History

Next time you meet the glorious colours, curves and scent of an iris flower, look carefully. This is a plant recognised for millennia to have special meanings – and benefits – for humans. Its name is the key: Iris, the name given by ancient Greeks to the goddess who was the messenger of the gods to man. Her symbol was the rainbow – the many-coloured refractions of sunlight coming through rainwater, always seen by humans as a sign of vitality and happiness.

We use their word for the ‘window’ of the eye, the many-coloured doorway to the messages which sight brings us. The ancient Egyptians decorated their sceptre with an iris flower, said to represent faith, wisdom and valour. The Romans devoted the iris to their goddess Juno, and used iris flowers in ceremonies of purification. In Christianity, the iris was the Virgin’s flower. Since the Middle Ages, this country has carried the iris on our national arms; the fleur-de-lys, French for iris.

Plant

Like the rainbow, the iris plant combines the natural forces of water and light in an unusually powerful way. This is a plant that can adapt to extreme dryness or moisture. The iris’s stems are its rhizomes which grow over the surface of the earth, rather than up in the air, as part of their amazing ability to store moisture, collected by the roots beneath. By constant adjustment to moisture conditions, the iris always has the reserves to produce its dramatically fast spring growth.

The rhizome, stalk and leaves have special layers to protect them from drying out. The top of each new leaf looks as if it is covered with dew but these droplets come from inside the plant, secreted by the iris through special cracks to give each leaf its own moist micro-climate, keeping it smooth and soft.

The value of this moisture-guarding power was known by the ancient Greeks. Iris rhizome, or orris root, was being used to keep creams and perfumes fresh some 3,000 years ago. By the Middle Ages, iris was grown for this use in Britain. You can test for yourself. Dip a pomander – a clove-studded orange – in dried orris root powder and it will stay fresh for months while an untreated pomander quickly dries and rots.

Interestingly, the ability for retain moisture makes iris a homeopathic remedy for migraine, the head pain caused by pressure of excess fluid in the brains blood vessels.

Cultivation for Weleda

Over 1000 kilograms of Iris root, 50% organic and 50% bio-dynamic, are harvested for Weleda. They come from the beautiful region of Emilia Romagna (Tuscany, Italy), where our fair trading partner harvests by hand.

Iris rhizomes, or roots, are cultivated for four years so that they mature to the highest quality. Once harvested these magical roots are then dried for 24 to 36 hours and then cut and sliced. A ripening process follows. When this is complete, the roots are boiled, producing a rich extract for use in the Iris Skin Care range.

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Key Properties

In skin care iris is used to help the skin regulate its moisture level. Iris extracts on the skin surface, the outermost epidermal layer, holds moisture there, giving an immediate feeling of moisturisation. This layer of dead skin cells, the stratum corneum, is all that is reached by many skin creams. But iris can also stimulate the active layer of cells in the lower epidermis which produces keratin, giving the skin resilience and melanin, the pigment which protects us from sunlight.

Fatty acids in the plant oils of iris work on the deeper layer of skin. Lack of fatty acids can lead to excess loss of water through the skin and the skin becoming easily inflamed. Other substances in iris also work in the lower skin layer providing longer term care by stimulating the skin to regulate its own moisture balance.

To keep that freshness of youth well into our 30s, it’s essential to lay strong foundations in our 20s with the best skincare products and beauty routine.

It’s important not to skip on vital measures such as cleansing and replenishing, or take the shortcuts we took as teenagers. In our 20s we should establish a habit of simple beauty basics to encourage the skin to function fully and healthily, which will pay dividends in our 30s. That’s where Iris comes in.

’The iris is moisture-balancing – ideal for our 20s’

Weleda’s European beauty consultant Lilith Schwertle explains: ‘In our 20s our skin can maintain its balance between hydration and oil production, looking radiant and beautiful. No ageing signs are visible.

The iris is moisture balancing – ideal for our 20s. This plant is able to maintain a balance between the skin’s moisture stimulating forces on the one hand, and firming and shaping forces on the other. It provides the ideal support for young skin to stay firm and glowing.’

Read more about your skin through the ages with Weleda’s European Beauty Consultant, Lilith Schwertle >

Precious ingredients

Weleda’s organic Iris Germanica grows on the mountain slopes of the Italian Apennines between Florence and Bologna, far away from pollution. Weleda has worked with the farmers on the biodynamic estate Ca’dei Fiori for over 15 years, producing the highest quality plants.

The iris root reaches maturity after several years’ cultivation, and can then be harvested by hand, dried, cut, stored and heated to obtain its precious extract.

Iris also contains antioxidants and soothing substances. The orris root extract helps the skin to remain hydrated and regulate a good balance of oil production and hydration so that skin feels soft, supple and fresh, with a healthy glow.

Pure plant oils such as organic jojoba and almond are combined with the iris plus cooling witch hazel extract which provides natural anti-inflammatory properties.

In Style Magazine, January 2011. Feature: Up Close. What they say? Alexa Chung. The 27-year-old TV presenter and fashion icon talks about Karl Lagerfeld, her bargain beauty buys and the one thing she’s willing to fake. My Jet-Set Kit. ‘On the plane, I always moisturise with Weleda face cream (Wild Rose Day Cream and Iris Day Cream) . . . ’.

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WELEDA’S IRIS ACTION PLAN

Weleda products which contain Iris:

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Find out more with useful guides, hints and tips from the professionals:

•  Your skin through the ages – an interview with Weleda’s European Beauty Consultant, Lilith Schwertle

•  Hannah Maxwell, celebrity make-up artist, shares her experience

•  DIY Facial give yourself a rosy glow

•  Sarah Stacey, co-author of The Green Beauty Bible shares her story with health & beauty tips and recommendations >

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© Weleda 2011