Kigelia

A natural history

Kigelia comes from one of Africa's most extraordinary trees, the sausage tree, named for the enormous, heavy, sausage shaped fruits that hang from its branches on long, rope like stalks. A single fruit can grow up to a meter long and weigh as much as a small child, and the tree is held sacred by many African communities. It is a landmark of the savanna, impossible to mistake.

For generations, across the continent, the fruit of the sausage tree has been treasured in traditional skin and beauty care, used to firm, tone, and care for the complexion. From a tree of striking, almost improbable fruits comes a botanical long valued for the look of strong, even, well tended skin.

What it does for your skin

Kigelia fruit is rich in flavonoids and other beneficial compounds and has a long African tradition in skin care. In laboratory study, a kigelia fruit extract was gentle and non irritating on a model of human skin, and its key compound verminoside showed soothing, anti inflammatory activity.^[1] A scientific review documents the fruit's traditional use for skin care and its antioxidant compounds, noting its place in marketed skin formulas.^[2] In a formula it is a traditional African botanical used to support the look of firm, even toned skin. Laboratory work and a long tradition of skin use both point to that firm, even-toned support.

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