A Guide To Natural Skin Care Ingredients
This article examines the ingredients which are commonly used in natural skin care recipes. Below you will find a list of various substances such as essential oils and organic materials, together with a short description of the effects these ingredients have upon the skin.
It should always be remembered that natural products and materials can be extremely powerful, so powerful in fact, that many aromatherapy practictioners agree that some essential oils should not be used unless the person fully understands the risks or, better still, that they only be used by suitably qualified personel.
Please Note: We have not listed all essential oils. Also we have not included warnings where there may be risk in using some substances. There is simply not enough space here to fully explain the risks and many oils which you would assume to be safe carry risks in certain circumstances such as peppermint oil should not be used by pregnant women. Please investigate thoroughly before you use any ingredients below and, if in doubt, contact a professional. Essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin unless diluted by carrier oil or another suitable substance.
Essential Oils and other Natural Ingredients:
Angelica: Strengthens, restores, and anchors. Avoid use in full sun.
Aniseed: Reduces cramping and indigestion. Do not use if pregnant.
Armoise: Emollient and muscle relaxant. Do not use if pregnant.
Arrowroot: Dries up blemishes.
Avocado: Moisturizes.
Barley: Anti-blemish; refines pores; retards wrinkles
Basil: Soothes and tones. Use sparingly.
Bay: Stimulates and energizes. Can irritate skin.
Beet: Moisturizes.
Benzoin (Tincture of): Natural preservative for creams, lotions; chapped skin
Bergamot: Conditions skin, soothes. Antiseptic. Photo toxic.
Bicarbonate of Soda: Water softener.
Birch Tar: Muscle relaxant, soothing agent. Do not use if pregnant.
Black Currant Seed: Relieves PMS. High in Vitamin C.
Black Pepper: Muscle relaxant.
Borax: Skin softener; cleanser; bleach; emulsifier when mixed with other ingredients.
Bran: Tightens large pores; combats dryness
Cabreuva: Calming, increases alertness.
Cajeput: Stimulates, mood enhancer, antiseptic.
Camphor: Soothes, conditions skin, muscle relaxant. Do not use if pregnant or epileptic. See Hazards, below.
Cananga: Skin conditioner, deodorant.
Caraway: Muscle relaxant.
Cardamom: Muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, soothing agent.
Carrot: Sloughs; moisturizes.
Carrot Seed: Muscle relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner.
Castor Oil: Relieves itching; fades brown spots; eyelash treatment
Cedarwood: Antiseptic, skin conditioner, deodorant, soothing agent.
Celery Seed: Toner.
Chamomile: Muscle Relaxant, skin conditioner. Tones all types of complexions.
Cinnamon Bark: Skin conditioner, anti-inflammatory. Can cause skin irritation.
Citronella: Skin conditioner, insect repellent.
Clary Sage: Skin conditioner, astringent, soothing agent, muscle relaxant. Do not use if pregnant or if drinking alcohol.
Clove Bud: Muscle relaxant, soothing agent. Can irritate skin.
Cocoa Butter: Cleanser; dry skin moisturizer.
Copaiba Balsam: Increases circulation, reduces stress.
Coriander: Muscle relaxant, soothing agent. Use sparingly.
Corn Syrup: Humectant - holds moisture to skin.
Cornmeal: Refines pores.
Cornstarch: Natural thickener for creams, lotions, masks; body powder.
Costus Root: Calming agent.
Cucumber: Reduces under-eye puffiness; reduces wrinkles.
Cumin: Stimulating. Can irritate skin. Use sparingly.
Dandelion: Moistens dry skin.
Egg: Conditions; whites best for normal and oily skin; yolks for dry to normal skin.
Egg White: Adds silkiness and tightens.
Elderberry Blossom: Moistens dry skin.
Epsom Salt: Anti-blemish
Eucalyptus: Antiseptic, soothing agent, skin conditioner, sinus clearing.
Evening Primrose: Moisturizes dry skin and treats eczema.
Fennel: Combats wrinkles.
Fuchsia: Soothes.
Gelatin: Thickener for facial masks.
Geranium: Skin refresher, muscle relaxant.
