Thirsty Turtl has built its identity around hydration-first skincare and Australian native ingredients, working with Indigenous growers to spotlight home-grown botanicals that are increasingly gaining global attention within modern skincare formulations.
The interest isn’t just happening at home. Market analysis estimates the Australian skincare sector was valued at around USD 3.9 billion in 2025, with growing consumer curiosity around plant-based formulations helping drive popularity across the category.
The brand’s latest release, the River Mint Hydrating Serum, feels like a natural extension of this barrier-support skincare ethos while also reflecting a broader shift in how “greens” are being positioned in beauty – increasingly tied to longevity and everyday skin maintenance rather than quick-fix (and usually short term) results.
Read: Aussie Brand Thirsty Turtl is Offering Skincare With Incredible First Nations Ingredients by: Mary-Ann McCall
Can a Green Serum Work as a “Green Juice For Your Skin”?
No, we can’t literally rub green juice (or raw green ingredients) on our faces and expect meaningful results.
Ingredients used in skincare are carefully optimised to be potent, stabilised so they remain effective over time, and refined to be bioavailable, meaning they’re formulated to properly absorb and work with the skin rather than just sit on the surface.
But green serums aren’t new – or new to us. We’re no strangers to phyto-focused skincare, with the popular $127.00 SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel being a popular pick for redness-prone skin – and on our radar since its launch.
Read: Are Expensive Serums Worth It? Honest Reviews of 3 Over-$100 Picks by: Minnie Isaac
We’re glad to see formulations become more accessible and more Historically, botanical ingredients have been enjoyed thanks to their antioxidant content, soothing properties, and naturally occurring vitamins and fatty acids.
Scientific reviews show plant-derived antioxidants can support skin health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Botanical ingredients often contain:
- Antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids
- Anti-inflammatory compounds
- Vitamins and fatty acids
Read: Ingredient And Retail Packaging Trends to Look Out For in 2026 by: Wanda Prekel
That doesn’t mean dramatic transformation overnight, more so leaning into long-term skin support, and helps explain why botanical serums remain so popular.
Thirsty Turtl River Mint Hydrating Serum, $52.00
The new River Mint Hydrating Serum will appeal most to anyone looking for reliable, comfortable hydration.
From an ingredient perspective, it leans toward barrier support and that fresh, hydrated glow rather than any intensive resurfacing or treatment benefits.
Best suited for:
- Dehydrated or dull skin needing consistent moisture support
- Barrier-repair routines where calming, hydration-focused layers matter
- People who prefer lightweight serums that layer easily under moisturiser
- Anyone interested in skincare featuring native Australian botanical ingredients
- Those who dislike hydration products that disappear quickly or leave a tacky finish
If you’ve previously enjoyed calming botanical ingredients like cica or aloe-based formulas, this type of serum may be extra enjoyable.
All About River Mint – The Indigenous Botanical Highlight
Native river mint (Mentha australis) is an Australian plant traditionally used in bush foods and herbal applications.
Research suggests Australian native botanicals including river mint show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in pre-clinical testing, which is encouraging.
In skincare, that typically translates to:
- Soothing potential. Some botanical formulas also have subtle green tints, which can help visually counteract the appearance of redness.
- Antioxidant protection. Always a welcome addition, thanks to river mint’s antioxidant profile and the broader role antioxidants play in supporting skin resilience.
- Sensory freshness. River mint tends to feel fresh and lightly cooling on the skin, usually without the sharper intensity sometimes associated with menthol-based ingredients.
The serum includes several other botanicals to complete the green juice for your face, including broccoli seed oil, aloe vera, chlorophyll, and alfalfa extract.
Hydration Ingredients That Support The Formula
While the botanicals get the spotlight and contribute greatly to the refreshing calming feel, the core hydration work comes from familiar, hardworking ingredients.
These include:
- Saccharide Isomerate (Pentavitin) at 3%. This humectant is designed to bind water to the skin and help reduce transepidermal water loss
- A high percentage of fermented rice filtrate. Fermented ingredients are superstars at skin-conditioning and antioxidant support
- Glycerin and amino acids, which mimic elements of the skin’s natural moisturising factor.
Well-rounded formulas like this typically combine botanical ingredients with multiple hydration systems, ensuring the serum delivers both sensory appeal and lasting moisture support.
Indigenous Botanicals Across The Full Thirsty Turtl Range
Before the River Mint Hydrating Serum, Thirsty Turtl had already built a reputation for spotlighting Indigenous Australian ingredients in everyday skincare.
The brand works with First Nations growers and native botanicals not just for marketing appeal, but as part of a broader focus on biodiversity, local sourcing, and culturally rooted ingredients.
You can learn more about their formulation philosophy and how they partner with Indigenous farmers here.
Other products in the range featuring Indigenous botanicals include:
- Forest Therapy Balancing Cream Foam Cleanser. Their cleanser centres on Australian white cypress, using hydrosol, leaf oil, and a wood oil blend.
- Desert Glow Brightening Gel-Crème. The day cream embraces native desert tomato and botanicals.
- Pacific Dusk Overnight Barrier Cream. Our holy grail overnight mask and barrier cream, which uses Oat, Seaweed And Native Extracts.
If you’d like a deeper perspective on the range, we definitely recommend checking out Praise’s full review, which we’ve linked here.
Read: My Honest Thoughts on Thirsty Turtl’s Full Range by: Praise Fadzai
Let us know if you’ve tried any green serums before, and what you thought, below in the comments.
WRS Team x
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