Uncover Power of Natural Products

Honey - Whenever I have a sudden onset of skin rash or a dry patch on my lips, I reach for my tube of pure manuka honey from New Zealand. It makes a wonderful healing facial mask that you can apply as is or mix with your favorite cream to reduce the gluey factor. If you have any sores or chapped patches on your lips, leave on a layer of honey overnight and wake up to the softest, smoothest lips. Since ancient times, honey has been used successfully for treatment of infected wounds because of its antibacterial activity, but modern science has found numerous exciting uses for this golden gift of nature. Honey has proven effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and fungi. “Antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella oxytoca were killed within 24 hours by honey,” say scientists from the University of Amsterdam, who used honey to treat skin infections (Kwakman et al. 2008). Honey is successfully used as a wound dressing in many hospitals, including neonatal units (Bell 2007), and even in patients with diabetes (Lotfy et al. 2006).

Honey heals thanks to its ability to stimulate cytokine production when inflammation is present, and kills bacteria due to the low presence of naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide. However, to work its magic (and to minimize the risk of bee pollen allergy), honey has to be medical grade, or produced under controlled conditions, without any added flavorings that local honeys are often praised for. Keep in mind that honey is a strong allergen, and before you use it in pure form or in your DIY preparations, perform a patch test first.

Idebenone

This synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10 is currently the most potent antioxidant known to science. It has powerful anti aging effects, as well as anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties. Idebenone can prevent damage to the skin’s immune system by ultraviolet radiation and assist in reversing many other effects of lifelong oxidation. It also boosts cellular activity by improving the functioning of mitochondria, which are like cellular electric batteries. Yet, both coenzyme Q10 analogues, ubiquinone and idebenone, are less effective in preventing UV-related skin damage than vitamins C and E (McDaniel et al. 2005; Tournas et al. 2006).

Idebenone can make a highly effective addition to your DIY mixes. It will push your skin into high gear even at the lowest of concentrations, although keep in mind this is not a natural substance, but is an analogue, and it has more irritation potential. So start with less concentrated solutions. Add 1.5 grams to 5 ounces of base product for 1 percent concentration or to 10 ounces for 0.5 percent concentration and mix thoroughly. Make sure your base product is not acidic in any way. Pure idebenone is bright orange in color, so keep the concentration low to avoid staining your clothes and your bed linens.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)

Jojoba seeds contain liquid wax, commonly called jojoba oil, which is chemically closest to the skin’s sebum Besides its emollient action, jojoba liquid wax has mild anti-inflammatory action, which can be very beneficial in treatment of acne and sunburns (Habashy et al. 2005). This odorless, colorless, and very stable substance is a great moisturizer and carrier oil for natural fragrances and massage oils. In beauty preparations, jojoba liquid wax also acts as a penetration enhancer. In natural hair care, jojoba wax makes a wonderful conditioner for straightened, dyed, or otherwise chemically damaged hair.

Kinetin

This plant hormone promotes cell division. Kinetin, whose chemical name is N(6)-furfuryladenine, exists naturally in the DNA of almost all organisms, including human cells. Vigorously tested since the 1990s, kinetin is a popular cosmetic ingredient that has powerful antiaging effects in human skin cells and other body systems. Recent studies indicate that kinetin may have antitumor activity in animals, and kinetin as 0.1 percent lotion helps restore skin barrier function, which is important in the treatment of rosacea.

Kojic Acid

This natural whitening substance is produced by the fermentation of malted rice with the Japanese fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Kojic acid is used in cosmetics to lighten skin since it inhibits melanin production. Kojic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies conducted in 2007 in Japan confirmed that kojic acid does not have tumor promoting or genotoxic properties, as suspected earlier (Higa et al. 2007). However, please note that kojic acid is still not recommended for long term use. There are many other natural and botanical extracts, such as licorice, niacinamide, yeast derivatives, and polyphenols, that can effectively lighten skin tone without potential toxic effects.
Green Beauty Recipes