Skincare from the Soil

Today’s society is increasingly concerned with being eco-friendly and more and more people are “going-green”. We worry about the effects of chemicals on the earth, debris in our oceans, and fuel emissions depleting the ozone layer. However, what about the atmosphere of our own bodies and the most personal terrain of all - our face? Certainly, while I am suggesting we do our part, one person may not be able to change the course of the planet. We can, however, have an immediate, long-lasting impact on our own person. Everyone wants to be healthy, feel satisfied, live a full life, and look good doing it. The timeless phrase, “you are what you eat” has finally sunk in and, while we are all guilty of sometimes choosing a French fry over fiber, we realize the value pure, natural, organic food has our nutrition. Follow a similar path and learn the impact organic skincare can have on our skin’s beauty and overall health and wellness.

Organic foods taste better because they’re picked when actually ripe and are better for you and the environment because they don’t have to travel as far to reach you (reducing fuel emissions). The same applies to natural skincare because going organic is also better for your skin. Shashi Srikantan, owner of the 100% natural Quench Bath and Body line summarizes, “Unprocessed foods allow the natural properties of the food to be retained and allow you to get the most nutritional value out of it – likewise, keep the ingredients of your products as natural as you can and let them do their thing.”

Today’s consumer is fortunate to have real, raw, natural alternatives when choosing a skincare product. We can even find formulas that contain certified organic ingredients that are grown by biodynamic farmers which, for those of you that are concerned about mother earth, is considered the “original organic” method. This super-natural process is not just great for growing healthy foods but the beauty business is also benefiting from it, yielding uber-ingredients to natural skincare formulations. If you commit to organic skincare and body care, you can help keep toxic chemicals out of our soil and water as well as off of your skin.

Those of us with sensitive skin realize what a threat mainstream skincare products can be to our beauty. Anyone that’s had an allergic reaction to an ingredient looks hard to identify and avoid it. What we aren’t certain of are the effect some skincare ingredients, like parabens and sulfates , can have on our health. The good news is we can find natural skincare products that are free of ingredients like GMOs, parabens, detergents, sulfates, artificial colors, perfumes and are cruelty-free. As a nod to our planet, you can also find packages that are recyclable, hand-washable, composed of recycled materials and reusable. Select products are also available with naturally grown berries, leaves, flowers, seeds, or plants that are gathered from where they naturally grow called, wild-harvested or wild-crafted. Such harvesting is done to preserve the habitat of flora and fauna but can also produce skincare products with powerful antioxidant properties and revitalizing aromatherapy. Green Beauty and organic skincare alternatives are even available for Vegans, looking to protect animals and the environment, with formulations that use no animal-derived ingredients. So practicing vegans can be true to their philosophy, honor their life-choice, and still face the world with beautiful skin.

Being good to the environment is important and so is being good to ourselves. Remember that your body is a natural, organic living entity and it’s only logical that your health and appearance would benefit from eating organic foods and choosing natural skincare products. With the growing awareness of the importance of organic skincare, it’s easier than ever to make eco-friendly choices that your skin will celebrate. Let nature nourish us and pay attention to what’s put in our bodies and what’s put on them.

Herbs and Oil, Pure Ingredients for Beauty

When you consider herbs and oil, you may first think of salad dressing. While it’s true that these ingredients are delicious on a salad, they are also very effective natural beauty alternatives. Long before a department store cosmetics counter, women were concerned about their appearance. Evidence of beauty products has been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 4,000 BC and there’s been detailed cosmetic rituals recorded in ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Hittite, Greek, and Roman literature. Our ancestors used, among other preparations, various herbs and oils. These timeless products can compete with many products in today’s mainstream market and are a pure and organic approach to natural beauty.

A popular example of an herb being used on the skin is green tea. It is a natural antiseptic and has calming, soothing properties. Chamomile makes a relaxing cup of tea and helps relieve puffiness around the eyes. Tea tree oil is great for the hair and is very effective at ridding the scalp of general bacteria, dandruff, and hair lice. Jojoba oil, extracted from the plant, is also good for the scalp, skin, and hair. Some products promote the fact that they contain jojoba oil. However, it’s better to simply buy the raw oil and eliminate unnecessary filler ingredients. Castor oil is pressed from castor beans that origin in Africa. The famed Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, is known for both attracting Romans and her shiny raven-colored hair. Royal records show that she regularly applied castor oil to her hair and rubbed sweet almond oil into her skin. Who wouldn’t want to follow the beauty rituals of a queen that’s been immortalized for her allure? Sweet almond oil has no scent and can be directly applied to the skin. It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy residue, and contains the nutritious hair and skin vitamins: E, A, D and B. Women in Spain swear by almond oil and it has been an integral part of their skincare regime for centuries.

Basil is wonderful in a pesto sauce but even better on your face. It has antiseptic properties and improves the appearance of scars and black spots. Rosemary is not only tasty on small red potatoes but improves circulation, especially on older, wrinkled skin. It can also help clear acne naturally and give shine to dull hair. Another herb often found in a spice cabinet, which should also be in the bathroom closet, is Thyme. It is a fantastic natural exfoliate. Something not as mainstream yet used in countries around the world is Neem. Neem is sold as a powder, oil, or pill and used to treat skin disorders such as: acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be a regular skin cleanser and is supposed to be effective in reducing odor. A powerful herb that can be used to achieve bright glowing skin is the Turmeric root (in powder form). It is an organic antibiotic that is excellent for oily, acne-prone skin and a key ingredient in many face masks. Turmeric stabilizes the skin’s pH balance and gives it a luminous glow. It will tighten and brighten the skin, while naturally lightening pigmentation. Primrose oil is extracted from the plant and helps encourage healthy nails, hair and skin. It can be found in most organic markets which carry essential oils. Another herbal treatment is Saw Palmetto, which originates from the berries of a particular type of palm tree. Its beauty purpose is primarily a scalp treatment but some use it to treat skin conditions and other ailments. An article in Women’s Health magazine told us that 53% of women in Italy believe that they look younger than their age. This healthy attitude can in part be attributed to their use of olive oil. Olive oil has been used in Mediterranean beauty rituals for over 4,000 years. It is an extraordinary hair conditioner and likely right in most people’s pantry.

When outside of the kitchen, herbs are known for healing properties and being part of a sachet. However, herbs should also enjoy a reputation as beautifiers. Oils shouldn’t just be thought of a cooking ingredient but as an important part of a healthy beauty regime. Nature has given us raw materials for health, wellness and yes, beauty. Mainstream companies have recognized this and include herbs, oils and plant-based ingredients in their products. However, nature’s ingredients are often accompanied by man’s potentially harmful preservatives and you’re also paying for their processing, packaging, and marketing. If you want to achieve a natural beauty, consider the pure herbs and oils recognized by our ancestors and used by gorgeous woman around the world today– they are inexpensive, effective and timeless.