Common Natural Skin Care Ingredients S-Z

Sage extract

Sage belongs to the mint family, which consists of several fragrant herbs whose volatile oils are valued by those who appreciate their healing value. Sage also works in decreasing perspiration. This is of value to people who live in extremely warm climates and also in deodorant preparations. The essential oil in sage is comprised of camphor, cineole, thujone and borneol. These put together are antimicrobial, which destroys or stops the growth of disease causing microorganisms, and antispasmodic, which relieves or prevents spasms. An antioxidant compound called a flavonoid is present to add to the antimicrobial action in sage extract. Phenolic acids are also present as strong antioxidants and explain sage’s ability to preserve.

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

Shea butter is known especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. It is also a known anti-inflammatory agent. Shea butter is marketed as being effective at treating the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis. Due to its emollient properties it helps in relaxing the tension in the face skin thus easing skin respiration.

Safflower Seed Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius)

It has a high content of unsaturated fatty acids but should be mixed with anothercarrier oil with good antioxidant qualities to increase the shelf life of this oil, since it can go rancid quickly. Safflower oil would be a suitable base to work from, but it is recommended to add other carrier oils to it. Safflower massage oil has great moisturizing qualities which makes it a good choice to include when mixing a massage oil or preparing a carrier oil blend.

Sorbitan Olivate

This is an olive oil derived ingredient used as an emulsifier (helps blend ingredients that can’t usually blend together) or to make a gel-like formula. It is usually used together with cetearyl olivate Sorbitan olivate can cause an allergic reaction for some

Stearic Acid (coconut source)

A fatty acid derived solely from vegetable oils that help the consistency of emulsions

Sucrose / Glycerlyl stearate (sugar emulsifier)

Plant sugars combined with plant oil fatty acids by simple, non-toxic processes to make a biodegradable surfactant and emulsifier. It is gentle to the skin with a softening, cooling, moisturizing and anti-microbial effect. Naturally, BSE and GMO free.

Sunflower oil

In cosmetics, it has smoothing properties and is considered noncomedogenic. Only the high-oleic variety possesses shelf life sufficient for commercial cosmetic formulation.

 Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a non-reactive, stable compound that has virtually no dermal penetration in tests. It provides a opacity and physical barrier which does not penetrate the skin. Titanium dioxide has a high refractive index and high UV aborbtion capabilities. Because of these properties, it is commonly used in sunscreen as an active SPF ingredident.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Natural Vitamin E and related tocopherols can be derived from many plant oils, especially wheat and soy. Vitamin E has antioxidant effects, which help to support the stability of other ingredients (oils, fats) in a cosmetic product. Especially effective is a combination of tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate. Ascorbyl palmitate has a synergistic effect and increases the efficacy of tocopherol.                               

Undecylenoyl Glycine

Undecylenoyl glycine (UG) is an esterified derivative of glycine, its chemical structure is similar to natural lipo-amino acid such as lipoprotein in live biological body. UG is an important ingredient in cosmetics. It can keep skin natural ecosystem, effectively eliminate acne and kill a lot of G+ and G- bacteria. It is suitable to oily and neutral skin.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerine is used in cosmetics and body care products to assist in retaining moisture and is helpful in pulling oxygen into the skin. Vegetable glycerine is a natural emollient that adds a cooling effect on the skin and has become a predominant ingredient in most skin care products and soaps. Vegetable glycerine is also the principal medium for the manufacturing of non-alcohol based herbal extracts, which are called glycerites. This makes for a sweet alcohol free extract that can be easily administered to children, animals and those with alcohol sensitivities.

Xantham gum

A natural carbohydrate gum produced by a yeast-like organism. Used as an emulsifier and thickener to help with consistency and stability of creams. Xanthan gum is not affected by temperature, salt, pH or enzymes In cosmetics xanthan gum is used to prepare water gels usually in conjunction with bentonite clays. Is also used in oil-in-water emulsions to help stabilise the oil droplets against coalescence. It has some skin hydrating properties.

 Ylang ylang oil

The essential oil of ylang-ylang is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is a white mineral pigment with skin-protecting properties including deodorizing and antibacterial. It is a used as a barrier ingredient which repels water and moisture.  Zinc has strong reflectant and UV absorbing properties so it is commonly used in sunscreen as an active SPF ingredident.

Why You Should Use Natural and Organic Products

There are toxins all around us in the world today. People are becoming more and more conscious of where they go, what they eat, and the things they are exposed to. The rage over organic and natural products isn’t really a rage. People are simply learning that using synthetic chemicals will probably result in our bodies absorbing elements we weren’t supposed to absorb. Learning how our bodies work and why we should avoid certain synthetic ingredients will help promote overall well-being and a more healthy society.Skin is our first barrier of defense from the outside world not to mention the largest organ of our body. It is made up of several layers (dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous tissue). These layers work together by utilizing different types of cells, which create a semi-waterproof layer of tissues highly concentrated with blood vessels. This simple factor allows us to release and absorb substances to regulate our bodies based on the environment we are exposed to.

This is the key to understanding why using organic and natural products is so significant. The types of ingredients skin care products are made up of will dictate what becomes absorbed quickly, what won’t be absorbed and what may clog the absorption process. Most essential oils have a relatively small molecular mass so they are absorbed quickly. However many synthetic ingredients also have a small molecular mass meaning they will be absorbed into the skin and blood stream right away also. As for some of the heavier oils like almond, olive, and coconut oil which make up the majority of crèmes and lotions, they are higher in molecular mass resulting in a slower absorption rate which it ultimately leaves your skin feeling soft and lubricated several hours after the application. Some ingredients like Zinc are not absorbed at all and will sit on top of the skin and act as a physical barrier.

It is important to understand how our skin works and why using natural products will help us in the long run. The more natural and organic a lotion or crème is the more our bodies will be able to absorb and break down the ingredients for overall use in a natural way. Ultimately, preventing synthetic substances from entering our blood stream will help to prevent unwanted chemical reactions commonly associated with toxins.