Ginger: Astringent.
Glycerine: Moisturizer; softener; emollient
Grapefruit: Soothing agent, astringent, skin conditioner. Tightens large pores.
Herbs: Baths; facial steams; creams; lotions.
Hollyhock: Dried petals provide emollient action; moistens dry skin.
Honey: Healing properties; refines pores; tightens skin; moisturizes; retards wrinkles; anti-blemish.
Hyssop: Soothing agent, skin conditioner. Do not use if pregnant, epileptic, or have high blood pressure.
Jasmine Absolute: Emollient, soothing agent, antiseptic.
Juniper: Skin detoxifier, astringent, soothing agent. Flammable.
Lanolin: Moisturizer; softener; emollient.
Lard: Moisturizer; softener; emollient.
Lavandin: Soothing agent, muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, astringent.
Lavender: Muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, soothing agent, astringent.
Lavender Water: Softens; smoothes.
Lemon: Soothing agent, antiseptic.
Lemongrass: Skin conditioner, soothing agent, muscle relaxant, antiseptic.
Lettuce: Conditioner
Lime: Soothing agent, skin conditioner, acid, astringent.
Mandarin: Soothing agent, skin conditioner, astringent.
Manuka: Relieves aches and pains, healing to the skin.
Marigold: Dehydrates - can help reduce excess body fluids.
Marjoram: Eases tension.
Mayonnaise: Cleans; moisturizes.
Milk Products: Refines pores; soothes all skin types; cools sunburn.
Mud, clay, fuller's earth: Large pores; oily skin; wrinkles.
Myrrh: Anti-inflammatory, emollient, antiseptic. Use in moderation if pregnant.
Neroli: Antiseptic, emollient.
Nutmeg: Antiseptic, soothes irritated skin, muscle relaxant.
Nuts: Scrub to refine pores, combat wrinkles, blackheads and dryness.
Oatmeal: Soothes, heals, relieves itching.
Okra: Dried leaves provide emollient action.
Orange: Astringent, soothing agent, skin conditioner.
Orange Water: Softens; smoothes.
Origanum: Increases energy.
Palmarosa: Skin conditioner, soothing agent, emollient, muscle relaxant.
Pansy: Soothes.
Papaya: Tenderizes; removes dead surface cells.
Peppermint: Emollient, antiseptic, muscle relaxant.
Pine: Antiseptic
Pineapple: Cleans; tones.
Plum: Anti-blemish.
Potato: Reduces under-eye puffiness.
Rolled Oats: Softens skin.
Rose Absolute: Skin conditioner.
Rose Otto: Astringent.
Rose: Has an astringent effect on oily skin.
Rose Water: Softens; smoothes.
Rosemary: Antiseptic, muscle relaxant, ; tightens skin, soothing agent, skin conditioner. Do not use if pregnant or have high blood pressure.
Rosewood: Muscle relaxant.
Sage: Soothing agent. Do not use if pregnant or epileptic. Tones oily skin.
Salt: Invigorates.
Sandlewood: Antiseptic, emollient, soothing agent, skin conditioner.
Spearmint: Emollient, astringent, soothing agent. Use sparingly.
Strawberry: Tones oily skin; anti-blemish.
Tapioca: Tightens skin; refines pores; aids sunburn and windburn; demulcent - soothing to inflamed skin
Tarragon: Astringent.
Tea: Soothes sunburn; reduces eye puffiness; revs circulation.
Tea Tree: Antiseptic, acne fighter, dandruff fighter.
Tomato: Unclogs pores.
Thyme: Antiseptic, toner, invigorates.
Turnip: Reduces redness and blotchiness.
Vinegar: Refines pores; cleans; softens; aids blemishes, itchy skin, and soothes sunburn.
Wheat Germ: Refines pores.
Whole Wheat Flour: Thickener for facials.
Witch Hazel: Reduces eye puffiness; deodorant.
Yarrow: Reduces scarring.
Yeast: Used in masks for oily or blemished skin.
Yogurt: Cleanser; bleach; for normal and oily skin.
Ylang-Ylang: Reduces stress and tension
More Information About Natural Skin Care Recipes:
