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Prompted
by the positive trend toward healthier lifestyles Natural skin care
products are one of the fastest growing product segments in the world
today. Millions of people worldwide are making the switch from
synthetic, man-made products to natural cosmetics, natural skin care,
natural hair care, natural dental products and other natural personal
care products. Natural cosmetics serve to beautify and care
for the human body by means of ingredients from nature. This is made
possible with wholesome natural raw materials, friendly to both the
skin and the environment. Natural cosmetics should stimulate and
support our natural skin functions, offering gentle, wholesome care and
are thus an important aid to the health of the skin at any age. The
skin acts as a stretchable protective shield that prevents harmful
microorganisms and foreign material entering the body and body fluids
from leaving it, it regulates temperature, secretes waste, synthesises
Vitamin D and contains sensory receptors that respond to heat, cold,
touch, pressure and pain. The skin is composed of two distinct
regions the epidermis (the outermost protective layer of the body) and
the dermis (composed of fibrous connective tissue). The dermis
can be described as a semi-fluid matrix embedded with collagen, elastin
and reticular fibres. It is richly supplied with nerve fibres, blood
vessels and lymphatic vessels. Its highly vascular nature gives the
skin its warmth and colour. Importantly, the dermis nourishes the basal
layer of the epidermis. The epidermis, the most visible layer of
skin, is made up of a series of layers or strata. The deepest layer is
the Stratum Basale (Basal layer), where through constant cell division
new, plump, moist cells are produced. These new cells travel upward
towards the surface layer, the Stratum Corneum or Horny layer. This
cycle takes between 24-30 days depending on age. Young skins renew
faster and as we age, cell renewal slows down. By the time the cells
reach the surface they have changed from plump moisturized cells to
flattened waxy cell tissue. Our skin is an eliminatory organ. It
is a two-way membrane. Toxins are eliminated through the skin via
perspiration and absorbed through the skin into the body’s circulation
system, through hair follicles and sebaceous glands, but not through
the sweat glands. One square inch of skin contains approximately 65
hairs, 100 sebaceous glands and 650 sweat glands. Every square inch of
your skin is like a thousand open mouths, absorbing into the body most
of what is put on it. It is now recognised that the skin does
absorb many ingredients in skin care preparations. This is both good
and bad. Good, because it means our skin can be nourished from the
outside with some wonderful ingredients. Bad, because some skin care
manufacturers can use harmful chemical ingredients that would never be
allowed to be taken orally, but are still absorbed into our system,
through our skin. More and more people are becoming allergic to
chemicals that are being used in mainstream skin care products. The
main purpose of any cream is to keep the skin moist. Many conventional
creams form a suffocating film on the skin to prevent moisture loss.
Emollients serve two functions; they prevent dryness and protect
the skin, acting as a barrier and healing agent. Water is the best
emollient, but because it evaporates quickly it is ineffective. It
needs to be held on the skin by emollient oils in what is called an
emulsion. Synthetic emollients are occlusive i.e. they coat the skin
and do not allow it to respire (much like plastic wrap), which can
cause skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients can accumulate in the
liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing a
negative environmental impact. Natural emollients actually
nourish the skin and care for it. They are metabolised by the skin’s
own enzymes and absorbed into it. They are readily biodegradable and
are of edible quality. Utilizing essential oils in natural
skincare products turns them into a holistic blend of perfume, beauty
support, and medicine. The products become powerful allies in promoting
and protecting your natural beauty. The most common natural
ingredients used in natural skincare include plant and herb extracts,
homeopathic ingredients, aromatherapies, fruit oils and organic
produce. Plant and herb extracts used include aloe vera, which is a
natural moisturiser, floral waters which are natural toners, cocoa
butter a rich moisturizer, coconut which soothes dry skin, fruit
extracts to nourish, invigorate and hydrate the skin and hair. Citrus
fruits are popular natural ingredients as they promote skin
development. Other examples of fruit oils include banana, pineapple,
apple and melon. Organic produce is becoming an increasingly popular
demand, as chemicals & synthetics have been proven to build up on
and under the skin, resulting in allergic reactions and premature aging.
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