You know what they say - mother knows best! And there’s one mother who is all giving, generous, and teeming with impressive knowledge - mother nature! She consistently provides us with an impressive range of chemical-free, 100% natural ingredients that will help your skin's health and improve your skin care
These gifts from Mother Nature offer a holistic approach to health and well-being by using natural herbs and ingredients over anything else.
While the skin care world is constantly pumping out new products, you can feel good turning to products with natural ingredients that have proven the test of time.
Read on to learn how to harness the powerful duo of Mother Nature and natural skin care for the best skin possible.
When shopping for skin care, do you play detective? Do you scan the product list and ingredient list to ensure that it is not full of unwanted things?
If not, you should consider doing this!
Why?
Interestingly, the word "natural" is notably ambiguous and lacks a clear definition or regulation, in the United States and globally. This creates a broad interpretation of what constitutes a "natural" ingredient.
To be a truly natural skin care ingredient, it must be derived from the plant, mineral, animal, or microbial kingdom. Experts in the field recommend only trusting products that have been verified by a valid third-party certification that confirms no chemical or synthetic ingredients are in the formula.
A third-party certification means that rigorous testing has been done to confirm that through the production process, there is nothing unnatural hiding inside. This offers more assurance about the ingredient's origin, production process, and overall integrity!
Always be critical, analyze the ingredients, and research to determine what is really natural!
The skin is seriously porous and will absorb what is applied to it. So, if you apply synthetic or harmful chemicals, these will, in turn, be soaked into your skin!
Chemical toxins found in many conventional skin care products can be harmful, causing damage over time. Not to scare you too much, but research done by the Environmental Working Group exposed that the average adult uses 9 personal care products each day, each with 126 unique chemical ingredients!
The Food and Drug Association (FDA) and skin care companies attempt to reassure consumers by saying that it can't be that bad in small quantities. The problem here? The actual long-term effect has yet to be studied.
Commonly disputed skin care ingredients to avoid include:
Parabens
Sulfates
Xenoestrogens
Phthalates
Formaldehyde
Triclosan
Fragrance
Despite only briefly staying in the human body, phthalates have been linked to various significant health issues, such as infertility, testicular dysgenesis, obesity, asthma, allergies, leiomyomas, and breast cancer.
Another nasty one is “fragrance.” Red flag!
Research from The American Academy of Dermatology pointed to fragrances as a leading cause of allergic reactions and causing dermatitis and rashes. Adding to the concern is a regulatory loophole in the United States: skin care and cosmetic brands aren’t required to disclose the ingredients used in the fragrances, citing them as 'trade secrets.'
This lack of transparency is troubling. What's also alarming is that many of the undisclosed chemicals in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals, including phthalates, which, as mentioned, are no good and recognized as endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, posing the highest risks for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Studies by the Environmental Working Group revealed that nearly 75% of fragranced products contain phthalates.
Due to this, many of these hazardous chemicals have already been banned across the European Union and other countries, highlighting the seriousness of it.
Positively, several large ticket U.S. retailers including Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS Health have made promises to move towards removing these harmful substances from their store brands completely in the coming years.
In contrast to chemicals, natural ingredients that are derived from botanical extracts and plant-based sources are designed to nourish our bodies, offering nothing but beneficial effects.
Our bodies and skin crave natural products!
By opting for natural skin care alternatives, you're supporting your body with good ingredients that work in harmony with your body, providing essential nutrients and improving overall skin health. Making this shift can benefit your skin and contribute to a healthier lifestyle overall.
Using natural skin care ingredients is great because:
It’s gentler on the skin: Natural skin care products are softer on the skin and are way less likely to cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions, making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
There are fewer harmful chemicals: Many conventional skin care products contain chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, which can be harmful to your skin and health over time. Natural products don't have these harmful chemicals, reducing your body's overall chemical content.
It has environmental benefits: Most natural skin care products are made with sustainably sourced ingredients and environmentally friendly practices. By choosing these products, you're supporting the health of the planet, too!
They are more nutrient-dense: Natural products are bursting with ingredients that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that nourish the skin, leaving it looking and feeling healthy, and fresh.
There are no nasty side effects: Did you know some synthetic fragrances found within skin care can cause headaches, allergies, and other sensitivities!? Natural products typically use essential oils or plant extracts for scent, for lovely natural and therapeutic aromas - without the side effects.
