Edelweiss – Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum
Botanical profile
Edelweiss is a rare beauty and a protected species. This small, noble plant features snow-white leaves and star-shaped inflorescences. It grows 1,500 to 3,000 metres above sea level, thriving under strong sunlight and in poor soil. This resilience requires special powers – which are also good for our skin.
Queen of the Alps
In the high mountain peaks where the edelweiss makes its home, snow lies like a blanket over the vegetation for long periods. Beneath the ice, this petite plant hibernates with its branching rootstock until the next spring. After the snow has melted, a small rosette emerges, and before long, the short stalk reaches a height of up to ten centimetres. Its lance-shaped leaves are covered with woolly, snow-white hairs and enclose the star-shaped blossoms at their centre.
High-altitude artist
The secret lies with the curly white leaves: they contain thousands of tiny air bubbles that reflect the sunlight. Researchers have discovered that the fine hairs on edelweiss leaves consist of parallel fibres with a diameter of 0.18 micrometres, and their structure enables them to absorb the wavelength emitted by harmful UV radiation. The rest of the sun’s rays pass through, allowing the plant to undergo photosynthesis. The delicate hairs on the plant serve a dual purpose: they facilitate the absorption of moisture from the air while protecting the plant from excessive water loss caused by intense sunlight.
Symbol of the high mountains
Not only does the edelweiss survive the long winters and strong sun, but the barren soil presents another challenge to the plant. The ground of the tall alpine peaks provides few nutrients. Nevertheless, this remarkable plant draws sufficient energy from the soil to bloom and grow, revitalising even the most barren landscapes. In this lofty realm where flowers are scarce, the edelweiss has triumphed as an emblem of the high mountains.
Edelweiss extract for skin care
To produce edelweiss extract for its natural and organic cosmetics, Weleda uses the precious above-ground flowering parts of the plant. The plant is organically grown at an altitude of over 1,000 metres above sea level and harvested only in the second and fourth years of cultivation. The extract contains leontopodic acid and other phenolic acids and flavonoids. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, edelweiss extract can neutralise free radicals, balancing the stress caused by UV radiation and protecting against premature skin ageing. Edelweiss extract works wonders on your skin: it boosts resistance to external agents and fortifies the skin barrier, enhancing moisture retention.
Skin collagen
Weleda has crafted a truly unique active complex by tapping into the remarkable properties of edelweiss, combined with blue gentian and centella asiatica. Our new plant-based , patent-pending Collagen+ Active Complex supports the skin’s natural collagen formation processes while safeguarding against premature skin ageing.
