What does adaptogenic mean in skincare?

In skincare, adaptogenic botanicals are plant-based ingredients known for helping skin look more balanced, resilient, and supported under daily stressors. For Gunilla of Sweden®, this matters because both GUNILLA® anti-aging formulas and LEROSETT® Organic Acne Treatments are built around plant-based ingredients, aloe-based hydration, and high-performance botanicals selected to support healthier-looking skin.

1. Support the Natural Repair Cycle
Skin is constantly renewing itself, but age, dryness, breakouts, sensitivity, and daily stress can leave it looking dull, irritated, or depleted. Adaptogenic botanicals help support the skin’s natural repair cycle by promoting resilience and helping it respond more effectively to visible signs of stress. In GUNILLA® and LEROSETT® formulas, ingredients such as organic aloe vera, Panax ginseng, arnica, horse chestnut, ivy, and other high-performance botanicals help calm, replenish, and support stronger-looking skin. (US National Library of Medicine¹)

2. Help Defend Against Environmental Stressors
Dry air, pollution, UV exposure, oil imbalance, and everyday environmental stressors can weaken the skin barrier’s appearance and function. Adaptogenic ingredients help support skin exposed to these daily stressors by contributing antioxidant activity, soothing benefits, and barrier-supporting care. This is why Gunilla of Sweden® uses botanical ingredients such as grape seed, witch hazel, ginseng, aloe vera, and other plant-based actives across formulas designed for dry, sensitive, aging, oily, or acne-prone skin. (US National Library of Medicine²)

3. Support Healthier-Looking Aging Skin
Aging skin often shows visible changes such as fine lines, dryness, dullness, uneven tone, and loss of firmness. Adaptogenic skincare helps support the skin’s ability to look smoother, calmer, more hydrated, and more resilient over time. In GUNILLA® skincare, these botanicals work alongside clinically proven actives such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, ceramides, and antioxidant-rich ingredients to help improve the look of firmness, radiance, hydration, and texture. (US National Library of Medicine³)

28 Adaptogens in Gunilla of Sweden® Formulas & 80+ High-Performance Actives & Botanicals

Since 1987, Gunilla of Sweden® has followed one core belief: plant-based skincare is better skincare. Inspired by Swedish skincare traditions, GUNILLA® and LEROSETT® were originally developed as professional products for licensed skincare professionals and were exclusively used in spas, esthetician treatment rooms, and dermatology clinics for decades before becoming available to the public 23 years later. Our botanical formulas often include up to two dozen botanicals, adaptogens, and clinically proven actives. With ingredients such 30%-66% organic aloe vera, Panax ginseng, arnica, horse chestnut, ivy, witch hazel, grape seed, and proprietary all-natural mineral clay, our medical & spa-grade formulas help calm, hydrate, balance, and visibly renew skin for real concerns, with an emphasis on acne, problem skin, sensitive, dry, oily, aging, and stressed skin.