At some point, you have probably used a natural or plant based product for your skin. You may have read somewhere about how many brands have products which are full of chemicals which you really don't want to absorb in to your body and you may have noticed that there is a shift towards natural products in the beauty industry in general.
In this blog, we explore how plant based skincare and specifically plant infusions go beyond just natural skincare and can deliver specific benefits resulting in glowing, rejuvenation and nourishment of even the most sensitive of skin.
Back in the not so distant past..
The concept of plant based skincare is nothing new. If our ancestors lived in a rural location and were lucky enough to have a small area/garden outside their house, that area was critical for all their needs in order to stay alive, healthy and well. They grew a variety of plants all together in a small space for food, household uses, medicinal purposes and for skincare and body care. Every plant had a purpose and was highly valued and relied upon.
Since then, with changes to healthcare and what is available to buy, we have largely moved away those traditional methods, but i am so glad to see that the interest in natural skincare, body care and household products continues to rise in popularity as it becomes apparent that our bodies do not cope well with synthetic substances- and why would they? Nature offers some fantastic ingredients, so lets make the most of them.
Infusing plants to make natural skincare products
My product range is based on plant infusions, so what do i mean when i use this phrase?
Well plant infusions are plant infused oils. They enable us to extract the amazing properties of the plants and then use them when creating skincare products.
Plants can be infused in water (think herbal teas) or oil but for the purpose of this post, i am focusing on oil based infusions. I love using plant oils because they are safe and natural, are a sustainable way of using plants and can be used in so many different ways to create products.
As with the other steps in product making, infusing is a process that i do myself - it is not something that can be bought in. This means that i can be very selective about which plants i use and where i source them from.
I am lucky to have a large garden so I grow as many plants as i can at home, making this ingredient as locally sourced as it can be. It is also important for me to leave some plants for the wildlife plus there are the practical considerations- even with vertical drying racks, it takes a lot of space to dry the plants!
Where i need to buy plants and other ingredients, i have trusted suppliers who can demonstrate that they are sourcing them in a sustainable way and are meeting a high quality of safety and quality.
The infusion process takes hours- no quick fixes here and it makes the whole of the preparation area smell of that plant which is lovely! The infusions are then mixed with high quality butters and oils to make the products.
How different plants help the skin
In the same way that your diet consists of different plants that provide different nutrients, each plant provides different benefits when applied to the skin.
Lets look at some examples....
Meadowsweet and Daisy are anti inflammatory so they help to reduce pain, swelling and discomfort
Plantain (the 'weed') that people have in the garden is cooling, calming and soothing.
Rosemary is toning and invigorating for the skin and improves circulation. Its scent helps us to energise, focus and concentrate.
Seaweed in products is also growing in popularity and with good reason. It is full of vitamins and minerals so is really nourishing for the skin and can be really helpful for acne prone skin (at any age).
Oats and marshmallow are calming, soothing and softening for the skin.
Rose is a great skin toner and very beneficial for calming the skin (and the mind). It is one of the best emotionally balancing plant you can use.
Chamomile is softening and gentle for the skin, with a beautiful calming scent.
I use all of these and more in my skincare range and i have experienced a transformation in my own skin since started to use them three years ago.
How to make sure the product actually contains plant based ingredients as it claims to
When choosing which natural skincare products to use:
Firstly, take a look at the ingredients list on the packaging. Just as you would not want a huge list of ingredients that you don't recognise on your food packaging, the same applies to what you are using on your skin.
Botanical ingredients used in cosmetic products have to be listed as their botanical or Latin name and most people do not recognise the plants by these names. For example, Marshmallow root is called Althaea Officinalis so that is what you will see on the ingredients list. Whilst this is unhelpful for the average person trying to decide what to buy, these Latin names are actually a good indication that the product actually contains plant based ingredients as they claim to. An internet search will quickly tell you which plant it is (the common name).
Be aware of fragrances (listed as perfume or parfum) which can be used to give it the scent that you would expect e.g. rose for a rose balm when it is actually just a synthetic substance that has been added to trick the senses.
Get an idea of how much of these plant based ingredients are actually in the product by looking at the ingredients list and where abouts they feature on it. Ingredients have to be listed in descending order so if they are mentioned at the bottom of a long list of ingredients, you might want to question how effective they are actually going to be.
A quick note on Calendula
One of the first plant based ingredients to become popular in recent years, Calendula became very common in natural skincare brands across the UK and the World and remains a staple in many product. However, it can cause some skin reactions or a worsening of skin conditions when used by some people, so i wanted to highlight that if you are using a new product and your skin is getting worse, not better, it is worth checking the ingredients for Calendula (Latin name Calendula Officinalis).
How are plant infusions different to essential oils?
Essential oils are very concentrated extracts.
Some people can become sensitised to essential oils even when they are used in minimal (and completely safe) amounts. Other people will never experience any issues with them - as with anything, it varies between one person and the next.
Plant infusions are less concentrated but still very effective.
I developed my skincare range with sensitive skin in mind, whether you have have always had it or whether it has become more sensitive due to hormonal changes for example, this was an important factor for me following many years of trial and error with trying various brands on my own skin.
I also developed it with consideration for people who do not like and/or can be affected by strong scents. A product can be really nourishing and effective without having a strong scent!
Plant infusions have a scent but it is more subtle and is not overpowering.
For those reasons, i only use some essential oils in the herbal eye pillows and as an option/variation of the hand balm as some people love the lavender scent.
If you are ready to experience the amazing power of infused plants in natural skincare, head over to www.naturallygrownhealth.co.uk/shop for my skincare range.
Hi, I’m Amy Woodcock. I am a nutritional therapist and health coach specialising in the skin and a natural skincare creator. My company Naturally Grown Health helps Women to transform their skin, look and feel fantastic and get their confidence back, all in a natural way through my skin clinic and my handmade plant based skincare and body care range. www.naturallygrownhealth.co.uk
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