Get to know our newest favourite ingredient: tamarind seed!
Tamarind seed extract is skincare’s newest and most potent ingredient for hydrating skin. In recent studies, it has been proven to outperform the well known and lightweight moisturiser Hyaluronic Acid, which is why tamarind has quickly become our favourite ingredient for weightless hydration in haircare.
Lovers of Indian cuisine will be all too familiar with tamarind. The tamarind tree produces curved pods that contain fleshy brown pulp rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and used as a souring agent with a distinctive tangy flavour.
The healing powers of this fruit first appeared in ancient Sanskrit scriptures. More recently, scientists have been able to study the molecular mechanisms responsible for its many benefits.
Some of this research has focused on the effect of tamarind seed extract (TSE) on the skin and hair. TSE is made from the dried and pulverised seed of the fruit. The xyloglucans produced are exceptional at holding onto water molecules, making it a fantastic moisturising agent and a natural alternative to the widely used hyaluronic acid (HA). Recent studies have highlighted the parallels between the two and it is now reported that TSE in fact outperforms HA in skin moisturisation and the ability to smooth wrinkles.
The power of tamarind is in its abundance of vitamins and minerals. This plant has everything required to support healthy, hydrated hair and skin. Tamarinds contain minerals like iron, potassium, calcium, copper, and zinc to help your bodily functions.
They also have antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and folic acid, which can help with the hair’s cell regeneration. What’s more, the seed is high in antioxidants that provide defense against aggressors and protect cells from the damage responsible for premature ageing.
Our team of beauty scientists is currently working to include larger concentrations of tamarind in our haircare and skincare range. But for now we absolutely love experiencing tamarind's weightless hydration in our IMLAYA Volumising Shampoo.
