This article provides useful, detailed information about Natural Beauty
Products
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the glamour and glitz of
modern beauty advertising leads many of us to believe that beauty can be
attained by applying a few well-chosen products. Though this may be true, in our
desire to be physically attractive, we do not think twice about the consequences
of using chemically based cosmetics. Applying these to the skin can prove
harmful, as the skin absorbs the chemicals from these cosmetic products.
Natural beauty products are safer than chemical cosmetics, because they are
specially formulated to protect the skin. They are relatively free of mineral
oils and drying alcohol, are not comprised of animal by-products, and are
contained in biodegradable packaging. They contain extracts such as grape seed
oil, borax, aloe vera, and cocoa butter, which help to moisturize and smooth the
skin.
Natural beauty products also contain ingredients such as plant waxes, tree bark,
extracts from flowers, and essential oils. It is proven that some natural
products can safely combat dermatitis, allergies, and irritations. Organic
extracts and essential oils from marigold and ginseng, when used in products,
prove beneficial for skin and hair.
In addition, beeswax, a natural wax derived from beehives, is valued for its
high levels of potassium. Beeswax helps prevent moisture from escaping, and
provides a barrier which prevents pollutants from entering and attacking our
skin.
Sometimes it may seem that the range of natural products is inadequate.
Fortunately, this is not the case. Natural beauty products comprise of a wide
range of products from scrubs, to balms and oils, liquid soaps, and massage
oils, to hair formulations, toothpastes and even mouthwashes. So the next time
you go shopping, look for natural beauty productsFeature Articles, which are a
healthier choice and can be easily found at local stores and markets.
Just How Natural is the Natural Ingredients in Beauty Products
It is probably the best to just make your own “natural” beauty products if
you want to ensure they actually contain “all natural ingredients.” There are
several good companies providing organic based ingredients to facilitate making
your own products. Natural cosmetics are easy to make in the home using nothing
more than regular kitchen equipment.
The market in beauty products has grown significantly in the last 25 years but
in the last 10 years there has been an increasing interest in the ingredients
contained within the lotions, creams and potions we apply so liberally to our
skin - the largest organ of our human bodies.
Many main stream manufacturers still include a range of not so natural
ingredients in their products:
- waste products from the petrochemical industry
- lead and other heavy metals
- products extracted from animal carcasses
Many of these ingredients are given scientific sounding names. While the cynic
may say this is a deliberate attempt to confuse the consumer, a more charitable
view is that this is done in pursuit of accurate labeling.
As a result of the heightened awareness of health matters and the confusion
concerning ingredients and labeling, a new sector of this lucrative market has
arisen, which is the need for natural skin care and cosmetics.
But just how natural is natural?
Many consumers require natural ingredients but are not prepared to accept the
necessary compromise in product performance. A classic example is with the
ingredient Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. This is a synthetic detergent derived from
coconut oil and it appears in a wide range of shampoos, bath products,
toothpastes and liquid soaps. It is what gives these products the luxurious
bubbles and lather to which we have all become accustomed. A number of studies
have suggested that this ingredient is harmful and many consumers now seek
products containing an alternative.
Manufacturers then developed Sodium Laureth Sulphate, which is considered less
irritating than Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. When this was condemned, Ammonium
Laureth Sulphate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate were substituted. Once again these
are synthetic detergents developed from coconut oil and they are still
considered to be an irritant. Some studies have also suggested they may be
carcinogenic.
Unless consumers have knowledge of bio-chemistry it is almost impossible to
discern what ingredients are natural and what are not. The SLS saga is but one
example of this confusion.
It is ironic that a number of "natural" manufacturers aggressively promote their
products by denigrating the products of competing companies - despite the fact
that the ingredients they contain are essentially the same.
Consumers need to make themselves aware of the real meanings behind the
mysterious names on their cosmetic bottles and jars and educate themselves about
the various aliases they are likely to encounter.
Depending on the reasons for wanting to purchase natural products, some
ingredients may be more acceptable than others. Take Lanolin for example.
