What Does Kakadu Plum Do for Your Skin?

Kakadu plum seems to be popping up in more and more skincare products. But what actually is it? And what does Kakadu plum do for your skin?

Kakadu plum is a small Australian native fruit. It grows naturally across northern parts of Australia and is well known for being very rich in vitamin C.

This is one of the main reasons it has become such a popular skincare ingredient.

What is Kakadu plum?

Kakadu plum, also known as Terminalia ferdinandiana, is an Australian native fruit.

It has been used by Indigenous Australians for generations and today you will find Kakadu plum in foods, supplements and skincare products.

One of the things that makes Kakadu plum particularly interesting is its naturally high vitamin C content. It also contains plant compounds with antioxidant properties.

Why is Kakadu plum used in skincare?

Kakadu plum is mainly used in skincare because of its vitamin C and antioxidant content.

Antioxidants help protect against free radicals. These are unstable molecules that can be produced by things such as sunlight, pollution and normal processes in our bodies.

Over time, free radical damage can contribute to some of the visible signs of skin ageing.

This is why antioxidant-rich ingredients are often included in skincare designed for mature or sun-exposed skin.

Is Kakadu plum a natural source of vitamin C?

Yes.

Kakadu plum is naturally very high in vitamin C. In fact, it is considered one of the richest known fruit sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an important skincare ingredient because it has antioxidant properties and plays a role in the production of collagen.

It is also commonly used in skincare products designed to help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and sun-damaged skin.

Is Kakadu plum the same as a vitamin C serum?

Not exactly.

This is an important distinction.

A skincare product containing Kakadu plum extract is not necessarily the same thing as a serum containing a specific percentage of pure vitamin C, such as L-ascorbic acid.

How much vitamin C reaches your skin depends on the Kakadu plum extract used, how much is in the product and how the product has been formulated.

So I wouldn't think of Kakadu plum as simply another name for a vitamin C serum.

Instead, I think of it as a beautiful Australian botanical ingredient that naturally contains vitamin C along with other plant antioxidants.

Is Kakadu plum good for mature skin?

It can be a lovely ingredient to include in a mature skincare routine.

As we get older, many of us are looking for skincare that helps our skin look hydrated, healthy and bright.

Ingredients with antioxidant properties can be a useful part of that routine, alongside good moisturising ingredients and, of course, daily sun protection.

You don't need a complicated 10-step skincare routine to look after mature skin.

A gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, a good moisturiser / balm and you're all set

How do I use Kakadu plum in my skincare routine?

This depends on the product.

Kakadu plum can be added to serums, creams, oils and other skincare products.

At Flowerdale Valley, I use Kakadu plum in our Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Kakadu Plum.

I particularly like this combination because hyaluronic acid is all about hydration, while Kakadu plum adds an Australian botanical ingredient naturally rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

You can apply the serum to clean skin before your moisturiser.

Is Kakadu plum worth trying?

If you like natural Australian skincare ingredients, I think Kakadu plum is definitely worth knowing about.

It isn't a miracle ingredient, and I don't believe skincare needs to be full of miracle claims.

What Kakadu plum does offer is something quite special: an Australian native fruit naturally rich in vitamin C and antioxidant compounds.

And that makes it a very interesting little fruit indeed.