Embracing Nature
Connecting with Nature
I wanted to write this blog to highlight how important nature is for our wellbeing. Being in nature focuses you on the present moment and allows you to practice mindfulness. It is one of the best things you can experience to boost your mood, and the fact that it is normally coupled with exercise makes it even more of a boost. During the Covid lockdown, nature was such a huge help to me, and that’s when I really started to appreciate it a lot. When I wasn’t able to carry on my passion for travelling or go anywhere far, spending my lunch breaks in the local natural area noticing the trees, flowers, and sounds of the water and birds, really brightened my day.
Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and there is even Ecotherapy, a therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature.
Being in nature not only rejuvenates the spirit but also inspires the concept of holistic skincare, emphasising a harmonious approach that nurtures both the skin and overall wellbeing.
The Healing Power of Botanicals
Choosing natural products that include botanical ingredients in, over synthetic options, and incorporating them into your skincare routine offers so many benefits including:
nourishing the skin with vitamins and antioxidants
anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and heal the skin
promoting a heathier complexion while minimising potential irritants
softening and protecting the skin
hydrating and moisturising the skin
regenerating the skin
Some of my favourite natural ingredients are:
Calendula Oil - has strong anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin and help it repair and heal
Lavender Essential Oil - smells beautiful and is great for relaxation. It is soothing, softening and healing for skin
Cocoa Butter - protects and hydrates the skin, and is high in Vitamin E which softens and smooths skin. Also has a lovely chocolate smell
Coconut Oil - an extremely softening, moisturising and hydrating oil that is great for dry, chapped skin, and for nourishing and protecting skin and hair. I use the cold-pressed, refined version in this product. The oil is made by pressing dried coconut meat called copra
Frankincense essential oil - smells amazing, and is a great anti-aging ingredient, as it tightens and tones skin tissue. Also good for tension and stress
Peppermint essential oil - uplifting, cooling and fresh. Good for headaches and muscle aches
Chamomile essential oil - soothing and calming for the skin and the mind. It also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties
History of Natural Ingredients
Natural botanical ingredients have been historically used in ancient times for many reasons such as to enhance beauty, to cleanse the body, to ease skin conditions, for use in religion, and to ward off enemies in battle. Many ancient civilisations believed plant essences possessed spiritual, supernatural powers, which is understandable as some plants have mind-altering properties. The Sumerians, Egyptians, Babylonians and Assyrians used a variety of plants commonly used in natural formulation today in their ointments, powders, oils and more. Oils such as olive, sesame and castor were used, which are still used now. You can read more about the skincare rituals of the ancient Egyptians in my blog.
The oldest known written formulation was discovered on a 5,000-year old Egyptian scroll, the Edwin Smith papyrus, and entitled “Transforming an old man into a youth”. Stanley Jacobs, a dermatologist from the USA, had the formulation analysed and found that it contained mandelic acid obtained from bitter almonds. In this day and age, mandelic acid is used as a natural alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) liquid exfoliant to encourage cell renewal, which is particularly beneficial for mature skin.
After the collapse of ancient civilisations followed by battles among tribes in Europe and the Middle East, most of what we know of medieval cosmetics and botany was rescued, researched and documented by the Arabs. Their knowledge then passed throughout Europe from around 800 A.D. to Renaissance times. The Renaissance, or rebirth of learning, the arts and exploration, and in particular the 16th century, saw cosmetic preparations being used for pleasure and not just to restore skin conditions. The opening up of trade with the Americas, and Silk Road trade from the East to Venice, brought more exotic ingredients to Europe to add into cosmetics. In this period there are formulations that have many similarities with modern gels, scrubs, oils, and toners. Unfortunately some lethal ingredients such as lead and arsenic were included in cosmetics from the mid 1500s to around the late 1700s, as these items produced pale skin which women desired to have.
In the late 1800s, great beauty pioneers of the era were also indie formulators. Most of them, such as Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder, started as lone entrepreneurs, just like many indie brand founders today, such as my natural skincare business. The global cosmetics industry built up after World War II in the USA, and advances in chemistry during the war years saw new types of ingredients that were found of considerable use in cosmetics. The silver screen divas created the “American Beauty” ideal and the cosmetics industry used this as a marketing opportunity, and produced cosmetics for everyone wanting the film-star look. This was the birth of the global cosmetics industry which has only grown bigger and bigger. The US/Western beauty ideal has dominated cultures across the world creating enormous demand for US-produced cosmetics from big brand personal care companies.
Different cultures around the world have embraced natural ingredients in their traditional skincare practices:
in Asia they tend to use ingredients such as green tea extract and hyaluronic acid and skincare routines often involve multiple steps, such as cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturising and protecting from the sun
in Europe, popular ingredients include Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10. Brands offer high quality sunscreens to protect skin from harmful UV rays
in Africa, ingredients such as shea butter and aloe vera are used. Many African countries use local plants and herbs with medicinal properties, such as rooibos and moringa
Sustainability in my Skincare Products
My brand has a commitment to preserve nature while creating effective skincare products. Wherever possible, I source my ingredients and packaging in an ethical way, and avoid ingredients that are harmful to the environment. I do this by:
using recyclable packaging such as aluminium and glass
using PET plastic
only using one container for my products, and not putting them in two layers of packaging
using some organic ingredients
not using water in my products, apart from to help melt the ingredients