Lanolin is extracted from the fleece of sheep. It has been shown to contain a
large number of chemicals used to kill parasites that may live on the sheep.
Many eczema sufferers find that treatment with lanolin based products - despite
the chemicals - helps to reduce symptoms. The benefits of Lanolin treatment
outweigh the disadvantage of potential contaminants. This is a value judgment
that individuals will need to make.
In conclusion, one of the best ways to ensure that your products are natural is
to make them yourself. There are a growing number of companies providing organic
based ingredients to facilitate home manufacture of products. Natural cosmetics
are surprisingly easy to make in the home using nothing more than regular
kitchen equipment. This may be an alternative worth checking-out. Essential
Natural Beauty Product Tips
Beauty is defined as the phenomenon of the experience of pleasure, through
the perception of balance and proportion of stimulus. It involves the cognition
of a balanced form and structure that elicits attraction and appeal towards a
host, creature, inanimate object, scene, music, idea, etc. It's as well seen as
An assemblage or even graces or even properties pleasing to the eye, the ear,
the intellect, the aesthetic faculty, or even the moral feel. Beauty is
the quality that gives pleasure to the mind or even senses and is associated
with such properties as harmony of form or even color, excellence of artistry,
truthfulness, and originality. A common understanding of the word beauty
suggests that it's the appearance of things and people. For illustration, we
call miss globe or even miss universe the virtually all beautiful female on
earth. Also a fully blossomed rose is as well called a beauty. Beauty can't be
measured, not can it be counted. It's purely subjective in nature, and its
comprehension changes based on data from perception set of individuals.
Beauty has always been revered from the time individual kind had developed basic
senses. We've heard of umpteen number of stories in history when wars utilized
to be inflicted upon for the desire of beautiful females. Beauty is all
pervasive in nature and rises above any discrimination of race, caste, religion,
etc. Many theorists and scientists have tried to deconstruct beauty into
even more understandable parts. 1 idea is to look at it from the point of see of
how much symmetry is discovered in the object. A few of the main contributions
in this regards are - The inborn inclination of people to be attracted to
symmetry coupled with the natural want or even pursuit of happiness leads to the
premise that symmetry is indeed the symbol of beauty.
Mortal beings are so engrossed with beauty that it's taken a awesome shape in
economy in the form of beauty industry. There are many enterprises and
organizations taking part in selling beauty products. These range from your next
door beauty salon to a multi-billion premium branded marketing organization
spread across 150 countries in the globe. Beauty care is a outstanding act time
and pastime for mortal beings, especially women. Beauty is perceived to offer
attractiveness and confidence. Beauty care includes hair care, face care, skin
care, nail care, proper diet, vitamins, etc. There are many therapies dedicated
to the cause of beauty care. Even more crucial among it is aromatherapy,
cosmetology, laser coarse of action, hair coloring, slimming techniques, etc.
Choosing Natural Beauty Products
All-natural and organic are catch phrases for advertising products that may
not be quite what they seem. So many personal care and beauty products claim to
be natural by highlighting botanical and herbal ingredients on the label. But
who has the time to really find out what is in their shampoo or foundation? It
may take some time and energy to find all-natural products, but it will be time
well spent.
Consider that every chemical you come into contact with, especially those that
go on your skin, can easily be absorbed into your system. Ask yourself if the
makeup you spread on your face every morning is really safe. With innumerable
resources at your fingertips, anyone can make responsible, healthy decisions
about the products they put on and in their body. Even if you don’t have a wide
variety of retail options in your community, buying natural beauty products
online is easy. You just have to know what to look for.
Be careful about packaging and advertising. Products can claim to be safe and
still have dangerous chemicals. Read the ingredients and look for warnings on
the package. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the FDA does little
to regulate ingredients in cosmetics, and many ingredients are not tested to
determine long term effects. You can check the products you use on the
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep report. This is an excellent resource
for finding products that have been tested by EWG and found to have fewer
dangerous chemicals. Educate yourself about what ingredients are cause for the
most concern and choosing safe products will be that much easier.
