EcoCentre News

Basic Introduction to Natural Ingredients:
Natural ingredients are those that are obtained from nature and processed by means of physical methods such as extrusion, centrifugation, filtration, distillation, extraction, percolation, adsorptive techniques, freezing, drying and freezing and other microbiological methods.

Below are some key natural ingredients that are gaining predominance in the global natural skin care market:

Almond Meal: This is the ground extracted form of almond kernel that is usually used in face masks. Being rich in vitamin E, they are finding varied applications in skin care formulations.

Almond Oil: Excellent emollient high in oleic linoleic and other fatty acids that is considered ideal for the treatment of very dry and chapped skin. It possesses healing and moisturizing properties accompanies by a sweet and a pleasant fragrance.

Aloe: A rich emollient known to impart healing properties to damaged or dry hair and skin. This is a natural sunscreen that has soothing and moisturizing properties. This ingredient is used to heal cuts, scratches, bruises sore or irritated skin, for burns, sunburns and X-ray burns.

Avocado Oil: Easily absorbed by the skin, it is a good source of vitamins D&E, amino acids and sterols. Avocado oil is known to accelerate healing and is recommended for chronic eczema and other skin disorders.

Apricot Kernel Oil: This is nothing but natural oil derived from apricot pits. An emollient similar in composition to almond oil, it has a softening effect on the skin. It helps erase stretch marks and wrinkles.

Benzoin Gum:  A natural antiseptic and astringent with excellent antioxidant and preservative properties. It is known to promote healing.

Borage Oil: An anti-inflammatory, soothing oil high in gamma-linolenic acid, highly beneficial to the skin. Increases the protecting function of skin cells and reinforces the skin as a protecting membrane.  This ingredient is recommended in face oils due to its rejuvenating powers.

Cajeput: Reduces inflammations, good for sore muscles and rheumatic pains. It is an antispasmodic that is good for insect bites, oily skin and spots. This ingredient is held in high regard in the East.

Calendula: Known for its healing and analgesic properties, this ingredient is used to treat burns, cuts, eczema, greasy skin, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, wounds and varicose veins.

Camomile: This has been used since ancient times to treat skin problems due to its sedative and emollient properties. It is an ideal softening agent for rough or irritated skin. It also possess anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that makes it effective for curing acne, allergies, boils, burns, cuts, dermatitis, earache, eczema, hair care, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin and wounds.

Canola: Very light and odorless, and this ingredient penetrates easily, forming an excellent base for oil massage. Its high linoleic acid content prevents rancidity.

Carrot Seed Oil: Rich in beta carotene and vitamins A&E, this ingredient is highly beneficial to skin and hair. Topical application of the oil promotes the formation of new cells and stimulates the production of sebum in dry, scaly scalps and skin.

Cedarwood- Red: This is mild, sweet with a woody aroma. It acts as an antiseptic that eases respiratory ailments. It is used to treat acne, dandruff, eczema, greasy hair, insect repellent, oil skin and psoriasis. This is also good for arthritis and rheumatism. It possesses excellent harmonizing and calming properties but should be avoided during pregnancy.

Cinnamon Bark, Cassia: It is strong with spicy-warm resinous aroma. Stimulant, antiseptic and an aphrodisiac that is best used as an aromatic.

Citronella: It is a well known antiseptic, deodorant and insect repellant with a fresh and powerful lemon odor.

Clary Sage: Sweet and musky, clary sage is ideal for blending. It relieves and heals most skin irritations; eases respiratory ailments, relieves aches and pains.  It has unique relaxing and regulating properties that makes it euphoric.

Clove Oil: Analgesic, antiseptic and anti-irritant, this oil is known to reduce toothaches, arthritis and rheumatism. Clove oil is considered good for acne, athlete’s foot, bruises, burns and acts as an insect repellant.

Cocoa Butter: A super emollient that softens and protects chapped and dry skin. It softens pregnant skin and helps to erase stretch marks, aids in the treatment of skin irritations, and is used to soften and erase wrinkles on neck, around eyes and at corners of the mouth.

Comfrey: An anti-inflammatory known for its healing and emollient properties. It is also a source of mucopolysaccharides and allantoin, used in skin treatments. A cell proliferant that regenerates aging tissues with continued use.

Cypress: Cypress is used to treat menopausal problems, excessive perspiration, circulatory conditions, rheumatism and nervous tension. It is an excellent astringent that is considered good for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is an insect repellent as well.

Eucalyptus: Antiseptic and antibacterial, this fragrant oil is used in cleansers, massage formulations and bath oils for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and its cooling, soothing effect on the skin and scalp. It is an antispasmodic that is used for respiratory diseases.

Evening Primrose Oil: High in essential fatty acids and a source of gamma-linolenic acid, this ingredient is considered an excellent treatment for dry, flaky skin and skin prone to eczema. This can be used as a sedative as well.

Fennel: An antibacterial with a slight “tightening” action on the skin that is rich in oleic, linoleic and essential acids. This is considered good for bruises, dull, oily, mature complexions, cellulite and rheumatism.

