Tara
Tara
Botany
Latin name
Caesalpinia spinosaCommon name
Family
FabaceaeOrigin
© Imagery Laboratory – Rocher Group
© Imagery Laboratory – Rocher Group
Botanical Engineering
LIFE
The Tara is not easy to get close to because this Peruvian bush has developed many defense mechanisms. Firstly its thorns, which are found on its trunk and branches, give it protection against herbivores. Next its pods, rich in tannin with an astringent and bitter flavor, represent a second dissuasive barrier and discourage greedy animals. Finally, Tara seeds are extremely hard. It is protected on all levels.
Origins of the plant
In the semi-arid zones of the Sierra, up to 2800 meters of altitude in Peru, wild Tara plants grow naturally. Twice a year, the pods are picked from these shrubs and make up the majority of the Tara seeds developed in Peru. This harvest, carried out by local families, concerns the renewable part of the plant and therefore does not threaten the tree’s life. However, in order to reduce the pressure on wild plants and encourage the natural renewal of the species, Yves Rocher’s partners are looking into modernizing the production of Tara. The farming methods of wild trees (maintenance, management…) double the yield and establishing plantations enables the harvests to be controlled at their optimum maturity (quality, quantity of seeds).
Our extract
The skin is subjected to external aggressions which cause it to change and age prematurely. Its biomechanical qualities (compressibility, stretchiness, elasticity) are weakened. The skin’s density decreases and affects the impact of the skin’s movements and their transformation into wrinkles.
To resolve this problem, Botanical Beauty researchers have studied the influence of galactosides on the behavior of skin cells. These sugars come from Tara seeds and thanks to a natural extraction process, a finely ground flour or Tara gum is obtained, which is very rich in galactosides. Researchers have been able to prove the efficacy of these sugars* and have patented their specific effect on the junction between the dermis and the epidermis (DEJ or dermal-epidermal junction). Tara galactosides actually stimulate the production of the elements making up the dermal-epidermal junction and lead to a stronger structure*. They also improve the adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis via the DEJ*. This corresponds to a better cohesion of the cutaneous structures and helps to make the skin denser and more compact **.
*In vitro tests
**In vivo tests