Sunday, November 2, 2008

A Look at Herbal Skin Care Products

By Lindelwa Maseko

Skin care is not something new as it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. The skin care market changed forever when chemical based products became available which have taken over the skin care market from herbal products. Not only have many of the recipes been lost but herbal products are not as popular as they once were as science has gradually changed people's attitudes towards skin care.

There are a number of reasons why we have gradually turned our backs on natural skin care products but probably the biggest is the huge commercial market which herbal preparations could never keep up with. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialized and many commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home.

It seems that increasing numbers of people are becoming more discerning and using herbal skin care products again from companies that are specializing in making small batches of these products. Still it will never be a huge market an as no-one really wants to make them in their own home, commercial products are likely to continue; below are a few that you may or may not know of.

Aloe vera is probably the best known which is an extract from Aloe plant and is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product plus freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps to heal cuts, treat sun burns and in soothing skin. Other household herbs like dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary are good at cleansing but usually when they are in combination with other herbs.

To protect from infection and help the skin, the herbs lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel can be used, all of which have antiseptic properties. Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care and tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Many herbal products contain oils taken from the plants themselves in diluted and undiluted for like tea tree, primrose and lavender oils. Certain skin conditions can also be helped with oils extracted from plants in herbal skin care preparations.

The best thing about herbal products is there are few if any side effects and if you have the incentive, they can also be made at home. Despite the apparent love for all things herbal, whether mass produced or not, there are occasions when a synthetic skin care preparation may be better than a herbal one.

We all need to look after our skin by whatever means we can as it is the main barrier against disease and takes a great deal of punishment in the modern climate we all live in. - 15465

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