Are you a fan of saffron rice? Sweet, nutty and the colour of sunshine, once you’ve had a bed of golden grains beneath your butter chicken there’s no going back.

But why are we banging on about Indian food? Is this a skincare blog or what?

Indeed it is. Turns out, the world’s most expensive (and delicious) spice can also make your skin luminous and it’s grown right here in Tasmania, in lush green Glaziers Bay!

Discover TasSaff Saffron

What is saffron?

Saffron is a rare and precious spice associated with Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine.

It’s actually the dried stigma (the little wiggly stem) of Crocus sativus, a plant in the iris family that flowers for just a few weeks per year.

With the steadiness of brain surgeons, harvesters pluck each stigma by hand from the centre of its beautiful mauve blooms – and it takes 150 of them to create just a single gram of saffron.

One gram can retail for upwards of $60, making saffron literally worth its weight in gold.

So yeah, it’s pretty special. And we love having its golden touch in our skincare.

What does Saffron do for your skin?

Saffron is an intense antioxidant, awash with vitamins and healing factors that mend and regenerate tissues – both inside the body and out.

It clears, calms, brightens and protects all skin types, and is especially great for people with sensitive skin because it’s so gentle and nourishing.

Saffron in Ayurveda

From an Ayurvedic perspective, saffron is a blood purifier that calms the mind, sharpens the memory, clears the liver and cools the constitution.

It’s considered a tonic for the whole body, with a particular affinity for skin, hair and face.

Topically, saffron is said to have a cooling and balancing effect, bringing the elements of water, earth, fire and air into harmony.

It’s renowned for clearing up acne, blackheads and congestion with its ultra-gentle antiseptic properties, and, with that vibrant hue, it’s said to restore the warm glow of health to tired, dull skin.

Why your skin loves saffron

It’s a powerful antioxidant

Saffron is in the skincare spotlight for its potent antioxidant properties. It’s loaded with compounds like crocin, crocetin, and safranal which help combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals. By neutralising these degenerative agents, saffron pushes back against premature ageing, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes a youthful bloom.

It brightens and evens out skin tone

Saffron’s vermillion pigments (carotenoids) act as natural skin brighteners that can help smooth out your skin tone and diminish the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. It contains vitamins and minerals that boost the skin’s circulation, bringing oxygenated blood to the surface for a healthy glow.

It’s anti-inflammatory and soothing

If you struggle with acne, eczema, or rosacea, saffron is your (super upscale) bestie. This golden spice possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties that can calm and soothe irritated skin. It aids in reducing redness, swelling, and blemishes too, allowing your skin to heal and even out.

It’s a natural exfoliant

Saffron can also serve as a gentle exfoliant, helping slough off dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, softer complexion. When combined with other natural ingredients like honey or milk, saffron is a winning exfoliator that buffs away impurities (and tastes delicious if you accidentally lick your face mask).

It hydrates and nourishes

Parched skin will soak up saffron’s hydrating factors. It nourishes the skin with essential vitamins (like vitamin C which boosts the production of collagen) while improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture, keeping it soft, supple and plump.

It’s an anti-ageing wonder

As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity and firmness. Saffron’s antioxidant profile combats these signs of ageing by boosting collagen production and fending off free radical damage. Regularly consorting with saffron can help minimise the appearance of sagging skin and fine lines, yielding a more youthful and toned complexion.

Take saffron for a spin in our soon-to be-launch Bioactive Leatherwood Honey Jelly Mask.

How ick is that feeling when the skin of your face is tight and tired, hot and bothered, more parched than an ultramarathon runner in the outback?

Perhaps you’ve been out in the beating sun or drying wind. Maybe you’ve got eczema, allergies or inflammation going on. It could be the slow march of time bringing fine lines, dullness and baggy eyes…

…whatever’s causing your skin to be downcast, our Bioactive Leatherwood Honey Jelly Mask (coming soon) provides an instant glow up.

This deeply hydrating treatment is like a big glass of sparkling water for dehydrated skin, featuring three kinds of hyaluronic acid and juicy Tasmanian ingredients such as blackcurrant bud extract, sea kelp, rainforest honey and our herbal golden child saffron.

After chillin’ with this jelly mask, your face will be brighter, plumper and more radiant than a merperson. Smooth, juicy, quenched.