You might recognise the vivid blue of kembang telang, also known as blue pea or Clitoria ternatea, from traditional drinks and dishes across Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, you’ll find blue pea in everything from nasi kerabu to es kembang telang — where its vivid petals steep into strikingly blue infusions, giving both food and drink a touch of natural brilliance.
But behind that eye-catching hue lies something more: a gentle yet powerful plant with centuries of healing use and surprising skincare benefits.
A Flower with Deep Roots
Native to the Indonesian island of Ternate, butterfly pea has long been used by local communities to soothe skin, brighten eyes, and treat everyday ailments. Traditionally applied to insect bites, minor wounds, skin diseases and even snakebites, it’s a botanical remedy that has been quietly passed down through generations
What Makes Blue Pea Special?
Its vivid petals are rich in naturally occurring antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including:
-
Delphinidin-based anthocyanins (the pigment that gives it its vivid blue color)
-
Flavonoids like p-coumaric and ferulic acid
-
Vitamin C
-
Triterpenoids and tannins
These plant compounds work in harmony to help protect skin from everyday stress, calm irritation, and support a complexion that feels balanced, hydrated, and cared for.
Compared to the more widely-known gotu kola (Centella asiatica), blue pea extract has been shown to:
-
Provide better skin hydration
-
Offer stronger anti-inflammatory benefits
-
Deliver more pronounced anti-aging effects
-
Comparable antioxidant capacity
Where It Shows Up in Our Skincare
At From This Island, we chose blue pea extract as the star of our Blue Pea Purifying Micellar Water — a gentle, no-rinse formula made for daily cleansing. It sweeps away makeup, sunscreen, and buildup while helping to soothe and reset the skin. No tightness. No sting. Just that fresh, quiet feeling of being clean and calm.
Because this extract is water-loving and naturally rich in soothing actives, it shines in micellar formulas that are meant to care, not strip.
A Note on Colour and Care
One of the most beautiful traits of blue pea is its ability to change colour naturally. Depending on pH, the extract can shift from rich blue to purple or even pink. While this visual change doesn’t affect its efficacy, it’s a natural sign of how active and sensitive the extract is.
To preserve both its colour integrity and antioxidant strength, we cold-process our extract and avoid harsh pH conditions. That way, you’re getting the flower at its best.
Why It Matters
As with many of our ingredients, blue pea is chosen not only for what it does, but where it comes from. By growing it organically and sourcing it locally and responsibly, we honor the generations of herbal wisdom rooted in Indonesian landscapes and bring that legacy into every bottle.
It’s not just cleansing. It’s cleansing with purpose by using nature’s quiet powerhouse to support skin in the gentlest way possible.
