There’s a kind of quiet beauty in the plants that do the deepest work—not with instant drama, but with steady, grounding support. Horse chestnut is one of those botanicals. Not flashy, not fleeting—just deeply, gently transformative.
When I set out to create our Apple Stem Cell Radiance Serum and Daily Radiance Cream, we weren’t just looking for ingredients that could soften or brighten the surface. We were searching for plants that could help rebuild the very foundation of healthy skin—especially the skin barrier, that delicate but powerful membrane that protects us from the outside world and keeps moisture where it belongs.
Because when your barrier is compromised—whether from over-exfoliation, stress, sun, or simply the passing of time—your skin can feel vulnerable, raw, reactive. It’s in these moments that true healing botanicals, like horse chestnut, really shine.
What Makes Horse Chestnut So Powerful?
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) seed extract is rich in aescin, a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties. But its healing potential doesn’t end there. What’s especially compelling is that modern research supports its topical benefits for skin health and inflammation.
A study published in MDPI Cosmetics found that a topical gel containing horse chestnut extract significantly reduced inflammation in treated areas—validating its traditional use as a soothing, circulation-supporting plant for the skin. (1)
In another study published by the Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University, researchers evaluated how well escin, the main active in horse chestnut, could penetrate the skin. Their findings confirmed not only good skin permeation, but also stability and suitability for topical application—important factors in ensuring the extract actually reaches the skin layers where healing happens. (2)
And perhaps most striking: a study in the Journal of Food Biochemistry found that horse chestnut seed extract could accelerate wound healing and support tissue regeneration, suggesting a deeper role in barrier repair, especially in compromised skin environments. (3)
These findings are in line with what we've seen in our own experience, and that of hundreds of customers - horse chestnut has a deeply calming, nourishing effect, helping the skin restore its integrity from within.
A Healing Partner for Stressed, Sensitive Skin
If your skin feels reactive, dry, red, or unpredictable - it may be telling you your barrier is in need of support. Working with thousands of people over the years, we've seen how a return to simple, whole-plant care can be the turning point. Horse chestnut brings that sense of resilience and calm, helping the skin feel safe again.
In both our Radiance Serum and Daily Cream, horse chestnut pairs seamlessly with other soothing, reparative botanicals: apple stem cells, oats, and chamomile. Together, they create a synergy that doesn’t just mask sensitivity - it nurtures the roots of skin health.
A Story of Transformation: Elisa’s Journey
The Radiance Collection wasn’t born from a market trend—it was born from a personal journey.
Elisa, who handcrafts each of our products with meticulous care, once found her skin so inflamed and reactive she couldn’t tolerate anything beyond pure shea butter. Redness, irritation, and rosacea became part of her daily life after her skin barrier was damaged. But she didn’t settle - she got curious.
Driven by a desire to heal and use more complete skincare again, she immersed herself in research. In our lab, she began formulating gentle, smart combinations of ingredients that wouldn’t trigger inflammation. Among them: oats, apple extracts, chamomile - and horse chestnut. The moment she shared her early formulations with me, I knew we were onto something special.
Together, we developed the Radiance Collection with a singular focus: to help rebuild the skin barrier and calm sensitive, inflamed skin. We made a deliberate choice to leave out essential oils, no matter how pure or beautiful, because we’ve learned firsthand how even the most natural aromatic compounds can overwhelm a vulnerable skin barrier.
Thoughtful, Ethical Sourcing
As with every ingredient we use, the horse chestnut extract in our Radiance line is thoughtfully grown (this ingredient is grown right here in the USA), ethically harvested, and minimally processed to preserve its full therapeutic profile. Plants carry the energy of the place they grow and the hands that harvest them. We honor that by working only with growers who share our reverence for the land.
This is slow beauty. And it matters.
Rooted in Real Care
Horse chestnut isn’t just an ingredient—it’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it comes in layers, in cycles. In time.
If your skin is calling out for gentleness, for strength, for restoration—this is for you.
Our Radiance Collection is about more than glow. It’s about resilience. About helping your skin remember what it feels like to be protected, nourished, and at peace in the world.
With warmth,
Angelina and Elisa
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Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Horse Chestnut Extract Formulations. MDPI Cosmetics, 2021. Link
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Evaluation of Escin Gel Formulations. Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University, 2016. Link
- Effects of Horse Chestnut Extract on Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2019. Link
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