So what is herbal skin care?

Skin care has been around since ancient times and is a constant topic with ever changing headlines.  In ancient times herbal skin care was the only way to take care of the skin.  Beauty is ever changing but it always cycles back around to it's roots.  Today herbal skin care methods are coming back into fashion even though the majority of the market consists of synthetic/chemical based products.  We are seeing more of these herbal skin care products being commercialized.  These commercial herbal skin care products have to mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life.  This does slightly decrease the effectiveness of the product but unless you want to make your herbal care products at home, there has to be some give and take.

So what are some of the herbal skin care ingredients and what do they do?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapy also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Most herbal skin care products don't have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products).  So whether you decide to venture into making your own skin care products from home or you choose a commercial herbal product, you can see the benefits of the ingredients. 

Elizabeth
Morgan's Boutique
www.morgans-boutique.com