Skin treatments

There are many products available for skin cleansing and treatment. Sometimes it can be difficult selecting the best one for the job. Natural beauty consultants or knowledgeable staff within the pharmacy and health food sectors will usually provide helpful information and advice, but before shopping around for organic skin care products, it helps to know what you’re after and why you’re after it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common skin care treatments.

Cream cleansers are among the safest and most effective skin care products available. They work with a combined action, suspending both oil and water based particles. Oily secretions are gently lifted then held in an oil based emulsion while water based secretions are safely captured in a watery emulsion.

The unique feel of a good cream cleanser is dependent on the quality and combining properties of the primary ingredients. Some of the well known brands will contain mineral oils and additional synthetic substances. For health and environmental reasons, these should be avoided wherever possible. Look for organic products which contain natural substances such as cold pressed vegetable oils, spring water, herbal extracts, and beeswax.

Liquid facial washes are designed to gently dissolve dirt, sweat, and other deposits which have accumulated on the skin’s surface. The great majority of these are soap based and likely to cause irritation, particularly for sensitive skin and situations of frequent use. By choosing unscented washes, the likelihood of an adverse reaction can be reduced.

Cleansing bars contain mild soap in addition to moisturising and soothing oils. The good ones are usually manufactured in small quantities and can be quite expensive. They are generally suitable for normal, combination, and oily skin types but less so for dry and sensitive skins on account of their soap content.

Moisturising cream forms a protective barrier that prevents moisture escaping from the exterior layers of skin. Natural moisturisers contain ingredients like almond oil, aloe vera, beeswax, honey, jojoba oil, and various essential oils including lavender, rose, and ylang ylang. Nowadays, It is very common for a moisturiser to contain ingredients such as ultra violet filters, vitamins, and flavonoids. The nutrients can improve the condition of dry or damaged skin while ultra violet filters will provide additional sun protection. Be wary of moisturising creams which promise skin rejuvenation or the elimination of wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing. These outcomes inevitably depend on a combination of lifestyle factors that cannot be distilled in a single product.

Mask and body packs consist of a concentrated mixture of ingredients that have been selected for their cleansing and healing properties. Due to their fine consistency and absorptive capacities, some varieties of natural mud and clay are particularly suitable as the base ingredient for deep cleansing masks. Nutrient rich masks are frequently prescribed to treat mild skin complaints including eczema, boils, sensitivity, and dryness. These will usually contain herbal extracts with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, soothing, and protective actions. The list of suitable herbs includes camomile, echinacea, elderflower, horsetail, jasmine, lavender, marshmallow, and yarrow. Whenever possible, try to choose products that contain organically certified ingredients.

Astringents refresh and invigorate the skin. Most commercial varieties contain high percentages of alcohol by volume. These include toners for women, and aftershaves and colognes for men. Individuals with dry or sensitive skin should avoid these products since the alcohol has a tendency to sting and may dry out or tighten the skin.

Eye cream is a specific category of moisturiser, developed to protect and nourish the fine, sometimes brittle skin surrounding the eyes. Along with the neck, this orbital region will often exhibit advanced signs of ageing, when compared to the rest of the face. Regular moisturisers can cause irritation and puffiness, particularly if they contain chemical additives such as stabiliser or preservative. The formula for eye cream should be hypo-allergenic and based on natural ingredients.

Night creams are another specialty moisturiser. Clinical research has demonstrated that more skin cells get repaired at night than during the day. Along with an increased elimination of waste material, collagen production increases between midnight and early morning. An effective night cream should contain additional nourishment to take advantage of this situation. There are some excellent products which contain organic kelp extracts combined with cocoa butter, and vitamin E.

Facial scrubs are designed to cleanse and exfoliate with a single application. As skin begins to age, the rate of cell renewal declines. A periodic exfoliation removes dead skin cells which accumulate on the surface, making the skin appear coarse and dull. Exfoliation reveals a clearer surface and encourages cell renewal. Traditionally, exfoliation has been accomplished through mechanical rather than chemical means. In Japan, rice husks were preferred while people from Mediterranean countries used ground apricot kernels. Modern chemical exfoliants contain acids which break and remove dead cells with minimal friction. From an organic perspective, the traditional process is a safe choice, although once a week should be sufficient for most skin types. The natural enzyme papain, from paw paw, will exfoliate in a similar manner to the chemical varieties, without the associated health or environmental risks.