An Introduction to Natural Skincare and Natural Cosmetic Ingredients, by Author: Hannah Walker

Skin is great... it boasts as the largest organ in the body, waterproofing, insulating, temperature regulating and allowing for all types of sensations. Skin does however need to be looked after, like everything else in the human body it can be damaged by our busy and sometimes unhealthy modern lifestyles.

It is important to keep skin clean in order for it to be radiant! It is also important to protect our skin from chemicals and irritants. Natural skincare products use ingredients derived from nature with natural skin benefiting properties like essential oils and flowers. combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers. Essentially natural skin care products are based around botanically sourced ingredients currently existing in or formed by nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals, which are manufactured in such a way to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.

Natural skin care is something that's been used long before people decided to start rubbing chemicals into their skin... it stems back to the 4th millennium BC in China and the Middle East. It is believed that the Egyptians developed many natural skin care treatments for a variety of skin conditions, for example one ancient treatment comprised of bullock's bile, whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, dough and resin mixed with milk... products have become slightly more appealing nowadays! In the modern age many people with unique skin types and needs - sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin - find that natural skin care solutions can give them the beautiful skin they want.

From mud to bark, natural ingredients offer many great healing and restorative properties and many have unique elements which make them so good to the skin, here is a taster of some of the more commonly used...

Jojoba oil comes from a shrub and is easily refined to become odorless and colorless, therefore it is ideal to use as a carrier oil or moisturiser for fragrances.

Rose hip seed oil is unique among vegetable oils in containing retinol (Vitamin A). It is high in essential fatty acids, omega-3, and omega-6. It can be used for a variety of skin conditions, including dermatitis, acne and eczema and as a treatment for mature and sun burnt skin as well as brittle nails.

Shea nut butter is a natural fat extracted from fruit of the Shea tree by crushing and boiling. Shea butter is widely used as an emollient in moisturisers.

Witch Hazel is produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub, it is a strong anti-oxidant and astringent, which is great for treating acne, and can also be used for psoriasis, eczema, cracked or blistered skin, insect bites, and as a treatment for varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Witch hazel can be used as a natural aftershave and hair spray for normal to oily hair.

Aloe Vera has great soothing, moisturising and healing properties and is one of the most commonly used natural ingredients.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil taken from the tree leaves. The oil has antiseptic and antifungal action, and is good for the skin, in particular the face.

Chamomile can be used in skin care to reduce minor irritation due to its mild antiseptic properties, it also lightens hair slightly.

These are just a few of the great ingredients that nature offers us. Not only do natural skincare products smell gorgeous and achieve great results for your body, one can use them happy in the knowledge that your skin is safe from chemicals and unknown long term damage... isn't nature great!

About the Author: Hannah Walker is a writer for scinboutique