Herbs are nature’s bounty. Our body’s response to organic
substances is gentle yet very effective. The extracts of plants and herbs,
essential oils and tinctures have amazing protective and curative properties.
The formulations out of these ingredients have immensely beneficial effect in
cosmetic applications. Some have nourishing or cleansing active ingredients,
some whip up circulation, others refine pores, while some freshen skin, leaving
it soft and glowing. Organic ingredients help skin’s capacity to absorb,
allowing better penetration of beneficial herbal extracts.
The best way to stay fit, remain beautiful and healthy is to
benefit from nature’s bounty. With growing awareness of the benefits of herbal
ingredients, larger number of physicians, beauticians and cosmetologists across
the world are shifting to organic skin care products. Increasing use of organic
products is also due to visible harmful side effects from the application of synthetic
and chemical ingredients. Annual herbal medications and cosmetic products in US
has already crossed $ 3 billion.
There is a large variety to choose from plants and flowers.
New know-how has enabled manufacturers to present them in ready-to-use products
with long shelf life. Some of these are natural preservatives themselves while
others are hardening agents which have excellent uses for face masks. Many are
wonderful emulsifiers. Besides, fruits, vegetables and other plant extracts and
oils have their own fine aromas and fragrances. The organic formulations have,
therefore, highly soothing aroma creating cooling and calming effect.
Some of the herbs, known for their curative and beauty
enhancing properties are: Turmeric, Clove, Lemon, Amla, Gram Flour, Lemongrass,
Comfrey, Camphor, Arnica, Rose, Marigold, Sandalwood, Seaweeds and host of
Essential Oils. Most of these are antiseptic and germicidal agents, yet produce
soothing effect on skin. These have powerful cleansing effect as well as highly
effective nourishing elements. Herbs, like chamomile, contain emollient
substance that keep skin texture soft and smooth. Cabbage, carrot, almond,
date, apricot have wonderful nourishing ingredients. With rich vitamin and
mineral contents, these rejuvenate the skin, improve its tone and elasticity,
while minimizing wrinkles.
Lavender and Jasmine have essential use in aroma therapy;
vegetables and fruits are natural storehouse of beauty aids; apricot has
excellent rejuvenating effect; papaya contains enzymes that help soften dead
skin cells to be removed; potatoes contain skin-cleaning agents; cucumber juice
benefits the area round the eyes; lemon is a concentrate of vitamin C,
increasing body resistance to infection and used as bleach for elbows, heels
and toes, as a hand lotion, as a hair rinse to make hair shining; fuller’s
earth used as a pack, tightens skin on the face and body; sandalwood has
antiseptic and germicidal effect.
Herbal extracts are wonderful moisturizers which prevent
moisture loss. Plant products have natural enzymes which help cleanse the skin
of free radicals. So are other natural cleansers like milk and lemon. Extracts
of rose have been included in skin tonics for oily skin, removing impurities,
refining the texture and improving skin tone. Fruits, like peaches and
apricots, also make excellent face packs.
The oils from almond and coconut act very good massage oils for
skin and hair, bringing a healthy glow to the skin and hair. These also help
restore and maintain youthful appearance by controlling wrinkle and crease
formations on skin surface. Aloe Vera, used in most formulations, has wonderful
moisturizing and nourishing properties.
There are many more organic ingredients that have immense
benefits. Here are recounted only few that one can benefit from and which are used
in Herbally Radiant skin care formulations.