It offers a holistic approach: Natural skin care provides a holistic approach, focusing not just on skin health, but the overall well-being of the body and mind. No chemicals here, please.
You support important ethical practices: The majority of natural skin care brands focus on ethical sourcing and manufacturing practices, including cruelty-free testing, no animal testing, and fair-trade ingredients.
Synergy with the body: The ingredients in natural skin care products work in tandem with the body's chemistry, enhancing their effectiveness and providing holistic benefits to the skin.
Choosing 100% natural skin care products supports a conscious and holistic approach to overall well-being while benefiting your skin, health, and the environment.
Here are some of the top contenders for the best natural skin care ingredients!
Neem: With antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory attributes, Neem is beneficial for soothing irritated, acne-prone, and oily complexions. What happens when you marry chamomile, lavender, neem, and calendula? A luxuriously Hydrating Cleanser from Shankara that leaves your skin looking and feeling soft and supple.
Amla: Packed full of impressive antioxidants and vitamin C, Amla has strong anti-aging and skin-revitalizing properties
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera does more than help with a sunburn! It’s jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids, offering deep nourishment and hydration to the skin.
Saffron: Packed with antioxidants and carotenoids, saffron diminishes pigmentation, and leaves a lasting, sunny glow. Saffron also soothes and alleviates skin irritations, increasing circulation to rejuvenate skin cells. Shankara’s incredibly hydrating Timeless Moisturizer is packed with Saffron, leaving the skin fresh and supple, and is great for all skin types.
Turmeric: Turmeric alleviates skin redness, fights against environmental stressors, and supports skin towards a clear, blemish-free visage. It will brighten and enhance skin tone, and support a healthy, clear complexion.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a fermented liquid that has been distilled from apple cider and is readily available at shops! It positively stimulates the skin, and remedies dry skin with its soothing properties.
Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is an extremely effective moisturizer and balancing agent for the skin’s without clogging pores. Jojoba has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, too.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is full of fatty acids that hydrate and soften skin. This natural oil also has strong antimicrobial properties that support against acne-causing bacteria, leaving you with a smooth and radiant complexion. A perfect combination of algae-aloe gel and coconut oil, plus blue chamomile, and cucumber, Shankara’s one-a-kind Calming Mask soothes and calms sensitive skin for instant, cooling relief, easing redness and irritation, while the coconut oil steps in to nourish and hydrate.
Green tea: Green tea isabundant with antioxidant properties that help remove dead skin cells, toxins, pollutants, and sebum away from pores while reducing inflammation, and protecting against sun damage.
Shea butter: Rich in vitamins A, E, and F, shea butter moisturizes like no other and it also soothes inflammation and supports collagen production.
Argan oil: Argan oil naturally nourishes and hydrates the skin, improving its elasticity and reducing signs of aging.
Lavender oil: Popularized for its calming properties, lavender has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties too, supporting acne-prone and sensitive skin. Shankara’s very own Calming Body Wash relies on soothing lavender, alongside chamomile and geranium for a hydrating and cleansing feel.
Avocado oil: Bursting with vitamins A, D, E, and oleic acid, avocado will support skin hydration, while soothing and repairing it! Avocado oil is a great solution for many skin needs.
Hemp oil: Non-comedogenic and rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, hemp oil naturally moisturizes without clogging pores, while the anti-inflammatory properties soothe and calm the skin.
Honey: Honey seems to do it all for skin care! Honey can reduce breakouts, moisturize, act as an antiseptic, promote wound healing, alleviate allergies and rashes, and even help with reducing scars. Enjoy the hydrating and nourishing properties of Shankara’s Moisturizing Mask, which features an irresistibly soothing blend of honey, oat flour, and avocado oil that moisturizes and revitalizes dull skin, leaving it looking - and feeling - silky smooth.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal makes for a pretty great exfoliator, gently but effectively removing dead skin cells without irritating the skin's surface.
Licorice root: Naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, licorice root can brighten and even the skin tone while fading dark spots, supporting a very radiant complexion.
Willow herb: Known as a soothing herb, willow herb can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness leaving your skin subtle and soft.
Lemon: With naturally occurring citric acid, lemons are a great alternative for exfoliating for all types of skin.
