Why Natural?
What would you think if upon driving up to your neighborhood gas station you saw individuals running gasoline through their hair and buying miniature take home bottles to use for hand and foot moisturization? Imagine if upon visiting a chemical plant you witnessed the employees jump into a huge Jacuzzi whose froth and bubbles were generated by leftovers from whatever they had manufactured that day. Regardless of how much or how little you know about natural personal care products, you would probably be reluctant to believe the hype about such products regardless of how it was presented to you.
Unfortunately, many such ingredients are being sneaked into your shampoo, lipstick and lotion. To add insult to injury, these synthetic culprits are being marketed to you in bottles that say “all natural,” “botanical” and “organic.” Unless you take the time to read and research the ingredients contained in your personal care products, you may unwittingly be feeding the largest, permeable organ on your body minute but regular doses of carcinogenic and damaging meals.
Potentially harmful chemical agents that are frequently added to conventional cleansers and emulsions (e.g. lotions and creams) include; lauryl and laureth sulfates (surfactant and lathering agents that are drying to the skin and hair), and various parabens and PEG’s (preservatives which are petroleum derivatives and potential carcinogens). Glycerin, which is a beneficial by-product of the soap making process is often removed from bar soap, then sold separately for more profit, thus further enhancing the drying effects of the chemical agents in the soap. Conditioners are usually a chemical soup with a small percentage of nourishing ingredients whose effects are rendered useless by the damage done by the synthetics, and leave a residue that causes product build up, necessitating the switch to a different product every few months. The most effective healthy conditioning is offered by homemade hot oil and or pre-wash treatments that can be left in or shampooed out. One fragrance oil can contain as many as 200 individual synthetic components! Essential oils are the only ingredient suitable for scenting a product that is made to be used on human or animal skin. Safe preservatives are neem oil, and rosemary and grapeseed extracts.
The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry in which the idea of using only pure and natural ingredients to nourish the hair and skin is slowly but surely gaining momentum. There are, however, many imposters and half-hearted attempts that are taking advantage of the all natural buzz. That is why the following information is designed to help those of you looking to make the transition navigate the waters regardless of what stage you are at in your quest for natural beauty.
Bar and liquid Soaps and Shampoos
Truly natural soap is made using fats and or oils, and a strong base such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The end product is soap and water, with the lye being actually used up in the process. When this process happens at room temperature, the resulting product is called cold-process soap. Some natural soaps can also be made with heat. The natural glycerin is left in the soap, and many natural soapers add botanical clays, herbs and essential oils to further enhance the quality of the soap. This results in a superior bar of soap that is both cleansing and nourishing to the skin. Natural liquid soaps can be used interchangeably for both the skin and hair. We recommend liquid castile soap for both, and stick to brands that are free of preservatives and dyes. Some soapers do have special botanical blends that are especially good for the hair.
Conditioners and Hair Treatments
Most natural conditioners work best before you wash your hair. They can vary from a hot oil treatment of blended base and essential oils, a mixture of clay and powdered herbs to a fresh food mask that can include ingredients found in your refrigerator like yogurt, lemon, avocado and olive oil. The hair shaft and scalp are porous and if allowed to sit long enough, (heat opens the pores thus allowing the treatment to be absorbed faster), the nutritious elements of the treatment remain even after you shampoo. This way you gain all the advantages of the conditioning without worrying about product build up. Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent hair mouse/ gel, that works on everything from the straightest of hair to dreadlocks. It gives hold without leaving the hair hard, and can also give body, while enhancing both straight and curly styles. Be sure to use only the kind that you can drink, as this contains no oils and preservatives, (other than citric acid).
Toners, Exfoliators and Skin Treatments
Look for toners that are alcohol fee. Floral waters and hydrosols (by-products from the manufacture of essential oils) are the most gentle and nourishing for the skin. Witch hazel is great for oily skin, lavender for dry skin, rose for aging skin and chamomile for sensitive. Oil based sugar and salt scrubs are excellent Exfoliators and moisturizers for the body. Use apricot kernel meal and or fresh pureed papaya or pineapple to exfoliate the face (or masks that contain these enzymes as an alternative to alpha-hydroxy acids). There are numerous clays on the market that can be mixed to suit your skin type, or you can just buy pre-mixed clay facials. Clay is excellent for extracting toxins from the skin and cleansing the pores.
Body Moisturizers
Most lotions and creams are emulsions of water and oil components. Any emulsion requires a preservative to prevent or kill off the accumulation of potentially harmful bacteria at the interface of the oil and water molecule. A high quality natural emulsion will contain natural cold pressed and unrefined oils or butters, and the water component will also comprise of other nutritious ingredients such as aloe juice or gel, hydrosols, floral and herbal waters to name a few. It will also use only natural and safe preservatives e.g. grapeseed extract, therefore the shelf life of such a product may be 3 to 6 months. However the advantage of the product is its freshness, and the assurance that the production happens in small batches and your cream can be customized.
Ingredients should be easy to read and understand. Pay heed to scientific or botanical names following the common name for extracts and essential oils, so that you can recognize them easily in the future. The best time to apply a moisturizer is immediately after a warm bath or shower. At this point, the pores are still enlarged and the oils will be absorbed quicker by the skin. Another solution is to give your skin a hot oil treatment. Melt 2 tablespoons (3 or 4 if there is a little more of you to love or if you have a partner with whom to share this special treat) of your favorite unrefined butter(s) (shea, mango or cocoa) in a double boiler. Add 4-8 drops, depending on the strength desired, of essential oils if you wish. Do not overheat, as heat may destroy some of the benefits of the oils. Massage oils onto entire body. The oils absorb quickly, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
Perfumes
The ancient art and science of perfumery is experiencing a revival. After decades of using mass produced, overpriced, synthetic fragrances, many holistic consumers are returning to the idea of wearing natural personalized fragrances. Be sure that your perfume is scented only with essential oils or natural resins (e.g. Vanilla Oleoresin). Usually natural perfumes are available as spritzers, roll on’s, or wax cones, flooded with fragrance, that you rub onto the skin.
Make up
Natural makeup is now available that does not contain talc, dyes or chemicals. Minerals from the earth are used for color, while natural oils and botanicals are used for texture. The end product is flattering, and hypoallergenic.
Additional Resources
The following are organizations and books that will guide you to businesses, books and products that are ideal for your specific needs.
All Natural Beauty, http://www.allnaturalbeauty.us or
Botanical Elements, [http://www.botanicalelements.com] or
Handmade Beauty Network, [http://www.handmadebeaury.com] or
Jeanne Rose’s Kitchen Cosmetics, by Jeanne Rose
Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions, by Donna Maria
Natural Beauty at Home, by Janice Cox
Fadzo Chanakira is a freelance writer that divides her time between Arizona and California, where she both lives and works. In addition to having written holistic articles for print and the internet on a variety of topics, she has a holistic business specializing in nutritional supplementation and truly natural beauty products called Alchemy of Beauty. Her undergraduate studies were in Kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. Fadzo also authors a free bi-monthly e-newsletter called The Alchemical Beauty News. She is currently working towards her Masters in Spiritual and Live Food Nutrition with the College of Living Arts in Patagonia, AZ.
She can be reached through her website, http://www.alchemyofbeauty.com or through the Ezine author contact email.
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