Stone care skin care products are Eminence Organics Classics for a good reason. From our award-winning Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer the best-selling Hydrogenating fog of stone cultureSkincare fanatics will always find a place on their bathroom shelves for these perennial favorites that moisturize and brighten the appearance of age spots. Learn how this stone harvest ingredient can soothe dry skin and minimize the visible signs of aging to improve your complexion.
What is stone culture?
Stone plant is a small, succulent plant that is common in Hungary, and its name literally means "a harvest grown in stone". This unique plant can thrive in rocky soils and can even grow on rocks alone. With its flat root system, it needs very little soil or water to thrive. This robust succulent works best in a temperate, dry environment, but can survive almost anywhere with a little care. A fantastic application for the stone plant? It is ideal for Green roofs because they are easy to grow, do not attract pests and are resistant to diseases.
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How we use stone crop
The plant is processed by hand from start to finish to produce our stone harvesting products. We pick each stone harvest by hand, cut it into quarters and then squeeze out the fresh juice that retains all of the plant's natural moisturizing properties.
Another processing method we use is drying and pulverizing the succulent into powder before mixing it into a skin care product. Watch our video Made In Hungary to see how our stone crops are picked and sorted, cut by hand and pressed into our farm fresh products.
Interesting fact: the stone plant turns red in cold weather. To ensure that products like our Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer and Stone Crop Masque keep their bright green color, we plant our stone plants in bowls and bring them into the house before the first cold snap!
Advantages of stone cultures
Like other succulents (think of aloe vera and prickly pear), stone plants offer an extremely effective, yet easy hydration. As President of Eminence Organics Boldijarre Koronczay DAYSPA explains: “The stone plant not only helps to reduce pigmentation and lighten the complexion, but also helps to tighten stressed skin, tighten the epidermis, moisturize, reduce signs of aging and soothe sensitive skin. Here are some benefits of stone harvesting for your skin.
1. Heals dry skin
Like other succulents (think aloe vera and prickly pear), the stone plant has adapted to a dry environment by retaining large amounts of water in the stem and leaves. Our general manager Attila Koronczay Dermstore says: “Most succulents have a very shallow root system that relies on rain, fog, or dew to provide all of the water needed to thrive. The shape of the stone harvest directs water to the center of the plant, where it is stored until the plant needs to use the water to grow. “This water storage capacity enables stone plants to deeply hydrate and heal dry and dehydrated skin.
Most succulents have a very shallow root system that relies on rain, fog, or dew to provide all of the water needed to thrive. The shape of the stone harvest directs water to the center of the plant, where it is stored until the plant needs to use the water to grow.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Stone plant has been used in folk medicine for centuries because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The bruised leaves of the fresh plant or the juice collected from their leaves have traditionally been used as an envelope to treat a variety of skin problems, including burns, eczema and ulcers. This ability to reduce inflammation makes stone harvesting an ideal remedy for uncomfortable symptoms of dry, sensitive skin such as redness and itching.
3. Brightens the skin
When dark spots appear on your complexion, your skin is in full swing and producing melanin. This is often due to stress such as UV radiation or hormonal imbalances. Similar to other natural hydroquinone alternatives, stone plants brighten the skin by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production. Over time, this will minimize the appearance of dark spots and contribute to a more even complexion.
4. Smoothes wrinkles
Scientific studies confirm that stone plants are rich in antioxidants that reduce the visible signs of aging. Antioxidants such as anthocyanin and quercetin neutralize free radicals that oxidatively damage the skin and contribute to premature aging over time. By minimizing potential damage, these antioxidants delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help the skin stay youthful for longer.
Succulents that are gentle on the skin
Who better to recommend options from our Stone Crop Collection than Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer? Natalie Pergar? Watch the full In The Mix video below and read Natalie's advice on using stone harvesting products.
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Video transcription
Hello! I'm Natalie from Eminence Organic Skin Care and welcome to another of our wonderful episodes of In The Mix. Really excited when this came onto my plate because I really wanted to talk about this amazing, amazing vegetable stone harvest.
It is a succulent. It's incredible. And it has been around for a long time. Some of us may even recognize it. It may even grow right in front of your house. We see that succulents are often used for things like green design to improve our environment, and it was an inspiration for us at Eminence to use them as one of our characteristic fragrances and ingredients. We have built a whole range that is inspired by this plant and is called our Stone Crop Collection.
When in doubt – Stone Crop It Out
… At Eminence Organics we have this fabulous little slogan that we use: "If in doubt, cut it out of stone" and for good reason. It is good for all skin types; Anyone can use it.
Gentlemen who I know also like to use it because it has a very fresh scent – not very floral – and is therefore very friendly for everyone. Stone harvesting also helps minimize the appearance of redness from dry skin. So if you think of men who shave their face frequently, our stone harvesting products are great for soothing the skin after shaving.
Product recommendations
(The Stone Crop Collection contains) Stone Crop Gel Wash – a top ten product, Stone Crop Masque, Stone Crop Hydrating Gel and Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer. One of my favorite parts of the Stone Crop Collection is that you have the option of using a nice light gel to finish your home care, or you can use a cream. Whether you're an oily combination or a combination to dry, this is a really great piece to showcase to your friends, family, or yourself.
A newer addition is Stone Crop Cleansing Oil from our Microgreens collection. Anyone of you who uses cleansing oils will know that they are great for double cleaning, an incredibly valuable technique for your makeup gurus, as they really help lift and pull everything off. This cleansing oil is also very effective for those of you who have problem skin. Don't forget: oil for oil, just because you have a greasier skin type doesn't mean you can't use cleansing oils. This will also leave the face beautiful in tone afterwards, so I know that you will love this.
We have also added Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant in this collection, which is like the sister or brother of our Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. Take any detergent – you can even use Stone Crop Cleansing Oil or Stone Crop Gel Wash – and shake it with a few shakes and a little water. This really helps with skin where milia, blackheads and congestion occur.
The only product I can't live without, to be honest, is ours Hydrogenating fog of stone culture. Any of you who love mineral makeup or powder, this mist is super brilliant as a fixative spray. It leaves no dry residue and does not make the skin look particularly moist – it is very hydrated. It is my companion for sports bags. It is what refreshes me all day. It smells incredible and it doesn't annoy anyone sitting next to you. As said, in case of doubt it will be cut out of stone!
We also have other stone harvesting products, including Stone Crop Body Lotion. This beautiful succulent plant really has a lot to offer and has inspired one of the special lines that we have.
If you're already a fan of our signature stone plant ingredient, you can improve your personal care ritual with the new Stone Crop Body Collection. Experience it at a nearby Eminence Organics Partner Spa.