Grapeseed oil: Lightweight and easily soaked in by the skin, grapeseed oil deeply hydrates the skin, without leaving a greasy residue.
Pomegranate extract: Pomegranate extract moisturizes and brightens the skin tone. It also can support the body's natural healing processes, aiding in sun damage repair, scar appearance, and other skin concerns.
Olive oil: Olive oil has vitamins A, D, E, and K, which hydrate and soften the skin.
Witch hazel: A natural astringent, witch hazel can tighten pores and reduce inflammation!
Bentonite clay: When mixed with water, bentonite clay forms a paste that can absorb oil and impurities from the skin, helping to detoxify and clarify.
Sea buckthorn: Containing omega fatty acids and antioxidants, sea buckthorn deeply moisturizes and softens the skin, improving skin elasticity, diminishing skin inflammation, and accelerating skin regeneration.
Activated charcoal: A fine, relatively odorless black power that holds a lot of power! Activated charcoal draws out and absorbs unwanted toxins and impurities from the skin, leaving the skin deeply cleansed. This is great to use once every week! Health and wellness tip: you can also put activated charcoal in water for added benefits!
Willow bark: A standout for reducing oiliness, preventing breakouts, tightening pores, exfoliating the skin, and hydrating deeply, willow bark leaves the skin firm, youthful, and refreshed.
Cucumber: Rich with water and antioxidants, cucumber moisturizes and soothes the skin, reducing puffiness and irritation.
Sage extract: Sage extract’s antioxidant properties shield the skin from harmful free radicals and environmental stressors, improving fine lines and wrinkles.
Chamomile: Famous for its soothing effects, chamomile can also promote skin regeneration, tighten pores, and slow down signs of aging.
Seaweed: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, seaweed hydrates and detoxifies the skin, inspiring a healthy, glowing complexion.
Papaya: Papaya softly but efficiently exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin underneath.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C brightens the skin, boosts collagen production, and protects against the sun's rays. Our latest addition to the Shankara collection, the Gheesutrā Face Emulsion, is infused with Vitamin C, 100 times washed ghee, hibiscus, and other carefully curated natural ingredients that will make your skin tone shine.
Primrose oil: Primrose oil helps create additional collagen which diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, supporting a youthful complexion.
Frankincense: Frankincense is a powerful force against wrinkles! It regenerates skin cells and rejuvenates damaged skin, leaving a stunning youthful glow.
Nectarine: Nectarine leaves the skin with a subtle glow, tightens loose skin, prevents stretch marks, and has antioxidant benefits. Plus, they smell delicious! Who would not want to smell like fresh fruit?!
Purple yam: Purple yam maintains skin firmness, helps heal wounds, and stimulates collagen production.
Vanilla: Sweet and fragrant, vanilla can diminish acne scars, treat burns, while slowing down signs of aging, and revitalize dull, dry skin.
Borage Seed Oil: Borage seed oils have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that treat conditions including eczema, acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. Shankara’s Fine Line Moisturizer combines borage seed, roses, and primrose oil for a hydrating cream that soothes the skin while combating fine lines and wrinkles.
Calendula Flowers: These potent flowers have tons of benefits for the skin! Packed with antioxidants and natural flavonoids that soothe and calm the skin, it's best for irritated skin.
2 tablespoons almond oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
5 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops of chamomile essential oil
1. Mix all the oils.
2. Apply a few drops to damp skin after cleansing and gently massage in circular motions.
1/4 cup witch hazel
2 tablespoons rose water
3 drops of chamomile essential oil
1. Mix all the ingredients in a small spray bottle.
2. Spray generously on the face after cleansing.
2 tablespoons bentonite clay
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 drop of tea tree essential oil
1. Mix the bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar until it forms a smooth paste.
2. Add a tea tree and mix.
3. Apply the mask to clean, dry skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
We already turn to nature for so many things: its grounding ability to calm, stunning sunsets, fresh water, and spiritual connection - just to name a few. With its strong harmonizing force, it just makes sense to turn to nature to give your skin the best treatment possible!
So the next time you're tempted to pick a chemical-based product, think twice - and opt for Mother Nature’s finest instead.
What is your favorite natural skin ingredient!? Comment below!
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