Planning To Get A Herbal Facial Mask?

To begin with, let us first congratulate you for realizing the herbal skincare benefits and thereby deciding to assimilate herbal ways in your daily skincare regime. Nature has bestowed upon us a plethora of miraculous herbs which are full of medicinal and skincare qualities. It is upon us to understand the value of these herbs and benefit from them.

There are many brands of skincare products that have a separate special section for herbal beauty products. Both the manufacturers and the consumers have now realized the advantages of herbal skincare products.

The use of herbs as beauty enhancers dates back to centuries. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and English- all used herbs to tone up their skins. It is obviously because of their effectiveness that they were used. With the mushrooming of synthetic cosmetic industry, the herbal skincare ways somehow lost in the way. The herbal skincare ways have revived again and they have revived with a greater intensity.

There is a whole market that has captured the essence of herbal skincare. There is an unbelievable sprout in the herbal beauty industry.

Herbal facial masks are one of the most demanded herbal products. These herbal facial masks help to fight different skin problems. There is a mask for almost every skincare problem. There is literally no limit to the variety available in herbal skincare masks. All facial masks are rejuvenating but herbal facial masks add all the more charm and radiance to the facial skin.

Concocting an herbal skincare product at home is no big deal. Lemongrass, chamomile, fennel, camphor, parley, kangaroo paw flower, canola oil, Aloe Vera, mint, turmeric, dry fruits, orchids, sandalwood, tea tree oil are some commonly available herbs that help to enhance beauty. These can be formed into a paste by adding milk or honey. These herbal facial masks are indeed very effective in skincare.

What Ingredients To Look Out For In A Herbal Facial Mask?

Herbal facial masks are getting common by the day. Their effectiveness and zero side effects have made them the latest buzz these days. These herbal facial masks are commonplace and you should find them at any local beauty store but you need to see for yourself if the product you are planning to buy is actually genuinely herbal.

Here let us highlight the most common of all herbs that are used as ingredients in most herbal facial masks and creams.

Aloe Vera is a storehouse of herbal qualities. It helps to protect the skin from UV rays of the sun. It also acts as an excellent moisturizer and emollient. Jojoba is also supposed to be a great antioxidant. When it comes to natural skin moisturizer, jojoba has no comparison! The usage of ginkgo Biloba dates back to several centuries. It is known to considerably stimulate circulation of blood in the body.

Chamomile is another major ingredient in herbal beauty products. Apart from being a great stress reliever, it helps to revitalize the skin. It is also proven to be extremely beneficial in treating age lines. Kava Kava is very effective herb used in a plethora of herbal facial masks. Kaolin is another such botanical ingredient. It is usually used as an astringent. Soy is an excellent rejuvenator.

Turmeric is used since long as a beauty enhancer. It has natural cleansing properties and makes the skin appear more radiant and smooth. Basil, likewise has both health and beauty benefits. It is especially used to treat common skin ailments. It helps to reduce skin inflammation. Rosemary is another effective herb. It overflows with beauty secrets.

So, if your herbal facial mask contains most of the above mentioned herbs, you must cheer up! Your skin is going to witness a sea change very soon! All the very best to you!

What to Expect During a Facial Treatment

There are many different types of facial treatments provided by state licensed professionals today; therefore, the procedures and protocol should be somewhat similar no matter where you go to receive a facial treatment. The first thing the client will be asked to do is to complete a client card or informational form. This card will inform the esthetician of your skin type, any allergies you many have and what the best treatment options are for your facial. If you are a returning client, your esthetician should briefly discuss the client card and any changes that may have occurred between visits. Questions determining age, pain threshold, sensitivity, allergies, medications and water consumption are all standard. Never be afraid to ask questions or point out changes in your skin upon return visits. The client card guarantees that the esthetician can provide the best possible facial service.

Most facial procedures will begin with two complete herbal cleanses to remove make up, surface oil and dirt. The esthetician will then cover the client’s eyes briefly and examine the face through a magnified light lamp in order to properly asses the skin’s condition. During the skin assessment, the esthetician may ask questions or describe specific areas of the face, neck and decollate (the area around the collarbone).

Once the assessment is complete, the facialist will continue with the appropriate exfoliate, in order to shed dead skin and increase the effectiveness of the extraction. At this point, a facial steamer may or may not be used on surrounding, exposed skin. Extractions, or purging of the pores, will follow a herbal scrub and steam. The esthetician should never apply too much pressure or cause pain at any time during extractions. Extractions are meant to clear the pores and may feel awkward or uncomfortable, but should not hurt. If at any time the service is uncomfortable or painful, tell the esthetician. During the extraction process, and sometimes the entire treatment, ensure that the esthetician is wearing protective gloves. This protects both you the client and the esthetician. Following extractions, a sterile solution should be swiped over the facial area to clear remaining debris and disinfect the skin.