Geranium Oil: An anti-fungal anti-bacterial that is used for bruises, acne, broken capillaries, burns, congested skin, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, oily and mature skin. This ingredient is sometimes used as a fragrant as well. An immune-stimulant and an insect repellant that is good for depression and nervous tension.

Ginger: A stimulant and anti-irritant with warming and soothing properties that imparts several beneficial effects to the skin. This is an excellent ingredient for bath oils and other cosmetics.

Golden Seal: An astringent and a tonic that is recommended for eczema.

Grapefruit: A tonic for depression and an aid in drug withdrawal. Good for acne, congested and oily skin, tones the skin and tissues. Good for cellulite.

Grape Seed Oil: Very light and odorless and this oil gets easily absorbed through the skin.

Hazelnut Oil: Possesses excellent nourishing and moisturizing properties.

Hops: An anti-microbial sedative that calms, tones and softens the skin.

Irish Moss: A seaweed high in sulfur that provides nourishing properties to the skin. It has been used in food and medicines in India for hundreds of years.

Jojoba Oil: This rich extract helps the jojoba desert plant retain water during the long summer drought. It acts as a humectant and creates a protective film over the skin and hair shaft that helps keep moisture in. Does not go rancid, so it is a good base oil for aromatherapy blends.

Juniper: Good for acne, oily complexions, hair loss, dermatitis , eczema, general weariness and nervous fatigue. It is an antispasmodic that fortifies memory.

Kelp: Kelp is a seaweed that has high iodine and vitamins A B-complex, C and E. This is a skin nutrient imparting soothing and toning effect.

Lanolin: The oils obtained from the wool of sheep, used as an absorption base in moisturizers and hair products.

Lavender Oil: It has sedative and antiseptic properties. It has penetrating, herbaceous with a clean fragrance that blends well relieving and healing skin irritations. This is considered good for burns, sunburns, wounds and insect bites. Lavender oil reduces inflammation in arthritis and rheumatism. Possesses calming and antidepressant that promotes clarity, enhances intuition and imparts a soothing tendency to the skin. This helps normalize skin conditions and is an excellent remedy for headaches and sinuses.

Lecithin: It is a vegetable extract that is high in natural fatty acids.

Lemon Oil: Lemon oil has antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It is used in cosmetics for its clean and pleasant fragrance. It possesses a stimulating tonic that alleviates oily skin and checks excessive perspiration. A tissue toner, that is good for cellulite and other skin disorders. It energizes, clears mind, relieves depression and refreshes the skin.

Lemon Grass: An anti-microbial and analgesic with antioxidant properties. Lemon grass improves circulation and digestion. 

Lime: Used as an astringent and tonic for anxiety and depression.

Marjoram: This ingredient is good for muscular problems, sprains, headache, insomnia, nervous tension and migraine.

Oatmeal: A natural cleanser and toner, its mild exfoliating action makes it an excellent addition to facial masks. It has a slight bleaching effect and is said to help fade or remove age spots and other discolorations.

Olive Oil: A natural sun screen, very emollient and good for sensitive skin and babies.

Olive Oil Castile: Saponified with salt, this becomes an excellent soap, mild and soothing to the skin. It is a natural emollient.

Palma Rosa: An antiseptic cellular stimulant that moisturizes the skin, regulates sebum production and is considered good for skin infections, scars, sores, wrinkles and acne.

Patchouli: This is anti-inflammatory, cell regenerator and possesses rejuvenating properties. It is good for skin inflammations, fungal infections, acne, wrinkles and eczema. Patchouli alleviates depression and anxiety by imparting a musty and woody fragrance.

Pennyroyal: A member of the mint family, pennyroyal is a strong purifier, antiseptic and freshener.

Peppermint Oil: An excellent antiseptic and astringent. An anti-inflammatory, it soothes and tones blemished, irritated skin. Peppermint oil relieves nausea, muscle & joint pains, cold symptoms.

Rosemary: Toner and purifier, with anti-microbial properties, beneficial to both hair and skin. Skin rejuvenator, general stimulant, invigorating, reduces mental strain and fatigue, promotes confidence by minimizing anxiety.

Rosewater: A water-based dilution of the essence of roses used in cosmetics since the 10th century. Used for conjunctivitis.

Sandalwood: Sandalwood aids many skin ailments, relieves cough and cold symptoms. This ingredient is an excellent astringent, antispasmodic and possesses mediating qualities.

Shea Butter: This is the butter obtained from the nut of the Mangifolia tree in Central Africa. An excellent emollient for skin moisturizers, a natural sunscreen, Shea butter offers excellent treatment for wrinkles and capillary circulation.

Tangerine: Effective on oily skin and acne as it contains a fair quantity of vitamin A.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of the Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia. This is a natural antiseptic and germicide that alleviates cough and cold symptoms along with relieving muscle aches and pains.

Vegetable Glycerin: A rich humectant, emollient and lubricant naturally extracted from vegetable oils, glycerin has been used in cosmetic formulations for thousands of years. The synthetic version is highly irritating.