All natural skin care is the rave of the day. More and more women are looking for quality products for taking care of their skin. They are looking for answers to the variety of skin problems that exist. Regular cosmetics and skin care products are more irritating to the skin, and, can cause hyperpigmentation of scarring.

We are working hard to keep our skin smooth, soft, supple and healthy. Although we are talking outside beauty we must remember inside beauty is just as important. What you eat and drink makes a great difference when using the natural approach. By doing both you are giving your body and face the best possible chance of staying healthy and glowing.

Natural products are great for problem skin. These products can address the many needs of skin with out harsh side affects or major skin irritation. These products are designed to work at the core of the problem, either with it's healing properties or properties to maintain the skin where it is.

Let's begin with some familiar terms associated with natural ingredients. These terms are botanical, herbal and organic.

The term botanical means pertaining to, made from, or containing plants. The second meaning is a drug made from parts of a plant, as from roots, leaves or berries.

All plant life is included in the definition. The second definition however is the context we use for natural ingredients. Everything about the plant is studied and used to make and formulate natural compounds/ ingredients found in products. Botanical ingredients in skin care usually refers to fruits and vegetables. Example: Citrus fruits contain enzymes. These enzymes are antiseptic in properties. They purify the skin of bacteria and virus' while giving your skin a rejuvenated feeling. Fruits and vegetables are used for their nutrient and medicinal properties is skin care products.

The term herbal means of, pertaining to or consisting of herbs. Herbs are flowering plants whose stem's above ground does not become woody. Herbal plants are plants, when valued for it's medicinal properties, flavor, scent or the like.

Here you can see the variety of uses for herbs. You hear of herbal supplements, herbal teas and aromatherapy. Most of the herbs used in products are valued for their medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. These compounds/ingredients should have a registered potency percentage to give you the best benefit of the herb. Each herbal plant is know for it's benefit. For example: Rosemary is known for flavoring in cooking. It is a great hair rinse for changing premature gray hair back to it's natural color and the essential oil of rosemary is used as a fragrance. There are several ways to use herbal plants. It is good to be familiar with the different types of herbs and their medicinal properties. Basically, you want to know what they do and how they will benefit you and your skin.

The term organic is very confusing in the world of botanical and herbal complexity. Organic means pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals: organic farming; organic fruits.

The meaning deals with how the plants are grown and what type of pesticides and fertilizers are used. Organically grown means the soil has been specially condition to contain all the beneficial enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, etc. This process allows the plants to grow in a naturally derived way unhindered. The process also allows you to know the potency and quality is a sure thing. There are other ways companies and manufactures process herbs for their products. We will explore this later.

So to summarize, botanical includes all plant life. For the sake of skin and personal care, fruits and vegetables are the major players. Herbal is the leaves and stems of flowering plants used for their medicinal, pharmaceutical properties and more.. Organic refers to how the plants are grown; without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

As we continue to explore this subject we will learn more about how all of this combines to bring, you, the consumer a high quality all natural product. One that is good for you and your skin..

There is much to consider when taking the “all natural” approach to beauty. I hope I can help simplify some of the mystery behind "all natural" products for cosmetic, personal, skin, and hair care market. I invite you to stay with me for the next few weeks as we look into the world of “All Natural Beauty”.


Sources
organic. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved September 27, 2008, from Dictionary.com website:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/organic

botanical. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved September 27, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/botanical

herbal. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved September 27, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/herbal