There seems to have been a shift in the last few years with brands trying to use more natural products in their skincare and beauty products – about time! Did you know, when it comes to our health, it’s said everything humans need is right there in nature. However, over the years this has been lost due to more and more man-made materials being created to replace and ‘better’ what nature can offer. It’s about time we started looking back to nature, especially when it comes to our skin. That’s where holistic skin care comes in – the practice of healing from both inside and out.
Wouldn’t you rather have products that helped, looked after and nourished your skin? Products that were created especially for humans from Mother Nature herself?
With that in mind, here are some of our top natural and holistic skin care products to include in your daily routine.
What Is Holistic Skin Care?
Holistic means practising healing, both through mind, body and soul. When it comes to holistic skin care, this simply means healing through the use of natural products to provide wellness to the skin.
However, this doesn’t just mean what we put on our skin. It also means what we put in our body that nourishes from within. You may have a great natural and holistic skin care routine, however, if you only eat junk food, your skin won’t be at it’s best. Make sure you include lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet on a daily basis. You could even do a juice cleanse to rid your body of any toxins.
So, what should you be looking out for in terms of natural products to be putting on your skin?
There are so many great ones that have amazing healing, hydrating and cleansing properties that will do wonders for your skin. I can’t stress enough how using natural products will make you look and feel so much better.
Here are a few industry favourites, along with the ones we also love to use on a daily basis…
The Benefits Of Aloe Vera
One of my favourites to use on my skin is Aloe Vera. You may have seen my recent post on The Benefits of Aloe Vera and what it can do for your skin so I won’t go into huge amounts of detail but here are my top points as to why it’s amazing…
- It’s great for fighting Acne
- Rich in both vitamins C & E
- Anti-microbial properties help to kill bacteria.
- Reduces irritation on Psoriasis and Eczema related skin diseases
- It’s high in Amino Acids and contains all 8 that the body needs.
Put some Aloe Vera on to a cotton ball and delicately massage it in to your face. Leave it there for around 30 minutes and rinse off with warm (but not hot) water. You can use this as part of your daily facial routine and it will help your skin look and feel so much better.
The Benefits Of Shea Butter
- Hydrates the skin.
- May help in reducing dark spots or skin blemishes.
- Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe skin issues.
- Helps fight breakouts.
- High in anti-ageing properties.
- Contains high levels of vitamins A and E.
Shea butter should definitely be in your skincare arsenal, especially if you have dry skin, or skin that tends to break-out often. It’s hydrating properties will not only make your skin feel moisturised, it can also help to reduce skin blemishes – great if you have any dark spots on your skin.
Incase you’re interested in making your own shea butter moisturiser, here is a simple recipe on how to make your very own.
The Benefits Of Lavender
- Eliminates skin degeneration – great for anti-ageing purposes.
- It helps new skin cells grow.
- Contains Linalool which helps to heal wounds.
- The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties fight bacteria.
- Antioxidants fight against the harmful effects of pollutants.
Another amazing herb to use in your daily skincare routine is Lavender. Well-known for it’s calming and relaxing properties, Lavender is also great for doing the same on your skin.
Plus, there’s also the fact that Lavender can also work as an antiseptic – healing wounds and fighting off bacteria. Try adding a few drops of good quality Lavender essential oil in to your moisturiser and see the difference it has on your skin.
The Benefits Of Coconut Oil
- Nourishes and hydrates dry skin.
- Coconut Oil kills bacteria.
- Can also be very protective against hair damage.
- Works as a natural sunscreen if put on and left to soak in BEFORE going in the sun.
- High in Vitamin E – essential for healthy skin and skin repair.
Coconut Oil is an absolute favourite for many when it comes to natural skincare. Whether you have dry skin, dull looking hair, dandruff, or even skin that just loves to break-out. Coconut is such an all-rounder that can be used both in and outside the body. It tastes great in cooking and baking, and works wonders on the skin.
However, just be careful if you intend to go out in the sun as coconut oil can increase your risk of burning. Allow the oil to completely soak in, or just avoid it, especially if you’re on holiday in a much hotter country than your skin is used to.
Also, make sure you get the proper coconut oil – un-refined and cold pressed is the best as it will be in it’s most natural state. It’s also likely to be more expensive than refined coconut oil.
The Benefits Of Peppermint
- Has a cooling effect on the skin.
- Calms inflammation.
- Nourishes dull skin.
- Balances out oily skin.
- Peppermint can also elevate the pain from bug bites, scalds and burns.
Peppermint is best known for stomach and digestive issues, such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or bloating. However, did you know it’s also great for using in skincare due to it’s cooling and calming properties. It’s such a great idea to use medicinal plants and herbs like this in your skincare regime. We use these ingredients for things like calming a bad stomach so why wouldn’t we use it to do the same thing on our skin as well.
Essential Oils
If you do decide to give any of these ago and want to use them in essential oil form, be aware essential oils can be very harmful if put directly onto the skin. Make sure you dilute them into a carrier oil first. Also, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure you consult with your doctor first as some can cause problems.
So there you have it, some great natural, holistic skin care ideas that can help you and your skin in many different ways. Natural products you should be using in your daily skincare routine to promote health and wellness.