Natural skin care has its roots in the 4th millennium BC in Egypt and the Middle East. Natural skin care products are one of the fastest growing product segments in the world. Natural cosmetics should stimulate and support our natural skin functions, rather than supplanting physiological processes. Natural skin care is the care of the skin (the largest organ of the body) using naturally-derived ingredients (such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers) combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers.  Many people use natural skin care recipes to make remedies to care for their skin at home. Many spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Over the past ten years, several companies have been started to make available completely natural products to the general public.  One such treatment consists of bullock’s bile, whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, dough and resin mixed with milk. In the modern age many people with unique skin types and needs (sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin) have turned to natural skin care solutions.
 
Natural cosmetics serve to beautify and care for the human body by means of ingredients from nature.  Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the holistic care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affects all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specific to the individual’s skin type or skin condition. Jojoba skin care is a natural remedy. Jojoba is a natural moisturizer for the skin. The oil is similar to the natural sebum of whale. Also, it softens the skin. Ayurvedic skin care theory claims that there are seven different types of constitution that govern skin and hair types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha and Vata-Pitta. Natural skin care products made from vegetable or animal extracts may be inherently toxic, and if prepared locally the concentrations of active ingredients cannot be controlled.

Skin care manufacturers are not supposed to claim that their products penetrate the skin. Cosmetic industry uses only ingredients that have established scientific profiles, and then only in legal and known concentrations. Skin care products do not (and should not) last for ever. Just like food, all natural skin care products will eventually deteriorate and go rancid.  Honey’s natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties and ability to absorb and retain moisture have been recognised and used extensively in skin care treatments as they help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun’s rays and rejuvenate depleted skin. Shea butter is derived from the kernel of the “Karite” tree, or Tree of Life. It can be found in a multitude of products at drug stores, high-end beauty boutiques, and e-tailers. Ayurvedic skin care is derived from medicinal practices that began over 2,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine and healing practices are based on Indian philosophical, psychological, conventional, and medicinal understandings. Ayurvedic approach to skin care is holistic and considers the mind, body, and spirit together.

Ayurvedas practices the belief that there are three basic principles or humors born out of five basic elements that exist in nature. Aromatherapy ingredients include lavender, which aids sleep, coconut milk, which soothes dry skin, eucalyptus and pine oil which relax the muscles and ylang ylang which is a natural, non chemical based perfume. Fruit oils are often used in shower gels and soaps to nourish, invigorate and hydrate the skin and hair. Citrus fruits are popular natural ingredients as they promote skin development.  Toxins are eliminated through the skin via perspiration and absorbed through the skin into the body’s circulation system, through hair follicles and sebaceous glands, but not through the sweat glands. One square inch of skin contains approximately 65 hairs, 100 sebaceous glands and 650 sweat glands. Every square inch of your skin is like a thousand open mouths, absorbing into the body most of what is put on it. Plant and herb extracts used include tea tree oil, which acts as an antiseptic, aloe Vera, which is a natural moisturiser, hemp for severe dry skin, rose water which is a natural toner and cocoa butter a rich moisturiser.