Pick up any women’s magazine, walk down any supermarket aisle, through a department store or even in your humble chemist, and it’s hard not to be struck by how many beauty products are on offer. Want to cleanse, tone or moisturise? How about soften, fight the signs of ageing, firm, sculpt, freshen or even whiten? Smooth, erase, correct, strengthen, repair? Phew. It can leave your head spinning. And does it even work? Or does it just work on your bank balance and self-worth?
More and more, people are turning to products with simple, natural ingredients to slather on their skin. Remember that the skin is the body’s largest organ, and we should treat it with the same respect we treat our other organs – we carefully consider what we put into our bodies, and so we should carefully consider what we put onto our bodies.
The Case for Natural Beauty Products
Ingredients found in many traditional skin care products are cocktails of chemicals and have been known to cause allergies. Some say that plant-based ingredients are better able to mimic the skin’s structure and support its health.
Here are a just few ingredients to watch out for:
- Foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are drying and may cause eczema.
- The various forms of parabens as preservatives are commonly found in skin care products and may cause rashes and other allergic reactions.
- Diethanolamine (DEA) is used extensively for its emulsifying and foaming properties and has been associated with allergic reactions and eye irritation.
- Mineral oil. Though it would be mistaken to suggest that mineral oil is not “natural” – it is derived from crude oil, which as we know, comes from the earth. The question you have to ask yourself is – do I want to put something that is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry on my skin?
- Petrolatum – same as the above.
It’s important to remember, though, that natural products can sometimes cause allergies too, so if you have sensitive skin, be aware of this and take care.
What To Look For
You will see many products on the shelves with the words “natural” or “organic” or even “green”. Remember that many of these are marketing claims and in many cases the use of these terms is not regulated, so read the labels carefully.
Or you could use the base ingredients and make your own products. There are plenty of plant-based oils that are potentially more nourishing, and you don’t get them at the petrol station! A few of these are:
- Avocado oil – the sterolins found in avocado oil can help blemished skin or reduce age spots and also relieve damage caused by sun exposure. It contains vitamins and minerals and can help increase collagen production.
- Olive oil – good on salads, good on your skin. It is a natural emollient and provides a barrier on the skin, helping it to retain moisture.
- Almond oil makes a great moisturiser as it contains olein glyceride linoleic acid, and also vitamins D and E.
- Sesame oil – often prescribed in Ayurvedic medicine (the Indian form of traditional medicine), sesame oil moisturises and warms the body.
You could also use things like manuka honey for its soothing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties in a mask or fresh avocado for its moisturising ability. Ayurveda even recommends using ingredients such as chickpea flour and sandalwood powder to make masks. It seems great skin can be found in the kitchen pantry.
Of course it’s important to take care of your skin from the outside but taking care of your skin from the inside is just as important. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, limiting processed food, drinking plenty of water and using the right kind of oils in your cooking and dressings really are the best natural beauty tips.
Essential fatty acids like omega-3s are vital elements in a natural skin care diet – they are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. They are anti-inflammatory and help the skin look hydrated and plump. Omega-3s can be found in salmon, sardines, walnuts and flaxseed oil, to name a few.
So when you’re liberal with the salad dressing, don’t feel guilty – you’re feeding your skin!
