Our skin and hair absorb everything we put on them. This may be unsettling when one considers that 99 percent of skin care and cosmetic products on the market are not evaluated for safety by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Cosmetic Ingredient Review or any other publicly accountable institution. With 74 percent of all personal skin and hair care products containing carcinogens, teratogens, reproductive and developmental toxins, allergenic toxicants, mutagens and penetration enhancers that drive the ingredients of these products through five layers of skin to infiltrate the blood stream, it becomes quite clear that natural herbal alternatives to skin and hair care are desirable.
Herbal Skin Scrub
According to author Stephanie Tourles, using your own herbal skin scrub twice a week will slough off dead skin, revealing a bright youthful complexion; pulverize one part each organic rolled oats, dried lavender, calendula flowers and rose petals in a food processor and add one part cornmeal, two parts facial clay, and one part sea salt. Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight jar. When ready to use, take a small scoop of the scrub mixture and add one drop of rosemary essential oil and enough warm water to make a paste. Apply to damp skin with your fingertips and scrub in a circular motion. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Herbal Toners
Hydrating and toning the skin can be achieved by creating an infusion or strong tea out of lavender, rosemary, chamomile, rose or orange blossoms. Misting the healing elements of these herbal aromatic plants soothes the skin and refreshes the soul throughout the day. For oily skin, witch hazel can be used as a gentle astringent while a wash of antioxidant rich green tea may be beneficial for sun damaged skin.
Herbal Skin Conditioners
For very dry skin, make your own rich moisturizer by gently melting one part unrefined coconut oil, one part Shea butter, a quarter part sweet almond oil and a quarter part natural beeswax together. Add 15 drops lavender essential oil and 10 drops rose essential oil to the melted oils and let cool in an airtight container. For combination or oily skin, fill a small bottle with extra virgin olive oil and add 10 drops calendula essential oil, 8 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops tea tree essential oil and 2 drops rosemary essential oil. Use either blend on freshly cleaned skin twice a day.
Herbal Hair Tonic
To enrich and beautify all hair type with herbs, select high quality 100 percent organic hair care products to ensure purity. According to Jeanne Rose, rinsing hair with a strong tea made from rosemary leaves will add body and stimulate hair growth. Add chamomile flowers for light hair and calendula blossoms for darker hair for shine and resistance to breakage. Add a few drops lof avender essential oil to your favorite hair brush for added strength, shine, and emotional well-being.
References
- Environmental Working Group
- "Health & Wellness Handbook"; The SouthWestern Company; 2005
- "Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homeade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self" ;Stephanie Tourles;2007
- "The Aromatherapy Book"; Jeanne Rose; 1992
- FDA
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