What is Tulsi Face Serum? Inside the Ancient Indian Ingredient 

Are you tired of your skincare products not quite meeting your expectations? If you're ready for an upgrade that delivers never-ending natural goodness and time-tested benefits, we may have found just the ingredient for you. 

Referred to as the "Queen of Herbs," Tulsi —also known as Holy Basil— has been at the centre of Ayurvedic traditions for centuries, and it's not hard to see why. This powerhouse antioxidant-rich, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient helps to soothe irritated and acne-prone skin, brighten your complexion, and protect you from environmental stressors that cause premature ageing. 

Keen to find out more? Keep reading as we delve into the world of Tulsi face serum — including what it is, why it's a must-have for your skin, and our top product recommendation to keep your skin feeling as beautiful as it looks. 

Whether you know it as Tulsi or Holy Basil, one thing we can all agree on is that it's a game-changing skincare ingredient that is incredibly underrated. "But why?" you're probably wondering. 

To understand exactly why this ingredient is the foundation of our brand, let's take a quick look at Holy Basil's history. Tulsi is a traditional herb native to India and Southeast Asia that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine and skincare products for centuries. Often referred to as the "Queen of Herbs," this powerful ingredient is jam-packed with bioactive compounds — Ursolic Acid and Eugenol, just to name a couple — that boast antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying benefits. 

While not related to skincare, here are a few fun facts about the Tulsi/Holy Basil plant you may not know:

1. Tulsi was first discovered in India over 5,000 years ago and has since played a significant role in Ayurvedic practices. 
2. Tulsi is an essential part of Hindu spiritualism and mythology. The Tulsi plant is believed to be the manifestation of the Hindu goddess Tulsi, thus playing a vital role in religious ceremonies. 
3. Many Indian homes will feature a Tulsi plant, honouring the belief that it brings prosperity and happiness. 

So, you've probably clued on by now that Tulsi is a pretty impressive ingredient that's been time-tested for its potency and benefits. With over 5,000 years of practice under its belt, you'll likely be unsurprised to learn that this game-changing ingredient boasts impressive health and skin benefits. 

Let's take a closer look at why Holy Basil is a core part of Indian Culture and the foundational ingredient of Dr Tanya's skincare range:

So, we all know of antioxidants. But how many of us know what they do and why they're crucial for your body — especially when discussing skin health? Trust us, you're going to want to read this.

Simply put, antioxidants are molecules that play an important role in helping fight and neutralise free radicals and oxidative stress in your body. Free radicals are harmful compounds (or, for our science folk, unstable atoms) that can create oxidative stress, ultimately damaging cells within your body. This can result in various illnesses, diseases and premature skin ageing characterised by the early onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

While your body has its own antioxidant defences to help keep free radicals at bay, with the amount of oxidative stress we're exposed to today, we often require more help than our body can provide. This means turning to quality antioxidant-rich foods (i.e., fruits, vegetables, etc.) and vitamins. It also means being intentional about what skincare ingredients you use.

This is where Holy Basil enters the scene. Tulsi has been used for centuries owing to its health benefits, one being the support it offers in healthy skin ageing. According to a 2019 study, Holy Basil is shown to deliver "potent antioxidant activity" when applied topically. 

Tulsi is rich in a compound known as Eugenol, which boasts anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help soothe skin inflammation and redness. It is also rich in a number of other protective phytonutrients, including Oleanolic Acid, Ursolic Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Carvacrol, and more. 

Additionally, as Tulsi also contains important antioxidants that protect the skin from several environmental stressors, it's assumed that owing to those benefits, it can help keep irritation and sensitivity at bay. 

Tulsi is widely known in the skincare industry for its antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits, which, you guessed it, can be hugely beneficial for acne. 

Wondering how, exactly? Generally speaking, acne occurs when bacteria and dead skin build up and block the hair follicles. As such, relying on ingredients with antibacterial properties, like Holy Basil, can stop bacteria from forming on the skin. 