Many high quality products with all-natural ingredients can be found at your
local organic market. Online, look for websites that give complete and thorough
product information. A little knowledge about natural ingredients can help out a
lot here. The Skin Deep website has a tool to create a custom shopping list of
all the safest products in each category. Know which brands make the safest
products and try a variety of products to find those that work best for you.
Research and shopping around is worth your health.
If you are really ambitious, you can bypass the marketed products altogether and
make your own. Some of the most useful and economical beauty secrets can already
be found in your home. Baking soda is a natural cleanser and exfoliant. Apple
cider vinegar can be used internally and externally to improve skin and hair
condition. Extra virgin olive oil is the best natural moisturizer for hair,
scalp and skin. These ingredients can be used alone to clean, tone and
condition, or you can add essential oils for specific benefits. Store natural
concoctions in attractive containers and enjoy the savings.
Essential oils are indispensable in natural products, and can be used in a
variety of ways. While they are often pricey, essential oils can be used for a
variety of beauty and health needs. Most recipes only call for a small amount,
so they will last you a long time. Lavender oil is often used in aromatherapy,
but it is also good for the skin and hair. Peppermint oil, often found in
toothpaste and muscle rubs, feels clean and crisp when used in shampoo or
massaged into the scalp. It also has many benefits to digestion and reduces
redness and inflammation of pimples. Tea tree oil is useful for acne, minor
cuts, and athlete’s foot. A little research on the uses for essential oils can
guide you in creating homemade beauty products or help you pick natural products
based on ingredients. Natural Beauty Products - Face Masks
Nourishing face mask for dry skin
Ingredients
2 oz/60g ripe avocado flesh
1 oz/25g orange juice
1 tsp/5g pure honey
1 tsp/5g molasses
5 drops chamomile essential oil
How to make
Put all the ingredients in a blender, or mash by hand in a bowl. Add extra
orange juice if the mixture is too thick. Use your fingers to spread the mask
over your face and neck and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, preferably
longer, before removing. Use a warm flannel to rinse off the mask - this will
help gently exfoliate skin as well as clean your face. This mask will keep for a
day or two in the fridge if you don't use it all.
Honey face mask for sensitive skin
Warm a small pot of honey in a double boiler, then test a small amount on your
hand to make sure it's not too hot. When warm, apply the honey generously over
your entire face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm,
then cool water.
Egg white mask for oily skin
Ingredients
1 egg white
6 drops witch hazel
6 drops lemon juice
How to make
Whisk the egg white until it's stiff, and then add the remaining ingredients.
Gently apply the mixture to your face, avoiding your eyes. Leave to dry for 15
minutes or so. Rinse well with warm water.
Marie Antoinette's face mask
This wife of King Louis XVI of France was a legendary beauty. Many believe that
this mixture was the secret of her clear and glowing skin - so much so that it's
still used as a popular facial treatment in France. This mask is suitable for
all skin types, but the witch hazel and lemon can be harsh on dry skin. If you
indulge, be sure to use your regular moisturiser afterwards.
Ingredients
1 egg
Juice of one lemon
4 tbsp cup non-fat dry milk powder
1 tbsp witch hazel
How to make
Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix well.
Alternatively, you can blend them together by using a fork or a wire whisk.
Apply the mixture to your face, neck and chest and allow it to dry for around 15
minutes. Use the remaining cream as a cleanser to remove the mask. Then, rinse
your face thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.
Butter face mask
Ingredients
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 large strawberry, mashed
Or 1 2.5-cm (1 inch) slice of cucumber, chopped and rubbed through a sieve (for
normal to dry skin)
Or 1 tbsp lemon juice (for oily skin)
Or 1 egg yolk (for dry skin)
How to make
Beat the butter in a bowl, then beat in your chosen ingredient. Apply mask
immediately and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove with a wet, warm
washcloth. Butter is a good source of vitamin A, so it makes a perfect mask for
sensitive, sunburned or damaged skin.
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