Naturally beautiful
by Divya Nambiar - April 13, 2009
The promise of a beautiful body and skin prompts women to try a wide range of cosmetics on themselves. Often however, women end up making themselves guinea pigs. Every new advertisement encourages them to try a new product.
While the application of chemical based products yields good results in a short time, the cost is often long-term health.
This is where natural or herbal cosmetics come in. Women in Asian countries, like India, China, Japan etc have been deriving their beauty formulae from nature since time immemorial.
These products cannot be traditionally classified as make-up (though these days, many companies are offering herbal lipsticks and other make-up products).
What these natural and frequently homemade products achieve is a natural beauty that stays with the woman, making her glow even without any kind of make-up.
What Are Natural Cosmetics ?
Natural Cosmetics are cosmetics produced from ingredients obtained from nature. These ingredients may either use natural products directly or derivatives of the products.
The use of natural cosmetics is not a new age fad. These products have been used since centuries and with very good results.
Why should you go natural
Unlike some harsh chemicals used in cosmetics, natural ingredients do not affect the skin. Over a prolonged period of regular use of chemical based products, skin develops a harsh and aged look.
This does not happen with natural products. Acting slowly, they preserve the innocence of skin longer. In fact, informed use of potent herbs not only produces cosmetic effects but also helps cure skin ailments and hair problems.
Commonly used plant parts like leaves, roots, fruits etc. supply several nutrients to the skin. Essential oils of certain plants are renowned for their miraculous results.
Stay away from these
Many chemical based cosmetics, despite claims of being harmless contain 1,4-dioxane , a carcinogenic contaminant of cosmetic products.
Almost 50% of cosmetics containing ethoxylated surfactants contain dioxane. It is a known carcinogendefine, an irritant of the eye, mucous membrane and skin as well as a central nervous system depressant.
Acute exposure causes irritation, headache, dizziness, and narcosis. Chronic inhalation exposure can produce damage to the liver and kidneys, and blood disorders.
Anionic Surfactants
Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
Surfactants are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care products that foam.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Propylene Glycol (Antifreeze) 1, 4 Dioxane Dioxin are used in shampoos and soaps. Other harmful chemicals used in cosmetics include, Bentonite, Propylene glycol, Diethanolamine (DEA), Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Benzylphanone, Sodium benzoate, Glycerin Collagen Talc. Sunscreens contain Oxybenzone and benzophenone.
Going natural
Women have been using face packs with gram flour, honey, rose water and petals, honey, eggs, oils of almond, coconut and sandalwood etc for years.
Henna is used as a natural hair color and conditioner while spices such as turmeric, are used to make the skin tone even and prevent minor discolorations.
Fruits like papaya, peaches, apricots, bananas and vegetables like cucumber also make good personal care products.
Simple ayurvedic tips available on the net and magazines can give you a fair idea of household products to suit your skin type. When you want to pamper yourself, do not experiment, just look around.
Last edited by Rahul Chauhan on April 13, 2009 - 15:36 | Write to author: Divya Nambiar |
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