At this point in the facial, a few things may change or differ depending on the treatment you are receiving. A decollate, neck and facial massage may occur which usually last between 10 and 20 minutes. During the massage, be sure to let the esthetician know if the pressure is too hard or a particular area is sensitive.  An herbal facial mask or peel may follow the extractions or massage, again, depending on the type of facial treatment. After the mask, peels and massages the esthetician will end the appointment with a variety of herbal facial products such as face masks ( or masks), toners, serums, boosters, moisturizers and sunscreen. Feel free to ask questions about any products applied during this time. The esthetician should then leave the room, allowing you to relax and redress.

At the end of your appointment, the facialist will provide drinking water, as it is critical to stay hydrated after treatments, and will speak to you about an at-home regime or product that will ensure that you take the best possible care of your skin in between visits.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Herbal Skin Care History and Aloe Vera Plants

HERBAL SKIN CARE was used as far back 1400BC. The ancient Egyptians are known to to have used herbs, and oils. IN Queen Thuthu’s tomb a box was found containing a pumice stone for smoothing rough skin, eye pencils of wood and ivory used for applying kohl and antimony to the eyes. A bronze dish for mixing ingredients such as lapis lazuli powder for eye shadow, along with three cosmetic pots she probably used for making her own skin care henna, scented oils and creams.

The ancient Greek were well known for their use of herbs and oils for making herbal skin care beauty preparations. Even going to the point of making a connection between health and beauty. The science of dermatology was developed by Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician.

The Romans dyed their hair with myrtle and walnut husk, darkened their eyes with kohl, bathed their heads with extracts of myrtle and juniper berries to prevent their hair from thinning and rubbed alkanet root on their ckeek to make them rosy. Back in those times I’m sure they had the freshest of herbs, and used a lot of them.

Aloe Vera is porbably one of the oldest and most-well know of the medicinal herbs.

Medicinal and Cosmetic uses of Aloe Vera

Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of Aloe vera has been contradictory unfortunatley. The cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturizing and healing properties of Aloe vera. But if you are a skeptic, all you have to do is rub a little aloe vera leaf on your stinging burn or bug bite, to immediately feel relief.  You know it works when you use it.

Aloe vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotion, yogurt, beverages and some desserts. Aloe vera juice is used for consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome. It is common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, razors and shampoos and facial masks.

Aloe vera juice for ingestion.

Aloe vera has a long association with herbal medicine, although it is not known when its medical applications were first discovered. Early records of Aloe vera use appear in the Ebers Papyrus from 16th century BCE, in both Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder’s Natural History written in the mid-first century CE along with the Juliana Anicia Codex produced in 512 CE. Aloe vera is non-toxic, with no known side effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing.

Taking Aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts has been associated with various side effects.However, the species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United States, Jamaica and India.

Aloe vera is alleged to be effective in treatment of wounds. Evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing, however, is limited and contradictory. Some studies, for example, show that Aloe vera promotes the rates of healing, while in contrast, other studies show that wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal than those treated with conventional medical preparations. A more recent review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients, but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease). In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral Aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs; however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans. The injection of Aloe vera extracts to treat cancer has resulted in the deaths of several patients.

Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis. However, it is not effective for the prevention of radiation-induced injuries. Although anecdotally useful, it has not been proven to offer protection from sunburn or suntan. In a double-blind clinical trial the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque.

Aloe vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Aloe vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea; however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. For its anti-fungal properties, Aloe vera is used as a fish tank water conditioner. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from Aloe vera was shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro.  In contrast, Aloe vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.

Commodity uses

Aloe vera is now also widely used on face tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturizer and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users who suffer hay-fever or cold.

So, whatever your cosmetic or medicinal needs, there are thousands of herbal complements to aid healing and skin regeneration, don’t just rely on the same old chemical brands found in your drugstore. Take the time to learn about herbal plants and their medicinal uses and help detoxify your chemical-laden system in the process!

Non-Comedogenic Cosmetics

Non-comedogenic cosmetics are products which have been tested on the oily skins of human volunteers or inside
rabbit ears. These products are less likely to cause blackheads (open comedones) or whiteheads (closed comedones) in patients. However, no single product is non-comedogenic for everyone.

