So you’d like to use high-quality ingredients? Products with complete traceability? Perhaps you’d like to be able to leave your moisturiser lying around and not panic when a toddler starts eating it? Look no further… here’s the Real Foods guide to natural skincare
Step One
Decide on your skin type and treat it accordingly...
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Dry Skin needs water and oil. If you get enough water into your skin, treat it with oils and add protective barriers, you will feel less tight, dry or flaky.
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Oily Skin does not need oil. Oil can be great for cleansing oily skin, but too much left on the skin and you’ll simply be adding to the problem.
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Combination/normal skin. Experiment and work out which areas need what oils or lotions.
Step Two
Always apply moisturiser directly after showering or bathing, you need to trap the water available, otherwise, you will simply have a protective barrier with no moisture underneath it. The ideal routine is after a bath, so you've got a good night’s sleep while your skin appreciates its new food!
Step Three
Pick a few of these natural ingredients and get experimenting.
Coconut Oil
This one is organic, raw and also delicious in baked goods! Click here for more information.
To see the full range of coconut oils available, follow this link.
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Anti-microbial, anti-fungal and an excellent multi-purpose moisturiser. Coconut Oil is deeply penetrating, so it’s ideal for hair, skin and nails and can also be used to make body scrubs (just add sugar, salt or old coffee grounds).
It’s also widely used for dry skin, shaving legs and as a cleanser (particularly for hard to remove makeup like mascara). The Vitamin E found in coconut oil can help soothe eczema, sunburn and psoriasis.
Not recommended for facial use unless you have particularly dry skin, as it has a high comedogenic rating of 4, meaning it’s likely to block pores and potentially cause spots.
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Aloe Vera
This is organic, fresh Aloe Vera once removed the gel will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Buy it here
Find other Aloe Vera products here in our webshop.
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Aloe Vera is an amazing healer for the skin. It repairs cells, UV damage, and accelerates the healing of acne, cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. Aloe Vera also reduces redness and inflammation.
Raw, it is non-comedogenic.
Aloe Vera is high in vitamin A and has a natural exfoliating effect that helps remove dead skins cells from scarred areas. It also promotes the healing and regeneration of damaged cells by increasing your body's collagen production.
Amazing for sunburn or damage.
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Argan Oil
For food-grade Argan Oil, try the Clearspring one stocked here
For cosmetic argan oils, follow this link for the range available
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Food-grade Argan Oil is used as a dipping oil. It is made from roasted argan kernels to release a delicious, nutty flavour. There’s absolutely no harm in using the culinary one for cosmetic purposes, but it will smell a little nutty and arguably not be as penetrative in your skin.
Argan Oil is always expensive (if you find a very cheap one, it’s usually not pure argan oil, it’s simply an ingredient). However, literally 2 small drops are all that is needed for your face, so it is long-lasting.
Argan oil contains an abundant source of Vitamin E as well as other antioxidants making it an excellent oil for reducing and preventing the signs of ageing. Argan oil’s fatty acids (Oleic and Linoleic acids) are excellent for hydrating and nourishing the skin and hair.
Non-comedogenic.
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Shea Butter
Find the range of shea butter moisturisers here
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Shea butter melts at body temperature and is made from fats extracted from shea nuts.
Shea butter is high in stearic acid, but rarely makes people break out. It's very popular in the winter months as it is excellent for providing a barrier layer. It's particularly good for lips, elbows, hands and anywhere else that is prone to chapping.
Shea butter is a great emollient and moisturiser that creates an excellent barrier layer and may be good for treating skin inflammation. It’s beaten petroleum-based oils at being a skin barrier and an emollient for eczema (Retrieved 28.12.17) and some studies show it has anti-inflammatory properties.
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