However, it is important to note that no human trials have been performed to understand the connection between Tulsi and acne. A 2014 literature review found that despite this, experimental evidence suggests that holy basil may play a role in treating several human bacterial infections, one of which is acne. 

When we talk about skin brightness, it's easy to get confused by exactly what this means. Simply speaking, it refers to improving skin tone and texture by minimising dark spots and patches…also known as skin pigmentation. 

Here's a quick crash course on skin pigmentation and what determines yours: Skin pigmentation, also known as skin colour, is determined by melanin, which is produced by skin cells called melanocytes. The specific amount and type of melanin your skin cells produce will determine the colour of your skin, your susceptibility to sun damage, and any skin disorders (i.e., hyperpigmentation). 

So, genetics aside, what else can influence skin pigmentation? Believe it or not, the biggest factor affecting your skin's pigmentation is sun exposure as UV rays force your skin to produce more melanin as a means of protection. You'll also find skin pigmentation can be influenced by hormones (i.e., birth control or pregnancy), infections, skin disorders, and more). 

What does all of this have to do with Tulsi? Let us cut to the chase. Tulsi is rich in antioxidant properties (as discussed above), which may play a role in helping reduce pigmentation. While more research is required to confirm this link, theoretically speaking, antioxidants are crucial for reducing the production of free radicals and the damage caused by oxidative stress. As such, antioxidants are not only suggested to result in less pigmentation, but they can also help minimise environmental stressors such as UV rays — the most considerable contributor to pigmentation. 

Let's assume the benefits outlined above are too impressive to ignore, and you're ready to add this incredibly protective and beneficial ingredient to your skincare line-up. So, what's next, and how do you get started? 

You'll likely be surprised to learn this ingredient is as versatile in its delivery as in its benefits. What exactly does this mean? You've got options when it comes to choosing which Tulsi-infused skincare product you want to add to your routine. You'll find Tulsi in:

• Face masks: Often combined with ingredients to brighten the skin. 
• Serums: Often combined with powerful ingredients to deliver anti-ageing and hydrating benefits.
• Moisturiser: To hydrate your skin and protect your skin barrier. 
• Cleansers: To help detoxify the skin. 

[Read Full Article: How to Build A Skincare Ritual: The AM to PM Guide to Glowing Skin]

We should preface this by saying that all skincare products play an important role in your skincare lineup. Instead of querying which type of product is better than the next, consider them all pieces of a puzzle. They fit together to serve a larger purpose! For example, our incredible Tulsi-infused Holy Basil Day and Night Cream is just as important as our Holy Basil Face Serum — they serve different purposes but pack a serious punch when paired!

For the purpose of this article, we'll be shining an extra bright light on just one of our many favourite Holy Basil skincare products, which we're particularly fond of for maximising this incredible ingredient's benefits. You guessed it: we're talking about our go-to Tulsi face serum. Well, more specifically, Dr Tanya's Holy Basil Face Serum. 

Why, exactly? To avoid beating around the bush, we'll give it to you straight: While all skincare products play an imperative part in your skin's overall health, we're particularly fond of serums, and for good reason. 

Face serums contain active ingredients, which makes them concentrated and more effective at targeting and addressing specific skin concerns — from ageing skin, dryness, and acne to sun damage/skin pigmentation and more. 

Additionally, due to their light texture and molecular weight, serums can absorb more easily into the skin and penetrate deeply beneath the surface, allowing them to target various skin concerns. 

[Read Full Article: What is a Face Serum, and Should I Be Using One?]

Combining Dr Tanya's favourite natural and bio-diverse ingredients into one powerful ritual, the 5-star Holy Basil Face Serum is a go-to elixir to breathe life back into tired, depleted skin. 

Powered by brightening botanicals Holy Basil and Cacay Oil, this nutrient-rich serum stimulates and regenerates cell renewal, while added Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil promote a brighter, nourished, and supple complexion. 

The quick facts: 

• It's excellent for nourishing and hydrating dry, depleted skin.
• It's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone.
• It contains Holy Basil (Tulsi), Cacay Oil, Vitamin E, and Jojoba Oil.
• It's designed to soothe easily irritated skin, brighten and firm skin, and help treat acne and pigmentation. 