For example, a person with very oily skin may still get skin breakouts from products that another person with mildly oily skin may find non-comedogenic. A better term may be non-acnegenic rather than non-comedogenic, but this is not so widely used. It is important to test a new product on your own skin rather than rely on the label, before using it freely.

Moisturizers:
There are moisturizers labeled oil-free which have a very thin consistency. These have been tested in old animal models and have been proven to be oil-free. Most people who are acne-prone or who have oily skin do not even need these products. There are moisturizers labeled non-comedogenic which are usually thicker than the oil-free products, these may
be suitable when the ambient humidity is dry. When the patient is exercising or if the air is hot and humid, these moisturizers may be comedogenic.

Cleansers:

There are some products, which are suitable for oily skin, most liquid cleansers are not as helpful for oily skin as bar soaps or synthetic detergents. Some deodorant soaps or cleansers may be helpful for oily skin. Care must be taken not to over dry the skin with a strong cleanser for fear that the skin will re-bound with extra oil. Often a good gentle face bar soap, or gentle cleansers such as will be more likely to allow for patient satisfaction.

When the patient actually has acne and not just oily skin, many acne cleansers are available and many companies have cleansers made specifically for acne. There are benzoyl peroxide cleansers in the form of 5 and 10 % bar soaps and liquid cleansers, which are very effective in controlling acne breakouts.

Foundations:
Foundations for acne prone skin are often formulated to be like a shake lotion the color contents settle on the bottom while the opaque or clear solution is on the top. The bottle is shaken before the foundation is applied, these are the least elegant oil free cosmetics. Most foundations remain mixed together but are not heavy or thick. It is not necessary to have poor coverage in foundations for oily or acne prone skin. Titanium dioxide is the ingredient which allows for better coverage, and that ingredient is not oily, varying amounts of starch and kaolin will thicken up the products without causing acne.

For those who actually have acne prone skin, the addition of 1-2% salicylic acid may be partially therapeutic. For patients who need a blotter for the excess oil in their skin, extra amounts of starch, kaolin, and polymers which absorb sebum may be added.

Sunscreens:
The active ingredients of sunscreens UVB blockers such as Cinnamates, Octocrylene, Salicylates, and UVA blockers such as Benzophenones, Parsol 1789 (avobenzone), micronized zinc or titanium dioxide, are not themselves comedogenic. These ingredients can be incorporated into foundations, non-comedogenic moisturizers, and oil-free bases. The least comedogenic sunscreens are usually formulated into gel formulations.

Moisturizers - Are they really needed?

The truth is that moisturizers are a growing component of daily skin care and account for one of the most common over the counter products sold in the world.

This growth is partly due to the fact that what started as a simple moisturizer has become a sophisticated vehicle for delivery of complex nourishment and regulatory molecules to the skin.

The moisturizers are mostly used for one of the following reasons:

1. To repair the skin’s ability to provide effective barrier against outside pollutants, toxins, bacteria, viruses, fungi and to prevent the essential components of our skin and tissues from escaping our bodies.
2. To increase the water content of the skin in both dermis and epidermis.
3. To reduce skin vulnerability against trans-epidermal (through the skin) water loss.
4. To rebalance the skin’s composition of lipids (fats) both inside and outside the skin cells.
5. To deliver nutrients and regulatory substances to the viable portion of the dermis and epidermis.

The anatomy of most moisturizers encompasses at least one of the following components: emollients, occlusive agents, humectants as swell as additives designed to add extra benefits to the traditional functions of the moisturizers.

Emollients improve the visual aspect of the skin by sealing the tiny splits between the components of stratum Occlusive agents block trans-epidermal water loss. Because of the powerful occlusive properties, these agents have to be used carefully on the face as acne related to the use of cosmetics can result. Humectants are designed to attract water either from the environment or from the underlying dermis to the epidermis.

The era of newer, much more sophisticated moisturizers is upon us where scientifically formulated delivery systems can offer additive benefits of supplementing and modulating skin cells for their optimal function and differentiation. As such, these new moisturizers offer a cutting edge frontier where therapeutic benefits are combined with the moisturizing qualities of topical products. Vitamins, minerals, growth factors, peptides, enzymes and co-enzymes are some of the few categories of molecules currently in use in the latest fight to prevent skin deterioration and optimize its functioning.

About the author:
Mariusz J. A. Sapijaszko, MD FRCPC is the Director of the Western Canada Dermatology Institute located in Edmonton, Alberta. He is also the Clinical Assistant Professor at the Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, in Edmonton. His areas of expertise include cosmetic and laser surgery.