THINKING GREEN: Alternative ingredients for skincare
THE plant is a symbol of life, and its healing properties are the key elements for growth and repair. The fountain of youth is before us all the time, yet we fail to see it.
Plant-based cosmetics are the key ingredients for most, if not all. As the microbiome is stripped away with harsh chemicals, a green alternative is the golden writing on the marble formulation table.
Topical bacteria
The new method of spa treatment is probiotic water treatments and customised yogurt facial treatments that can be used to treat acne, dermatitis, and other skin conditions. This topical treatment can also be used to treat photo ageing, skin ageing, and inflammation of the skin while reducing the need for topical medications that carry long-term side effects to the body and skin.
Dandelion & sorrel
Due to the high level of antioxidant properties, dandelion and sorrel make a magical marriage for skin. This pairing is ideal for cellular rejuvenation, collagen production, and evening skin tone. As an antioxidant facial treatment, this formulation is ideal to fight free radicals that cause premature ageing, plus it gives the skin anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits and beta carotene and flavonoids.
The scalp
The integration of ayurvedic methods is used to create topical dermatitis treatments with neem and frankincense, which are two ingredients with strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. These two plants are highly regarded due to their achievements through the centuries and are great for reducing the signs of ageing. They are two of the secrets behind anti-ageing formulations for cosmetic formulators.
Neem
Neem is a powerful plant with antibacterial properties. It is one of the key ingredients in the development of antibacterial and antibiotic treatment used by doctors. It can also be integrated into your shampoo to treat dandruff and be used to increase the healing of sores and scabies. In addition, neem is a key ingredient in the ayurvedic formulation that is practised in India, Africa, Thailand, and the Caribbean. It is used as a repellent for mosquitoes and as a blood purifier due to its ability to detox the body and improve the appearance of skin.
Lime power
We all struggle with unpleasant odour at some point. This can be due to pH imbalances or the deodorant that we use, among other things. Depending on the chemical formulation, deodorant can change the pH of your underarms, resulting in an unpleasant odour. The alternative solution may be lime. Lime can give 24-hour coverage, goes on easily, and doesn’t stain clothing. Additionally, the smell of the lime fades quickly. There are some individuals who have allergic reactions to traditional deodorants, and lime is an ideal green alternative that offers around the clock coverage.
Scarring & healing
Comfrey herb, honey, and kaolin clay treatments are ideal for repairing broken skin. Ganja and aloe vera paste is an alternative that can also be used in treating scars. Aloe vera is also known as the lily of the desert, and its healing properties help to reduce the appearance of inflammation. Coupled with cannabis, the hydration of the aloe vera helps in the final stage of healing (the remuddling stage), while the cannabis aids in inflammation. The integration of these two ingredients will help in the reduction of scarring after healing has been completed.
Professionals who wish to make eco-conscious choices about their product ingredients can look for green alternatives, including probiotic water and yogurt, dandelion and sorrel, neem and frankincense, lime, and more.
Richard Martin transitioned into the beauty and wellness industry after training in construction and pursuing diplomas in drafting and building from Heriot University Scotland. After working in construction and wastewater management, he decided to formally receive training and get certified in massage and general beauty therapy. Later, Martin earned a postgraduate diploma in education and training, with specialisation in sciences. He trained the first cohort of visually impaired massage therapists in this hemisphere and is the first male spa educator to certified by the America Hotel Lodging Institute as a certified hospitality educator in Jamaica. The transition from hard skills to soft skills has made him much more dynamic. His vegan, cosmetic-formulated and self-packaged skincare line is called Re-Genisis. This article was originally published by DERMASCOPE and is available on dermascope.com