Mugwort is cropping up in many skin care products recently, but what is it and why is it so good for dry and irritated skin?

To put it simply mugwort is a weed, popular in Korea it is regarded as a healing herb for its antibacterial, anti-fungal and skin protective properties.

Legend has it that mugwort was behind the creation of the first Korean dynasty. According to Korean mythology, a bear and a tiger wanted to become human, so Hwanung, the son of the Lord of Heaven tested them by putting them in a cave with some mugwort and garlic and told them to stay there for 100 days. The bear had enough after 21 days, but the tiger stayed patient and was turned into a woman named Hwanung who later gave birth to Dangun, who founded the first Korean Dynasty, Gojoseon.

Thanks to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, mugwort targets dry, irritated skin effectively, it also contains a high level of vitamin C which helps retain moisture. The herb also has smoothing, protective powers fit for mature skin, too. “Trials reveal that mugwort acts as an antioxidant, helping prevent damage caused by ultraviolet rays, as well as a collagen stimulator, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines,” dermatologist Ted Lain explains.

As consumers are becoming savvier and looking carefully into the ingredients of their skincare, will companies start to incorporate a more natural approach and stay away from harsh chemicals? Whether your skin is dry and irritated, needs a brightening boost, or help healing breakouts and redness, mugwort might be the magical ingredient to solving your skin concerns.