Stone care skin care products are Eminence Organics Classic for a good reason. From our award-winning Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer the best-selling Hydrating mist of stone cultureSkin care fanatics can always find a spot on their bathroom shelf for these perennial favorites that moisturize and brighten the appearance of age spots. Learn how this stone-harvested 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 even grow on its own on rocks. With its shallow root system, it requires very little soil or water to thrive. This sturdy succulent plant is best in a temperate, arid environment, but with a little care can survive almost anywhere. A fantastic use for the stone plant? It's great for Green roofs because they are easy to grow, do not attract pests and are disease resistant.
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How we use Stone Crop
To make our stone harvest products, the plant is processed by hand from start to finish. We handpick each stone crop, cut into quarters, then squeeze out the fresh sap, which 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 Made In Hungary video to see how our stone plants are picked and sorted, hand cut and pressed into our farm fresh produce.
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 indoors before the first cold snap!
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Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer
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Stone fruit mask
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Advantages of stone cultures
Like other succulents (think aloe vera and prickly pear), stone plant provides extremely effective, yet easy, hydration. As President of Eminence Organics Boldijarre Koronczay DAYSPA explains: “The stone plant not only helps reduce pigmentation and (lighten) the complexion, it also helps tighten stressed skin, tighten the epidermis, moisturize, reduce signs of aging and soothe sensitive skin. Here are some stone harvesting benefits for your 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 has to use the water to grow.
1. Heals dry skin
Like other succulents, stone harvesting has adapted to an arid environment by retaining large amounts of water in the stem and leaves. Our General Manager, Attila Koronczay, Says Dermstore, “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 has to use the water to grow. “This water retention capacity enables stone plants to deeply hydrate and heal dry and dehydrated skin.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Stone plant has been used in folk medicine for centuries for its anti-inflammatory properties. The bruised leaves of the fresh plant or the sap collected from its leaves have traditionally been used as a poultice to treat a variety of skin problems including burns, eczema, and ulcers. This ability to reduce inflammation makes Stone Harvest 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 has gone into overdrive and is producing melanin. This is often due to stress such as UV radiation or hormonal imbalances. Similar to other natural hydroquinone alternatives, stone plant brightens the skin by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for producing melanin. This will minimize the appearance of dark spots over time and help create 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 anthocyanins 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 longer.
Skin-saving succulents
Who better to recommend options from our Stone Crop Collection than Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer? Natalie Pergar? Check out 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 I welcome you to another of our wonderful episodes of In The Mix. Really excited when this hit my plate because I really wanted to talk about this amazing, amazing plant stone harvest.
It is a succulent. It's incredible. And it's been around for a very long time. Some of us may even realize it. It might even grow right in front of your house. We see succulents being widely 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 signature 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 tagline that we use, "When in doubt, cut it out of stone" and for good reason. It's good for all skin types; Anyone can use it.
Gentlemen, who I know, also like to use it because it is very fresh in the scent – not very floral – and is therefore very friendly to everyone. Harvesting stones 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 skin after shaving.
Product recommendations
(The Stone Crop Collection includes) 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 about the Stone Crop Collection is that you have the option of using a nice lightweight gel to finish off your home care routine, or you can use a cream. Whether you are an oily combo or a combo to dry off, this is a really great piece to show off a collection to your friends, family, or yourself.
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Stone Crop Gel Wash
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Stone Crop Hydrating Gel
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Please also note these products: Stone fruit mask, Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer
A newer addition is there Stone Crop Cleansing Oil from our microgreens collection. Any of you who use cleansing oils will know that they are great for double cleansing, an incredibly valuable technique for your makeup gurus as it really helps lift everything up and peel it off. This cleansing oil is also very effective for those of you dealing with problem skin. Don't forget: oil for oil. Just because you have oilier skin type doesn't mean you can't use cleansing oils. This will leave the face beautifully in the tone afterwards too, so I know you will love this one.
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Stone fruit cleaning oil
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We also added Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant in this collection that 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 up with a few shakes and some water. This really helps with skin that has milia, blackheads and congestion.
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Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant
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Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
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The only product I can't live without, to be honest, is ours Hydrating mist of stone culture. Anyone of you who love mineral makeup or powder will find this mist super brilliant as a setting spray. It doesn't leave a dry residue and doesn't make the skin look particularly moist – it just keeps it very hydrated. It is my companion for sports bags. It's what refreshes me all day. It smells amazing and doesn't annoy anyone sitting next to you. As I said, if in doubt it will be cut out of stone!
We also have other stone harvest products, including Stone Crop Body Lotion. This gorgeous succulent really has a lot going for it and it inspired one of the most special lines that we have.
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Hydrating mist of stone culture
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Stone Crop Body Lotion
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If you're already a fan of our signature stone plant ingredient, you can upgrade your body care ritual with the Stone Crop Body Collection. Experience it with your preferred Eminence Organics spa partner. Given current events, we recommend checking instructions from local health authorities before planning your visit.
This post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.