Women all over the world have one
thing in common and that is the desire to enhance and maintain their beauty. In less
westernised societies there is less of a focus on manufactured products sand
more on natural, organic and pure products that have been passed down through
generations. I believe that there is so much that we can learn from these
remedies and these women! The desirable look for women all over the world is
thick, long healthy hair and clear radiant skin. I would love to travel across the
world and see how marginalised women live and their beauty regimes (maybe one
day!). In the mean time I have come across some of the organic beauty staples
from women across the globe!
Let’s start off by defining a few
terms to look out for when purchasing some of these items…
Organic: Natural produce involving production without the use of any
chemical aid
Natural: Made from nature without the interference of humans
Pure: Untouched and not mixed with any other ingredient fillers
Unrefined and Cold- Pressed: Extraction without excessive heat and as a result the nutrients
remain intact which means the oil remains ‘virgin’ and ‘pure’
Tamanu Oil: This oil is
found in Polynesia, which is a region made up of over 1,000 islands scattered
over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The islands in Polynesia are known
for their tropical climate. These women are known for their well-tanned skin
and legendary hair. This oil is extracted from the nut grown on the Tamanu
Tree. The scientific name for the Tamanu Nut Tree is Calophyllum Inophyllum. Tamanu
oil is used to accelerate wound healing and promotes healthy, glowing skin; it
is also used for cuts, insect bites, stings and to treat acne, eczema and dry
skin.
Turmeric/Haldi: This is a well-known indian spice! From my
experience Turmeric serves as a great ingredient for facial masks, it can be
used on oily, dry and combination skin- winning! Turmeric is great for treating
acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which fight pimples, breakouts
as well as helping to clear acne scars, while providing a youthful glow to your
skin. Since finding out about the uses of turmeric from the lovely Farah Dhukai’s YouTube channel it really
has been a staple organic beauty treatment for me! More details on facial masks
coming soon on the blog!
Honey: I am currently using Honey as a cleanser and I love it! I
use it in the mornings and just before I go to bed, I put it on when my face is
damp, leave it on for 15 minutes minimum and then wash it off; it leaves my
skin feeling soft and supple. Here are some reasons why pure honey is so great.
Honey is naturally antibacterial, so it's great to use as an acne/break out
treatment and prevention. It is also full of antioxidants and it is great for
slowing down aging. It is extremely moisturising and soothing, so it helps
create a glow. Honey is cleansing and clarifying because it opens up pores
making them easy to unclog! Amazing! Honey is used all over the world.
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Gram/Besan Flour: This Hindi ingredient is great for face masks! It
is known for its skin brightening properties, pimple fighting agents and
general cleansing properties. This flour mixed with milk (or yogurt), with a
pinch of turmeric and almond oil works wonders for my skin and literally
overnight! It can also be mixed in with homemade body scrubs! How’s that for harsh
chemical-free living!
Tulsi plant: Tulsi or basil is one plant you are sure to find in
most Indian homes. It is a herb with medicinal and healing properties, tulsi
leaves are added to dishes or even eaten raw for its numerous benefits. In
terms of beauty, ground tulsi can come in handy when it comes to dealing with
everyday beauty woes like pimples and dandruff especially when mixed with oils
and honey. I am yet to try this plant however, I have heard great things! I
will definitely be reviewing this herb when I do!
Amla Oil: This natural substance is often used to promote healthy
hair and growth. It can be used fight hair loss and premature grey hair. When
used as a hair treatment, amla oil is typically applied directly to the scalp
and massaged thoroughly. Amla features a number of essential fatty acids, which
help to strengthen the hair follicles and condition the hair. It can also help
treat dry, itchy scalp. No wonder it’s one of India’s most trusted hair oils! Lovely!
Shikakai: Shikakai (literally translates to "hair-fruit"
or "fruit for hair") is a shrub-like tree that grows in central
India. It has been used for centuries as a cleanser for hair, body, and pretty
much anywhere else a cleanser might come in handy. What sets this plant apart
from the rest is that shikakai actually lathers moderately because its bark,
which foam up when shaken in water, similar to soap! Shikakai is very high in
vitamin C as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants which are essential
for healthy and rapid hair growth. These vitamins provide the hair follicles
with the necessary micronutrients to help hair grow fast and healthy. I have
not yet tried Shikakai powder but it sounds amazing! It is definitely something
I will be looking to purchase and review. Shikakai has very low pH levels,
which means your hair won’t be stripped of its natural oils, apparently it also
works as a shampoo and detangler at the same time. This all natural product
sounds almost too good to be true! - We’ll see!
Shea Butter: It is a creamy-coloured
fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees. Being of west African descent shea butter has always been a part
of the family and I really did not used to like it (mainly because of the
distinctive smell, although now I really don’t think its that bad). This was
until I found out about its many uses! My mother and all the women in my family
use shea butter as a moisturiser and skin healer. African women are known for
their supple, gracefully aging skin. The vitamin A in shea butter contributes
to this, it is important for improving a number of skin conditions including early
lines and wrinkles, eczema, skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns and wounds! You
can imagine my mother’s confusion when I asked her for some shea butter when I
had snubbed it for nearly my whole life! Be careful though guys, only high
quality premium shea butter can offer all the benefits of shea butter, once it
has aged or loses its natural integrity many of the benefits can be lost so
make sure you know what you are buying!
Rose hip seed oil/ Rosa mosqueta oil: South American women have
used this oil for a while. It comes from the seeds of a wild rose that grows in
the southern slopes of the Andes. It was used by the Araucanian Indians for its
healing and regenerative properties. The oil is rich in unsaturated and
essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. Rose hip seed oil helps prevent premature skin
aging, helps improve uneven skin tone and pigmentation, and repairs sun damage.
It also improves the texture of skin and increases elasticity. Rose hip seed oil is known to be effective in
treating skin conditions like dermatitis, acne and eczema too! Wow! Nature at
its finest!
Coconut Oil: If you don’t own a bottle of organic coconut oil then
you cannot sit with us (lol). Coconut oil and its many uses just had to feature
in this post! Indian women are known for their luscious thick, long hair and
this has been their beauty secret for centuries. Using coconut oil is a
wonderful natural way to make your hair and skin soft, radiant, and healthy.
Coconut oil is natural; chemicals free, all purpose moisturiser for skin and
hair! Sometimes, I think that we humans love chemicals and quick-fixes! We have so many natural remedies and although results won’t be seen overnight in most cases, in the longer term it is so beneficial! Be sure to patch-test out these products before thoroughly using them for any allergies! And always, always, always read ingredients, only natural, raw, pure and unrefined products out here!
Lots of Love,
xoxo
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