Herbal skin care has been practiced for thousands of years when only natural products were available. Unfortunately, the advent of the synthetic skin care preparations all but killed the herbal based products. Unfortunately many of these natural formulas where never written down as they were handed down by word of mouth so only a small number remain, there are even people that have never use a herbal product.



Perhaps it is our fast paced lives and the ease with which we can purchase just about any synthetically produced item that has helped with the decrease in using natural preparations. Large skin care manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon that has come about in all things natural but their herbal preparations have to be mixed with some kind of preservative if they are to last which means they are not as good as home made ones.

It seems that increasing numbers of people are becoming more discerning and using herbal skin care products again from companies that are specializing in making small batches of these products. While commercial manufacturers can produce them cheaper then that is how the majority of us will buy them but do you know what they actually are?

Aloe vera is probably the best known which is an extract from Aloe plant and is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product plus freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps to heal cuts, treat sun burns and in soothing skin. Other household herbs like dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary are good at cleansing but usually when they are in combination with other herbs.

To protect from infection and help the skin, the herbs lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel can be used, all of which have antiseptic properties. Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care and tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Many herbal products contain oils taken from the plants themselves in diluted and undiluted for like tea tree, primrose and lavender oils. Certain skin conditions can also be helped with oils extracted from plants in herbal skin care preparations.

The best thing about herbal products is there are few if any side effects and if you have the incentive, they can also be made at home. Despite the apparent love for all things herbal, whether mass produced or not, there are occasions when a synthetic skin care preparation may be better than a herbal one.

It pays to look after your skin whether by herbal or synthetic means as it has a major role in protecting us from the elements and sometimes needs a little help.