Saffron is a beauty and wellness jack of all trades. It's been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat ailments like indigestion, headaches, and menstrual cramps, added to food for extra spice, and used as a key ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. Ancient Minoan women mixed the bright orange spice with red ochre and beeswax to create early lipsticks, and even Cleopatra is rumored to have indulged in saffron milk baths ahead of meetings with potential suitors. These days, the time-tested ingredient is getting more of the attention it deserves, thanks to its alluring scent and diverse skincare benefits. It's used as a main ingredient in many of the most popular face serums , masks , creams , and fragrances available worldwide. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, which is one reason why it's quite literally worth its weight in gold. Saffron is typically harvested by hand from the crocus sativus flower. “It has unique properties that can assist with hyperpigmentation , along with alleviating the effects of sun damage,” dermatologist Karan Lal tells Bazaar . “ Studies have also shown that saffron extract can prevent collagen breakdown and may stimulate collagen production. Additionally, it has antimicrobial properties and can help preserve the skin barrier."
Skincare enthusiasts have been quick to name the buzzy additive as a vitamin C alternative, since each is well-known for brightening skin and protecting it from free radical damage . However, Lal notes that the two ingredients don’t warrant direct comparison, as each offers slightly different benefits and levels of efficacy depending on how they're formulated.
For Ayurvedic beauty founder Michelle Ranavat , whose has become one of the brand's hero products, saffron is much more than just a trendy ingredient. “It’s a symbol of heritage, luxury, and care,” she says. “In South Asian culture, saffron is revered not only for its glow-enhancing properties but also for its spiritual and healing energy. When you use saffron in your ritual, you’re not just nourishing your skin; you’re tapping into something sacred, something ancestral. And to me, that’s what makes beauty feel truly meaningful.” In addition to its skin-protecting, radiance-boosting benefits, professionals say saffron also shows promise in SPF. One 2010 study found that saffron, in higher concentrations, can absorb UV rays better than the popular chemical UV filter homosalate. Just recently, Ranavat released an that combines zinc oxide and saffron, squalane, and 20 different adaptogenic herbs to help maximize skin health. “In a world where new actives are constantly emerging, it’s powerful to ground ourselves in ingredients with centuries of proven benefits,” the founder adds. “Modern skincare doesn’t have to replace ancient wisdom—it can enhance it.”
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Skincare enthusiasts have been quick to name the buzzy additive as a vitamin C alternative, since each is well-known for brightening skin and protecting it from free radical damage . However, Lal notes that the two ingredients don’t warrant direct comparison, as each offers slightly different benefits and levels of efficacy depending on how they're formulated.
For Ayurvedic beauty founder Michelle Ranavat , whose has become one of the brand's hero products, saffron is much more than just a trendy ingredient. “It’s a symbol of heritage, luxury, and care,” she says. “In South Asian culture, saffron is revered not only for its glow-enhancing properties but also for its spiritual and healing energy. When you use saffron in your ritual, you’re not just nourishing your skin; you’re tapping into something sacred, something ancestral. And to me, that’s what makes beauty feel truly meaningful.” In addition to its skin-protecting, radiance-boosting benefits, professionals say saffron also shows promise in SPF. One 2010 study found that saffron, in higher concentrations, can absorb UV rays better than the popular chemical UV filter homosalate. Just recently, Ranavat released an that combines zinc oxide and saffron, squalane, and 20 different adaptogenic herbs to help maximize skin health. “In a world where new actives are constantly emerging, it’s powerful to ground ourselves in ingredients with centuries of proven benefits,” the founder adds. “Modern skincare doesn’t have to replace ancient wisdom—it can enhance it.”
