What is Santa Barbara Sage?

Santa Barbara Sage Avocado Butter

The ‘Santa Barbara’ Sage Plant

The History of Sage

The sage plant has over 900 species found throughout the world, and a long history of uses dating as far back as 5,000 BC. Ancient Greek and Roman writings tell of the use of sage in spiritual rituals and medicinal practices. The Egyptians considered it sacred due to its many medicinal properties; they also believed it could cure infertility in women. A well-prepared Pharaoh wouldn’t be caught dead in the afterlife without this cure-all. We know this because archeologists have found remnants of the herb in tombs throughout Egypt. The sage was packed in jugs of wine with other herbs and ported over to the other side where no doubt it was enjoyed by all.

Sage, named from the Latin verb ‘salvare’ which means to heal, was considered sacred due to its seemingly magical ability to cure everything from itchy skin and sore throats to infertility. And in some cultures, special tools and clothing were required to collect and process the herb before use.

The Benefits of Sage Oil

Dalmatian Sage or common sage as it’s known has so many wonderful benefits for the skin. For one it’s a powerful antioxidant and exfoliant due to the presence of phenolic and ursolic acids. We need these mighty warriors to fend off signs of aging. Let’s face it, we are all going to age there’s just no way around that so let’s do it gracefully. 

Sage is also rich with vitamins K and A which help speed up blood circulation stimulating healthy cell regeneration leaving your skin youthful and beautiful. These two benefits alone can keep your skin looking glorious and vibrant. But this overachiever of medicinal herbs doesn’t stop there.

It also contains high levels of flavonoids, a phenolic derivative of rosmarinic acid. This bio-beauty performs as a powerful anti-inflammatory and healing compound that has been scientifically proven to soothe irritating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, itchy, dry skin and even protects against UVA and UVB damage caused by exposure to the sun* - boom, drop the mic! With so many amazing compounds in sage it’s clear why this powerful herb has prevailed in the trials of science and opinion with an impeccable reputation. 

How Santa Barbara Sage Began

I started my company over ten years ago in search of a natural remedy to help with irritating eczema that made my skin red and bumpy. And I desperately needed a remedy for over exposure to the sun which made my skin deeply wrinkled with hyper pigmentation (random dark spots) and solar keratosis (scaly, rough patches. I was a mess.

I was familiar with the use of dried sage for purifying and cleansing the air and thought perhaps this would work on my skin…clear it up and all.  So, I created an oil infused with Black Sage which grows prolifically throughout Santa Barbara. I whipped up a batch of avocado butter blended with my new elixir and over time it worked, my skin was finally soft, and it glowed! The extreme signs of sun damage had diminished, although not completely (this will require a more intensive treatment involving lasers and CO2) but the itching was gone. I had to share this with everyone and anyone who would try it and thus began Santa Barbara Sage organic skincare products.

My sage oil formula has evolved and my knowledge and skills as a formulator have as well. I have developed a special signature Santa Barbara sage oil blend of Dalmatian Sage, native to the coastal Dalmatian region of Croatia, with Black Sage from my organic garden in Santa Barbara. And my line has expanded, it now includes luxury bath products, body polishes, butters, creams, serums, perfumes, and more. All formulated with superior quality and high performance, vegan, and organic ingredients designed to target and treat specific dermatologic issues. Just to be clear, Santa Barbara sage oil is one of my favorite ingredients to incorporate in my butters, balms, and cleansers. I feel it is not suitable in everything so you won’t find it in all of my Santa Barbara Sage skincare products.

The science and technology behind organic skin care formulation has advanced over the years. Today we have a beautiful new world of active ingredients available to target all our skin’s needs. One such ingredient that I am so impressed with is lupeol which is extracted from the coatings of lupine seeds grown in France. This sweetheart is a game changer for keeping your skin firm and it’s in my Peptide Pro-Collagen serum along with other fabulous actives to help smooth, tighten and firm.

I invite you to take a journey with me and experience Santa Barbara skincare at its finest.

Please enjoy 15% off when you visit my online store at Santa Barbara Sage Organic Beauty. Use code ‘SBSAGE’ and see for yourself the organic beauty that awaits you.

OFFER EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2024

“Leave the natural as natural as possible…”-Sebastian Kneipp herbalist 1821-1897

*The National Institution of Health: Chemistry, Pharmacology and Medicinal Properties of Sage

Authors: Mohsen Hamidpour,1 Rafie Hamidpour,2 Soheila Hamidpour,3 and Mina Shahlari4