Thousands of years ago, a natural system of healing from within was created by the Vedic culture in India. There are roots of this natural healing medicine in Tibetan and Chinese medicines as well. After many years of being suppressed, the Ayurveda lifestyle has once again found its way into modern-day cultures around the world. The “organic” beauty movement is taking place in tandem with this Ayurvedic style. Often times these “green” products are referred to as “organic,” “all natural” and “eco-friendly.”
Just what are the health benefits of an Ayurvedic and Organic Beauty movements? Products which are made more eco-friendly are kinder to our skin and hair, as well as the environment.
These products usually don’t have animal bi-products, harmful chemicals or utilize animal testing.
What to Look For
Labels that say “vegan,” “cruelty free” or “vegeterian” are usually safest. Also look for products containing natural oils like coconut oil, lavender oil, and cocoa or shea butters–all of which can be healthier for your hair and skin as well as our planet.
From a beauty perspective, going green can help us understand more about the products we currently use, (as they have effects internally and externally”>. We also learn a bit more about how we, the individual consumer, can make a brighter, cleaner footprint on our mother earth by buying and using these eco-friendly products.
What to Avoid
Here’s a quick list of ingredients you don’t want in your hair and beauty care products:
- Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-paraben, etc.”>
- Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS or SLES”>
- Petrolatum (petroleum jelly”>
- Propylene glycol
- Diethanolamine (DEA”> and Triethalnolamine (TEA”>
- Imidazoldinyl, urea and diazolidinyl urea
- Silicone
- Ethoxylated ingredients (those starting with PEG- or ending with –ETH”>
At-Home Recipes
The easiest way to control exactly what is going into your beauty products, is to create them yourself! Here are a few quick at-home hair and beauty treatments that you can work into your beauty routine.
The Warm Oil Scalp Massage
Two times a week this will help stimulate and moisturize the scalp. Use quality coconut, almond or olive oil. Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or two, then , shampoo your hair. The scalp massage helps you relax and aids in a sound sleep as well.
The All-Natural Hair Conditioner
Blend together:
- 1/3 cup yogurt
- 1 cup water
- 3-4 rosehips
- raw sugar
- honey to taste
If you choose honey, add it after pouring strained cheese into a glass, and stir it in with a spoon—heat created during blending can destroy the healing qualities of honey.
The Wrinkle Fighter
Smooth castor oil on the face to keep it soft and wrinkle free.
The Pore Cleanser
Clean the skin and pores with unpasteurized milk on cotton wool.
The Facial
Mix eight ounces of yogurt with a tablespoon of both lemon juice and orange juice to use on the face as a masque. Remove with damp cloth in about fifteen minutes.
The Skin Conditioner
Make a paste of two tablespoons of cream stirred with one tablespoon of honey. Leave mixture on skin for five minutes. Remove with a wet facial cloth.
The Complexion Smoother
Apply orange juice to the face for a smoother complexion.
