GOING NATURAL
It turns out beauty is more than skin deep: The average person slathers, lathers, rubs and sprays over ten different skin care products on his or her body every day--and since our skin acts more like a sponge than a barrier, we absorb most of the chemicals we regularly expose ourselves to. Most cosmetics companies maintain that these chemicals are safe, and many of them are--in small doses at least. But considering that the average woman wears a lot of products daily, you begin to understand how a little dab here a quick spray there begins to add up. The fact is no one really knows how certain chemicals affect us over time, or how they react in our bodies in combination, and to be fair, no one’s dropping dead after using a mascara wand or a body wash. Regardless of that, knowing that complex chemicals might eventually lead to potentially unknown side effects lead us to follow the precautionary principle and stick to natural products. Quite fortunately for us as africans, our continent boasts a long-lived tradition of creating skin and hair care recipes from the natural ingredients provided by its rich and varied landscape. as these ingredients gain popularity in commercial formulations, they have also become readily available to natural skin and hair care artisans, lending a fresh perspective on these traditional ingredients. From the glistening effect of the coconut oil to the african body butter, the good news here is that these products will not only transform your skin but will also save you a fortune.
BLACK SOAP-
Made with secret recipes passed down from generation to generation, there are several formulations of African black soap on the market today that may add in oats, honey, or aloe. But the core ingredients of traditionally made African black soap include native plants like plantain skins, cocoa pods, Shea tree bark, or palm tree leaves. Once plant matter is collected, it is first sun dried and then roasted at a consistent temperature until it turns into ash. The ash is then added to water and various fats like palm oil, coconut oil, Shea butter, cocoa butter, and palm kernel oil. This mixture is then heated and hand-stirred for a least 24 hours until it begins to solidify before it’s scooped out and left to cure for two weeks. African black soap is revered for having lots of skin nourishing benefits ranging from due to an abundance of antioxidants.
COCONUT OIL-
Coconut oil is the oil extracted from the edible, fleshy “meat” of a coconut. It’s a natural saturated fat, and is compromised almost entirely of medium-chain fatty acids. While that may not seem like anything extraordinary, coconut oil is one of the only sources of medium-chain fatty acids, which is what makes it so incredibly good for skin care. Studies show that the beneficial properties in this oil not only make it an incredible moisturizer, but it also helps to reduce bacteria associated with acne, infections, and other skin conditions. It is also known to improve wound healing by increasing collagen cross-linking.
SHEA BUTTER-
While there hasn’t been a lot of research to back up many of the claims of this amazing African butter, there is no shortage of testimonies singing its praises. And really, in a world of cosmetics laden with synthetic ingredients and odd extras, the availability of a botanical body care ingredient pure enough to eat is a beautiful thing. Especially when it happens to be so effective. Such is the case with the Shea butter. Rich in vitamins E and A, among others, it has unique properties that make it a standout in the nut oil family.
PALM KERNEL OIL-
This is an edible plant oil extracted from the palm kernel, which is the seed found inside the palm fruit. The oil has a strong nutty scent and taste. It has been used by African mothers for centuries, to treat infections, prevent diseases, and for beautiful hair and skin. With a sufficient amount of Vitamin E, the palm kernel oil provides amazing anti aging benefits and is capable of providing protection against harmful UV rays and other toxins.