Given that most if not all skin products are synthetic forms of plants, it is probably best to go right to the source for the ultimate benefits. Ever since switching to “live” skin care, my skin has gone through miraculous changes. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy Revlon commercial, you’ll have youthful and radiant skin instantly. This sh*t really works. It’s the future of the cosmetics industry. Here’s what you need to know about the best plant ingredients for skin:
- Aloe vera supports skin regeneration, which is the process of renewal that allows your skin to become resilient to damage or disturbances caused by either internal or external factors. The key is to take the extract directly from the cut plant and store it in a glass bottle in your fridge. Your aloe should be replaced every three to five days to keep the ingredients active for optimal benefits. Use aloe as a morning cream for a “wake-up” skin boost, or apply to cuts and burns for miraculous healing.
- Shea butter is found in trees across the African continent. This powerful nut has major antiaging properties due to its five essential fatty acids, which stimulate collagen production, fade age spots, and neutralize free radical damage. You can purchase shea butter online or in health-food stores. Check out where the shea butter is extracted from. Depending on its location, certain benefits are more potent. For example, shea butter nuts harvested from West Africa are higher in vitamin A, which reduces stretch marks and wrinkles. Some of the best shea butter comes from Uganda and South Sudan, but beware because this purchase can hurt your pockets due to civil unrest in these areas. Use small amounts as needed for soft skin or as a light sunscreen.
- Avocado is rich in vitamin E, which protects cells from damaging chemicals and UV radiation. If dry skin is your challenge, try avocado oil, which quickly nourishes and moisturizes skin back to perfect health.
- Cucumber has its benefits if used both internally and externally. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, prevents water retention. The combination of vitamins and other antioxidants makes for a great toner. Cucumbers soothe and induce relaxation, woo-hoo! You can juice a cucumber and spray it on your skin to reduce redness and itchiness. For those dealing with acne, cucumbers are right up your alley. These green wonders also have silica, a building block of collagen, which helps to reduce wrinkles.
- Lavender comes from the Latin word for “to bathe.” It is antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. Use lavender to heal burns and cuts or simply to turn your at-home skin regimen into a fragrant sensation.
- Sea salt is amazing! That’s it. You don’t need to know any more . . . hehe. Sea salt is a natural detoxifier since it absorbs the toxins in your skin. This is another great way to combat acne, exfoliate your skin, and tone your skin.
- Coconut oil adds shine and hydrates skin. I like to add coconut oil to a salt scrub and to moisturize dry ends (just a dab will do if applying to your hair). What’s so fabulous about coconut oil is that it doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy once absorbed. Typical main-stream moisturizers contain lots of water, and once the water dries out, so does your skin. Coconut oil has a lasting smoothing effect. It can also be used as shaving cream. Yes, shaving cream! Try it out, yo. Just remember to look for the non-GMO label on the jar.
- Pomegranate is the messy forgotten fruit. Don’t let the hassle prevent you from buying this pinkish red marvel. Pomegranate is rich in iron, absorbing oxygen and transporting it through the skin cells, giving you a healthy appearance from the inside out. Applying small amounts of pomegranate seed oil to your skin has been proven to increase the production of collagen, preventing wrinkles. If purchasing the oil pinches too many pennies for you, then start juicing and drinking pomegranate on a regular basis and see how gorgeous your skin is in just a few weeks.
Mother Nature gives us countless ingredients to keep our skin glowing all the time. Remember, most if not all commercial products contain one of the above wonders as a foundation and are mixed with numerous toxic preservatives that do more long-term harm than good. If there is a market to make major moola, you know the company will exploit every last cent to turn the highest profit. So be aware, and make the conscious decision to put your health in your hands. Check out some great recipes to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
