Natural Ingredient Secrets Unlocked

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea)

This plant is believed to stimulate the body’s immune system and protect against various infections. Echinacea extract is rich in caffeic acid derivative eicosanoids, or prostaglandins, anthocyanins, and phenols that have a strong antioxidant effect. What makes echinacea even more beneficial in green beauty applications is its ability to protect skin from UV damage. Italian scientists found that echinacea effectively wards off free radicals and recommended “topical use of extracts from Echinacea species for the prevention/treatment of photodamage of the skin by UV radiation, in which oxidative stress plays a crucial role” (Facino et al. 1995). Echinacea is used in moisturizers and toners for easily irritated, acne-prone skin.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sideroxylon, Eucalyptus torquata)

An essential oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves contains powerful natural disinfectants effective against gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. Eucalyptus essential oil also has insect repellent properties. For the first time in history, a December 2007 Egyptian study revealed that eucalyptus extracts and oils were toxic to cells of human breast adenocarcinoma (Ashour 2007), but more studies are needed to determine if eucalyptus has anti cancer potential.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Essential oil from the seeds of evening primrose contains a very rare omega-6 essential fatty acid, namely, gamma-linolenic acid. This is one of the body’s three sources of eicosanoids, which makes evening primrose oil potentially effective for autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and eczema. Gamma-linolenic acid also shows promise against breast cancer. When mixed with antioxidants and applied topically, evening primrose helped decrease UV-induced skin damage.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Aside from being the flavorful heavyweight of Chinese cuisine, ginger plays an important role in green beauty. An extract from ginger root, rich in gingerol, protein, minerals, vitamin A, and niacin, has mild analgesic and antibacterial properties. Ginger is commonly used in creams and hair conditioners for its ability to promote circulation in skin. Ginger also smells fantastic!

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

This herb is rich in the natural antiseptic compound isoquinoline. When applied topically, an extract from the whole herb has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which make this herb useful in astringents and topical antiseptics for acne-prone skin.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
An extract of this plant has been traditionally used to stimulate the healing of ulcers and skin injuries, and to strengthen skin capillaries. Calcium, iron, selenium, magnesium, betulic acid, beta-carotene, terpenes, saponins, and the antioxidant quercetin in gotu kola help maintain healthy connective tissue development, speed up the healing process, and improve the barrier functions of the top skin layer. Gotu kola is also a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. All of the above more than justifies the use of Centella asiatica extract in natural skin care preparations.

Grape (Vitis vinifera)

This is one of the strongest players in beauty formulations. The skin of muscadine and red grapes is exceptionally rich in the antioxidant resveratrol, which has anti cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti aging, anti-inflammatory, and life-prolonging effects. Fresh grape skin contains about 50 to 100 micrograms of resveratrol per gram! It has been found that resveratrol may kill cancer cells and acts as a cancer preventive agent (Marel et al. 2008). Other antioxidants contained in grape skin include ellagic acid, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, all with excellent, health-benefiting track records. Proanthocyanidins found in grape skin help preserve collagen and elastin in skin, reduce facial swelling after cosmetic surgery, and can protect from many types of cancer, including skin cancer, according to recent research (Nandakumar 2008; Katiyar 2008). Resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are available in pure form and can be added to homemade cosmetic preparations. I always add grape proanthocyanidins to my sunscreens. They may give the lotion a purple tint, so use it sparingly. Grape seed oil and crushed grape seed are used in cosmetics, too, as an emollient and an exfoliant, respectively.

Grapefruit

This juicy fruit is rich in sulfur-containing terpene, the antioxidant flavonoid naringin, and a coumarin called bergamottin, which is also found in bergamot. This substance is blamed for the negative interaction of grapefruit juice with some drugs. The pink fruit contains lycopene, a potent antioxidant. Grapefruit seed extract is commonly used as a natural preservative. But here’s a word of caution: a cohort study conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles shows that eating grapefruit every day may increase the risk of developing breast cancer by almost a third. Scientists suggest that the fruit boosts the levels of estrogen, which in turn increases the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women (Monroe et al. 2007). Until science knows more, it may be wise to refrain from frequent consumption of grapefruit in any form

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Infusions or extracts of green tea leaves have a plethora of health benefits. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols and catechins, which have a wide array of anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, anti carcinogenic, and antiseptic properties. L-Theanine, a chemical found in green tea, is known to soothe and calm the skin, while caffeine and epigallocatechin gallate, the most abundant catechin in green tea, helps protect the skin from UV radiation-induced damage and skin cancer formation by stimulating the production of interleukins that repair the skin’s DNA. In studies, when green tea was ingested and applied topically, scientists noticed that it also helped diminish damage to the immune system by UV radiation (Katiyar et al. 2007; Yusuf et al. 2007; Schwarz et al. 2008).
Pure green tea extract is available in many health food stores, and green tea is a key component in such upscale skin care brands as Teamine and ReVive, but you can prepare your own potent antioxidant green tea blends by adding pure green tea extract to your sunscreens and moisturizers. It blends well with most toners, moisturizers, and sunscreens, and has reportedly been effective for acne and rosacea. This is my skin active of choice that I usually add to my body sunscreens during the summer.Green Beauty Recipes