| Ingredient |
Definition and Skin care Information |
|
| Arrowroot |
Arrowroot is a starch flour made from the root of the manoic plant. It is typically used in cooking but in skin care recipes it helps to dry up blemishes |
| Avocado |
An Advacodo is a pear-shaped tropical fruit with green or blackish skin and rich yellowish pulp enclosing a single large seed. In skin care recipes it helps to moisturize. Avocado oil is highly therapeutic oil rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. Skin problems, especially eczema, are reputed to respond well to it high vitamin content. |
| Barley |
Barley is a grain and is used in a number of ways bur usually foodstuffs. It is commonly used in skin care recipes to help reduce spots and is known to refine pores and retard wrinkles. |
| Beet |
Beet a large bulbous edible root and in skin care recipes it is used to moisturize the skin. |
| Benzoin |
Benzoin is a natural preservative and used in many skin creams and lotions. It is mainly used to treat skin irritation and is an effective treatment for chapped skin. |
| Borax |
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. It can be used as a skin softener or cleanser. In skin care recipes it is used and an emulsifier. Borax is more widely known as a bleach. |
| Bran |
Bran is the broken husks of the seeds of cereal grains and a waste product of flour production. It's main use was as an animal feed until the 1970's when it was discovered that it would be a beneficial addition to our diet (and for which it is more widely known for today). When used in skin care recipes it helps to tighten large pores and combat dry skin. |
| Carrot |
A carrot is a root vegetable. It is a good source of Vitamin A and used in skin care recipes and remedies as it moisturizes. |
| Castor Oil |
Castor Oil is derived from the Castor bean. It is rich in fatty acids which, when used as part of a skin care recipe, has a very moisturizing quality. It can also relieve itching, fade brown spots and is also used as an eyelash treatment. |
| Chamomile |
Chamomile is a daisy like plant that has proven anti-inflammatory effects. It is extremely effective in soothing skin, especially eczema amd allergic reactions. Widely used in skin toners for all types of complexions. |
| Cocoa Butter |
Cocoa butter is the creamy, rich fat obtained from the seeds of the cocoa plant. When refined it can help soothe skin dramatically. In skin care recipes it can be used as a cleanser and moisturizer but is used widely in a wide range of skincare products such as soap, creams, balms and lotions. |
| Corn Syrup |
Corn Syrup is made from cornstarch and is the most common syrup available. When used in a skin care recipe it acts as a Humectant (moisturizer/holds moisture to skin/helps speed moiturization to the skin.) but unfortunately is is best used in fresh recipes as it has a limited "shelf life" and tends to crystalize. |
| Cornmeal |
Cornmeal is ground corn (maize). and is useful in skin care as it refines pores. |
| Cornstarch |
Cornmeal is the starch that is extracted from wheat or corn. In skin care recipes it is used as a natural thickener for creams, lotions,
masksand as a body powder. |
| Cucumber |
A Cucumber is a melon vine of the genus Cucumis. It is known for its astringent and soothing effects but as an extract it has anti-inflammatory actions and skin tightening properties. Effective in reducing under-eye puffiness and
wrinkles. |
| Dandelion |
The dandelion is generally considered a weed but has many uses. The roots can be used medicinally and to produce dandelion tea. Its leaves can be eaten and the dandelion is among the most vitamin-packed foods available (vitamins A, B, C & D. Naturally high in sodium & potassium.) . When used in skincare it can be particularly sensitizing for some atopic skin types but may also be irritating in general. It also helps to moisten dry skin and has water-binding properties. |
| Egg |
Bird eggs are a common food source (most commonly those from the chicken, duck, and goose). Both parts of the egg can be used in skin care recipes as it conditions. The whites are best for normal and oily
skin; and the yolks are best used for dry to normal skin. The egg white also adds silkiness and tightens. |
| Elderberry Blossom |
Moistens dry skin |
| Epsom Salt |
Anti-blemish |
| Fennel |
Combats wrinkles |
| Fuchsia |
Soothes |
| Gelatin |
Thickener for facial masks |
| Glycerine |
Moisturizer; softener; emollient |
| Grapefruit |
Tightens large pores |
| Herbs |
Baths; facial steams; creams; lotions |
| Hollyhock |
Dried petals provide emollient action;
moistens dry skin |
| Honey |
Refines pores; tightens skin; moisturizes;
retards wrinkles;
anti-blemish |
| Lanolin |
Moisturizer; softener; emollient |
| Lard |
Moisturizer; softener; emollient |
| Lavender |
Soothes |
| Lavender Water |
Softens; smoothes |
| Lettuce |
Conditioner |
| Lime |
Acid; astringent |
| Marigold |
Dehydrates - can help reduce excess body
fluids |
| Marjoram |
Eases tension |
| Mayonnaise |
Cleans; moisturizes |
| Milk |
(including whole, skim, buttermilk, cream,
sour cream) Refines
pores; soothes all skin types; cools sunburn |
| Mint |
Stimulates |
| Mud |
(including clay, fuller's earth) Large
pores; oily skin; wrinkles |
| Nuts |
(almonds, cashews, pecans): Scrub to refine
pores, combat wrinkles, blackheads and dryness |
| Oatmeal |
Soothes, heals, relieves itching |
| Oils |
Dry skin: almond, olive, peanut
Oily skin: corn, safflower, sunflower, sesame
Any skin type: avocado, coconut, wheat germ |
| Okra |
Dried leaves provide emollient action |
| Orange Water |
Softens; smoothes |
| Pansy |
Soothes |
| Papaya |
Tenderizes; removes dead surface cells |
| Pineapple |
Cleans; tones |
| Plum |
Anti-blemish |
| Potato |
Reduces under-eye puffiness |
| Rolled Oats |
Softens skin |
| Rose |
Has an astringent effect on oily skin |
| Rose Water |
Softens; smoothes |
| Rosemary |
Muscle stimulant; tightens skin |
| Sage |
Tones oily skin |
| Salt |
Invigorates |
| Strawberry |
Tones oily skin; anti-blemish |
| Tapioca |
Tightens skin; refines pores; aids sunburn
and windburn; demulcent - soothing to inflamed skin |
| Tea |
Soothes sunburn; reduces eye puffiness;
revs circulation |
| Thyme |
Invigorates |
| Tomato |
Unclogs pores |
| Turnip |
Reduces redness and blotchiness |
| Vinegar |
Refines pores; cleans; softens; aids
blemishes, itchy skin, and sunburn |
| Wheat Germ |
Refines pores |
| Whole Wheat Flour |
Thickener for facials |
| Witch Hazel |
Reduces eye puffiness; deodorant |
| Yeast |
Used in masks for oily or blemished skin |
| Yogurt |
Cleanser; bleach; for normal and oily skin |