| Name | Manjistha |
| INCI Name | Rubia cordifolia |
This is a climbing plant native to the Indian subcontinent. The roots of Manjistha are particularly valued for their active compounds, including glycosides, anthraquinones, and tannins, which contribute to its beneficial effects on the skin. These components help inhibit melanin production, the pigment responsible for skin darkening, leading to a brighter and more even complexion.
What is Manjistha?Manjistha (pronounced Man-jeesh-tha) or Indian Madder. It's a fascinating perennial climbing herb that's native to India and parts of Southeast Asia. For centuries, Rubia cordifolia has been a cornerstone in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. It's highly revered for its blood-purifying and detoxifying properties. In Ayurveda, it's believed that many skin conditions stem from internal imbalances, and Manjistha helps clear these imbalances from within.
The most striking feature of Rubia cordifolia is its vibrant red roots. This is where many of its powerful properties, and even its traditional use as a natural dye, come from!
For skincare applications, the primary and most valuable part of Rubia cordifolia used is its roots. These are the parts that contain the highest concentration of the active compounds like anthraquinones, which give it its characteristic red color and its powerful skin-benefiting properties. While some minor uses of leaves and seeds might exist in other contexts, for significant skincare benefits, it's almost exclusively the root.
The most common form is an extract from the roots, which concentrates the beneficial compounds. This extract can be water-based, oil-based, or powdered. The dried and powdered root is also directly used, especially in traditional Ayurvedic formulations.
What does Manjistha do to your skin?Manjistha is widely recognized for its skin brightening abilities. It can also inhibit tyrosinase activity, an enzyme crucial for melanin formation. It effectively fades dark spots, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Found in WHITE SLATEFound in Manjistha Moisturiser, it primarily brightens skin by inhibiting melanin production and fading dark spots, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
