We originally started this glossary of natural skin care, beauty and cosmetic product ingredients to provide our customers and site visitors with a listing and description of all the ingredients used in our
natural source skin care products. That information can now be found in our store on each full size product and also on our hair, body and skin care products list. In the course of our research on natural ingredients for cosmetics products and skin care, particularly herbs and botanicals, it was clear there was not a lot of information available in one location on the web regarding their use in skin care.
We decided to expand our listing to include herbs, essential oils and other skin care, beauty and cosmetics ingredients whether or not we use them in our natural skin treatments and products. The desire is to have a resource for anyone that may need general information about herbs and other natural ingredients and most importantly their application in skin care. We continually add new ingredients so if you don't find something here today check back with us often.
Skin Care Ingredients Glossary
A non-toxic crystal created by the oxidation of uric acid. Has the ability to help heal wounds, sores and stimulates the growth of healthy tissue. Allantoin is a skin softener and an anti-irritant, which inhibits allergic type responses. Allantoin is healing, moisturizing, soothing and anti-irritating. It is a valuable cell-proliferating healing agent which stimulates healthy tissue formation.
Expressed from the Aloe Vera plant which are found mainly in sunny climates. The leaves store large amounts of water. Aloe Vera improves hydration, is soothing and healing to all skin types. Chemical analysis has shown the presence of mucopolysacharides, a natural moisturizing factor. Aloe Vera is composed of water, the enzymes catalase and cellulose, minerals, calcium, aluminum, iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, 20 amino acids and carbohydrates. Aloe Vera also contains the “youth mineral” potassium. Has renowned healing properties, anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin and help heal cuts, grazes, burns and insect bites. Its active constituents actually speed healing by accelerating tissue repair and encouraging normal cell growth. These properties make it ideal for use in skin care and cosmetic preparations on sunburns, acne, dermatitis, and otherwise sensitive and irritated skin. Aloe Vera has also recently been hailed for its anti-aging effect on skin.
Astragalus is an antioxidant and has been shown to promote cell proliferation and survival. It inhibits free radical production, increases superoxide dismutase and decreases lipid peroxidation making it an excellent ingredient for anti-aging and antioxidant support products. Astragalus is an adaptagen and is usually used in conjunction with other herbs such as ginseng and echinacea.
A natural material produced by a yeast that lives on normal skin, Malassezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum ovale). Azelaic acid has many uses in skin care, it is used as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne and is useful for both comedonal and inflammatory acne. It is antibacterial - reduces the growth of bacteria in the follicle (p acne and staphylococcus epidermis). It is a scavenger of free radicals and helps to reduce pigmentation. It is particularly useful for darker skinned individuals that may have acne dark spots or melasma who may be sensitive to other skin lightening ingredients such as HQ. Azelaic acid is non-toxic and is well tolerated by most individuals. However, those with very sensitive skin or who suffer from eczema, may find it irritating to apply.
