Did you know that your skin absorbs up to 60 percent of the products or substances you apply? This is great news if the products you are using are all-natural, but what about the products containing synthetic ingredients? Are they really harmless, or could they be causing unseen damage? Are they even effective at all?
Ask yourself: If you wouldn't put it in your mouth, why put it on your skin? This is a question more and more people are asking when choosing skin care products.
If you'd rather avoid commercial beauty products that are packed with fragrances, preservatives, artificial color and stabilizers, Mother Nature has some wonderful skin treats for you that are totally harmless, but which deliver excellent results. Here are some of the best natural ingredients you can use to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and brighten your skin without worrying about harmful ingredients or effects.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconuts are the wonder product of the decade, and their popularity shows no signs of stopping. Used in cooking, hair care, beverages and skin care, coconut is one of the most versatile natural ingredients on the planet. When it comes to your beauty regime, coconut oil offers so many uses. You may already know that coconut oil is a great moisturizer for the skin and hair, but did you also know that it has antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties? A little oil goes a long way too, and can be used to prevent razor burn and heal minor cuts and grazes.
Mixed with sea salt, coconut oil makes one of the most affordable and exotic exfoliators you can use, and it can be used on the face and body to get rid of dulling skin cells. The result is a beauty product that is good enough to eat, and which leaves your skin glowing and smelling beautiful.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Out of all the essential oils, lemon oil is the most versatile. This vibrant and fresh natural ingredient is a great little all-rounder for your skin care regime. When used with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, it can be applied directly to the skin and used to brighten and lighten the complexion, fight wrinkles and give the pores a deep cleanse. It's also a great cellulite buster, and can be applied in a carrier oil to problem areas such as the hips, thighs and the backs of the arms.
3. Sea Salt
Most people have sea salt in the home, and it's another of nature's miracles when it comes to skin care. Packed with fabulous ingredients such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium direct from the world's oceans, sea salt is a great way to restore, balance and protect the skin. In fact, it contains many of the minerals that are already in our skin cells.
Celtic and Himalayan sea salts are bursting with natural goodness, and make very effective scrubs and cleansers. Try mixing 3 teaspoons of raw honey with 1 teaspoon of sea salt for a natural cleansing scrub. Gently rub into the skin in a circular motion, and then rinse to reveal soft, glowing skin.
Be sure to check out our Ocean Mineral Toner to really elevate your skincare routine.
4. French Green Clay
Clays have been used in beauty regimes for thousands of years, and offer a wide range of benefits. No beauty list would be complete without a mention of an anti-aging treatment, and French green clay will help you to regain beautifully smooth and soft skin just glowing with youth and vitality. The secret of this magical ingredient lies in the pure minerals it contains. Skin care doesn't get any more natural than this, especially when you only need water to activate its cleansing, toning and moisturizing properties.
5. Vitamins for Skin Care
We've talked about natural ingredients that you apply to the skin, but what about vitamins? Can they play a part in our skin care routine too? The answer is yes, and from both the inside and out. Research shows that no matter how many healthy foods you eat, the body can only deliver a percentage of vitamins directly to the skin. Plus, the body doesn't know which areas to target, such as laughter lines or brown spots.
The good news is that there are topical vitamin serums that you can apply directly to these problem areas, and which give the skin the boost it needs. Vitamin C Serum, for example, when applied before your sunscreen, can help to mop up those damaging free radicals responsible for sagging and wrinkling. This wonder vitamin can also help to firm and smooth the skin and tackle those brown spots.
Vitamin B3 serum, also known as niacinamide serum, is responsible for the creation of fatty acids and ceramides in the skin -- in other words, the components that help to keep your skin looking firm and supple. If your complexion is particularly sensitive or dry, natural products containing B3 are a worthwhile investment. Vitamin B3 has also been shown to improve redness conditions such as rosacea and blushing, and to minimize brown spots.
Give Your Skin the Natural Touch
Mother Nature has blessed us with a wealth of skin care ingredients that are easily obtainable and a joy to use. No matter what your skin type, or whether you need to combat a particular skin care problem, there are pure and natural ingredients waiting to be discovered. What will your new beauty regime include?