oils, and silicones.
Noteworthy ingredients:
- butterfly pea flower extract
- glycerin
- lavender oil
- vitamin B3 (a.k.a. niacinamide)
- lactic acid (AHA, alpha hydroxy acid)
THE EXTRACT
There are powerful bioactives in butterfly pea flower that benefit the skin and hair. This applies to the consumption or topical application of the herb.
This extract is high in flavonoids such as anthocyanins that act as antioxidants. These antioxidants are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and free radical-fighting to combat oxidative stress.
Like blue spirulina, butterfly pea is blue. It has the pigment-protein phycocyanin. This strong and bright color lends itself well to use as a natural dye. When you add lemon or other acids to the tea, it evolves into a bright violet or pink. The Herbario butterfly pea serum is blue in the online images, but the bottle I bought was clear.
THE PROMISES
Herbario’s serum uses butterfly pea flower extract to moisturize and boost collagen. The serum enhances skin elasticity. It also reduces signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. The antioxidants protect and repair the skin barrier and soothe redness and itchiness.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I found my complexion to be brighter and smoother after use. This serum has a soft and silky feel that becomes a little tacky after application. I use it on my face before bed with a toner first and a moisturizer after, and it balances everything out. Yes, I recommend the butterfly pea serum—and a cup of tea—for its healing ingredients. I look forward to a chance to try more of the Herbario line.
Stay tuned for Orange Cake Makeover’s Vietnam Beauty Travel Shop & Buy List. It will have tips on where to find plant-focused beauty on a budget while traveling in Vietnam.