In fact, it's not just us saying it. Consider the following results from a 6-week study using Holy Basil Face Serum:

• 75% of users saw an overall improvement in skin texture.
• 100% of users felt their skin was more hydrated.
• 82% of users saw a reduction in redness. 

We'll only lightly touch on this ingredient because you're probably sick of hearing about the never-ending stream of Tulsi benefits (as mentioned above). So, let's do a quick recap of why Tulsi face serum is a game-changer:

• It's rich in antioxidants: Oxidative stress is a well-known culprit of premature ageing, which is characterised by fine lines and wrinkles. Tulsi has been shown to help neutralise free radicals, reducing the risk of premature ageing. 
• It offers anti-inflammatory properties: Tulsi is known to help reduce redness, swelling, and skin irritation, making it a particularly beneficial ingredient for those with skin conditions like eczema and acne. 
• It offers antibacterial benefits: Tulsi face serum is widely revered for its well-known antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. As acne occurs when bacteria forms on the skin, introducing an antibacterial ingredient like Holy Basil can be extremely beneficial for those with acne-prone skin. 
• It can improve pigmentation: Owing to its rich antioxidant properties, Tulsi is suggested to help minimise pigmentation and dark spots. 

If you've ever noticed this ingredient sprawled across the back of skincare labels but questioning, "What even are cacay oil benefits for your face?" you're in the right place! Let's take a closer look at its benefits and how to use cacay oil for face:

• It boasts anti-ageing benefits: Cacay Oil is naturally loaded with Vitamin A, which is proven to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity. A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that a body cream containing hydrolysed collagen and cacay oil had a significantly higher cell turnover rate when applied twice daily. It's important to note that this study looks at these two ingredients together. Thus, it's hard to determine the individual contribution of cacay oil. 
• It improves skin hydration and elasticity: Cacay oil is suggested to improve your skin's hydration and nourishment. According to a four-week study conducted by Curelle, whereby participants applied cacay oil twice daily, 45% of subjects saw a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, 30% saw an increase in skin smoothness, and 27% experienced improvements in skin elasticity. 
• It supports skin barrier function: Have you heard of Linoleic Acid? If not, you'll want to start doing your research! Cacay oil is naturally high in Linoleic Acid, which improves the skin's ability to retain moisture and maintain a strong skin barrier function. 

Jojoba Oil is found in the seeds of the Simmondsia Chinensis plant, which is native to North America. It gained popularity owing to its uncanny resemblance to human sebum — you know, your skin's natural oil that keeps it feeling supple, moisturised, and nourished? 

This incredible ingredient is jam-packed with Vitamins E and B, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and more, making it a key player in many skincare products. So, what are our favourite Jojoba Oil benefits for your face? Let's take a closer look:

• It improves skin moisture and retention: Jojoba oil is a humectant, meaning it draws water into the skin and traps it to prevent moisture loss, improving skin hydration. 
• It offers antioxidant benefits: Similarly to Tulsi, Jojoba Oil is also rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and premature ageing. Not to mention, it's also known to offer anti-inflammatory benefits making it a great addition to those who suffer from dry skin and several skin conditions (i.e., eczema). 
• It's non-comedogenic: Jojoba Oil's resemblance to your skin's natural sebum means your skin can't tell the difference between the two, meaning it is less likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts. 
• It helps control oil production: As mentioned above, Jojoba Oil is similar to your natural oil, which means it also has the superpower of helping to regulate it. What exactly does this mean? When you apply Jojoba Oil, your skin is sufficiently moisturised and sends a signal to your hair and sweat follicles to alert it to the fact that it doesn't need any more sebum for hydration. This means your skin will feel nourished and adequately hydrated (not oily) and reduce the risk of experiencing clogged pores or acne. 
• May help to reduce acne: We've just covered this one above, but let's recap: Jojoba Oil's ability to help regulate your natural sebum production (due to its likeness) reduces the chances of you experiencing clogged pores and, in turn, acne. Not to mention, it also has antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits, which may further minimise acne.