Nowadays, people are becoming more conscious of skincare. People are coming to realize that skincare is for more than just one’s appearance. As the largest human organ, the skin is an indicator and a major part of one’s overall health. So, if you take care of your skin, it can help take care of you.
With its growing importance, consumers are becoming wary of what’s in the products they consume and apply to their bodies. The presence of preservatives, stabilizers, artificial coloring, and aromatic ingredients in skincare products can potentially cause harm to one’s body.
As they learn more about chemicals that can have adverse effects on the body, they shift to more conscious consumption. Their answer to this dilemma – going natural.
Here are some gentle natural ingredients to feed your skin and help radiate that natural glow.
Coconut Oil Moisturizes, But Reduces Inflammation, Too
Perhaps the most famous and versatile natural skincare product, this plant fat, can do wonders for your skin. With its vitamin E and essential fatty acids, you can either ingest it or apply it topically on your skin which can help purge dead skin cells, fortify skin tissue, and protect the skin from sunburn. Coconut oil suppresses some of the body’s natural inflammatory agents. It repairs the skin’s barrier function to help it retain moisture much longer in fighting dry, itchy skin and skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
As an excellent antibiotic, the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties that can help protect against harmful microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, or even viruses that may have camped out in your epidermis, causing folliculitis, acne, and athlete’s foot. To top it all off, it’s even great for your hair and scalp.
Green Tea Heals and Rejuvenates the Skin
This beverage from China contains heaps of antioxidants, including catechins, epigallocatechin gallate, and flavonoids, such as kaempferol and theaflavin. These polyphenols help prevent and reverse UV damage to the skin and emphasize anti-aging benefits. Similar chemicals make green tea an excellent natural anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing ingredient in skincare.
Moreover, green tea has tannins like yerba mate, which work with the body’s amino acids to help regulate sebum production. EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate in this tea also helps rejuvenate your skin cells if some parts of your skin are dull.
Tea Tree Oil Treats Acne And Reduces Blemishes
Tea tree oil is an herbal anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal remedy that women have used to treat inflammation, redness, and breakouts. Applied directly to the skin, it helps combat acne, which may help reduce the tender pustules or inflamed pink papules, which are the inflammatory type of blemishes.
Aside from its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is an antiseptic as well. It is a well-tolerated ingredient without any side effects, which may also be used for other skin-related ailments such as psoriasis, jock itch, and cold sores.
Soy Brightens Skin and Improves Collagen Production
Aside from being a breakfast special for some cultures and families, soybeans can help aid in brightening your skin. Soy contains isoflavones, which are antioxidant compounds that play an essential role in reducing the appearance of skin aging. It also helps lighten discoloration due to melasma and sun damage by inhibiting the skin’s overproduction of melanin skin pigment. This helps keep skin look brighter and more even toned.
Soy further contains fatty acids and produces estrogens or phytoestrogens, which help keep skin plump and give your tired-looking skin a beauty boost. Soy also decreases skin redness — ideal for those with rosacea or irritation. It delivers a soothing sensation that calms skin down and is a perfect option for targeting wrinkles and lines without risking irritation.
Sea Salt Has Natural Exfoliating Properties
Yes, you read it right. You can utilize sea salt as part of your skincare routine. These tiny seaborne crystals contain trace minerals and nutrients, including iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and of course, sodium; such minerals are essential components of our skin cells.
Sea salts should be applied topically to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. You can mix them into a facial scrub with antioxidants like avocado and raw honey for better results. You can also try mixing up the ratios to find which mixture suits you best, although mixing one part sea salt for every two parts of avocado and honey may be sufficient for your needs. A word of warning though, sea salt can be sensitizing if left on the skin for too long, so be mindful of the time when you’re doing your routine.
In treating your skin right, you don’t have to spend thousands on a skincare routine. Sometimes, what you need is just around your kitchen. These cheaper, more natural alternatives will keep your skin safe from tons of chemicals that will do you no good. You just need to be consistent in your routine to make it more effective and eventually worth it.