Natural Skin Care Tips

Skin is the largest organ of a human body. Biologically, our skin is our first line of defense from most external factors - be it wind, dust, germs, burns or anything for that matter. It is the main passageway to our bloodstream. So the next time you pickup that lotion or bath soap loaded with chemicals, please know that a large percentage of what we apply on this protective layer gets absorbed into our blood stream. Hence our skin needs to be in a healthy state to protect us against illness and keep us healthy. Skin responds well to tender care and attention. So instead of using chemical laden products, nourish your skin with natural bath and beauty products such as handmade soaps, body washes, natural cold pressed oils, soap free face washes, natural bath powders, face masks, body lotions, hair colour, etc.

One of the natural bath powders / ubtans popular in southern parts of India is called Sunnipindi. Sunni Pindi is an aromatic herbal bath powder that is prepared and used extensively in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, as a scrub and a bath powder to cleanse and exfoliate the skin and make it softer. Bathing with Sunni Pindi is an age old tradition and it is used till date in many families in Andhra Pradesh in place of soap. The base of this powder is green gram powder that is mixed with chickpea powder and rice flour. In order to make it aromatic and more beneficial to health, many powdered herbs and ingredients are added to this powder-  Turmeric, multani mitti, gooseberries, fenugreek leaves, almond meal, basil leaves, rose petals and neem leaves. These days, you can buy not only this natural soap alternative in the powder form but also in the form of soaps. 

Other alternatives for soaps are the handmade ones that do not have any harsh chemicals added as perfumes or foaming agents. They are completely SLS and paraben free. Needless to say, bathing with these does not dry your skin. These soaps do not foam or lather as much since all the ingredients are pure and no foaming agents are added.

Multani mitti, also known as fullers earth, is another natural option for face cleanup, exfoliation and many other skin issues. Multani Mitti is rich alkaline soil containing minerals and volcanic ash. Its alkaline content corrects imbalances and neutralizes skin tone. A nature’s wonder for your skin, many are still unaware of the versatility of Multani Mitti. Use this miracle product in your beauty regimen as a face mask or exfoliater instead of the chemical laden products used during your facials.

Same logic applies to your hair as well. Any hair colour you use will get absorbed into your body through the scalp. So make the switch to natural hair colours that will not damage the texture of your hair and keep you healthy as well.