Natural cosmetic ingredients and benefits. |
![]() Glossary:
Almond oil: used in many skin preparations. It is fine and rich. Ideal for hair, skin and nails. Almonds, ground: a gentle abrasive in face and body scrubs and masks. Both cleansing and nourishing. Apple cider vinegar: sour acetic made from cider. Restores skins acid mantle. Good for dry itchy skin. Used to help treat dandruff and also lighten hair. Apple, mashed: used in face masks, good for dry and rough skin. Naturally acidic. Apple blossom oil: used to perfume cosmetics. Anhydrous lanolin: used in face creams as a moisturising emulsifier. It absorbs water. A thick sticky oil from sheep's wool. Avocado oil: used in nourishing creams and hair conditioners. Baby oil: used in cleansing creams as it does not penetrate the skin. Beeswax, white and yellow: ideal for cosmetic creams. High melting point. If borax is added, will be an emulsifier. Bergamot oil: used in sun-tan lotions and as a perfume in liquid cosmetics. Borax: a mineral found on certain lake shores. Mild antiseptic. Emulsifier if mixed with beeswax. Buttermilk: used as a mild bleaching agent and cleanser for oily skin and large pores. Chamomile: used for cleansing and as a rinse for fair hair. Has mild bleaching properties. Cocoa butter: used in cleansing in nourishing creams and as a lubricant in massage creams. Comfrey: a herb renowned for its medicinal properties. Used for infusion or as a pulp. Cucumber: a very mild astringent. Closes the pores. Refreshes skin in hot weather. Egg white: used as a face mask and astringent. Good for oily skin. Egg yolk: used in hair care and in sun-tan lotions. Nourishing and good for dry skin. Elderflowers: used as a skin tonic, cleanser and healer. Good for sunburn, tired eyes and freckles (has mild bleaching properties). Emulsifying wax: used in creams as a stabilizer, helping waxes and water-based liquids combine. Essential oil: contains scents of herb, flowers bark etc. Each essential oil provides individual properties. Look at this table for hair and this table for skin. Fuller's earth: a mineral rich clay which absorbs waters and oils. Used in dry shampoo and foot powders and as a thickener in face masks. Glycerine: attracts and holds moisture. Used in moisturizers and hair care. Gum arabic: used as an astringent in steamers. Honey: used in creams, lotions, face packs and hair care products. Has softening and healing properties. Used to lighten fair hair. Lavender oil: used to perfume cosmetics. Lemon juice: acid, used as an astringent and has mild bleaching properties. Lime oil: used to perfume cosmetics. Liquid paraffin: a liquid form of petroleum jelly. Used as a barrier as it does not penetrate skin. Nettle: a mild stringent. Helps clear dandruff, boost circulation and rid skin impurities. Oatmeal: used in face scrubs and packs. Acts as a gentle abrasive. Orange-flower oil: used to perfume cosmetics. Orange-flower water: fragrant water used in place of water in many cosmetics. Orange peel: used as a gentle abrasive in face scrubs when dried and ground. Olive oil: used for sunburn and in nourishing creams. Rosemary: stimulates and improves circulation. Used as a compress for tired eyes and in a rinse for dark hair. Rose oil: used to perfume cosmetics. Rose-water: fragrant water distilled from rose petals. Used in place of water in many cosmetics and also in confectionery. Sandalwood oil: used as a perfume in cosmetics. Sesame oil: Used in many cosmetics for it's nourishing property's. Especially in sun-tan lotions and creams. Soap flakes: used in home-made cosmetics to give a silky texture to body lotions. Thyme: used in steamers and as a general skin tonic. It has cleansing and soothing properties. Tincture of myrrh: use as a preservative. It has mild disinfectant properties, therefore used in mouthwashes. Turkey red oil: Treated castor oil which disperses when added to water. Witch hazel: use as an astringent in cosmetics. Vitamin E capsules: protects cells and helps immune system. Vodka: A preservative and also an astringent. |
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