What to Look For in Herbal Skin Care Cosmetics
As interest and preference in herbal skin care and cosmetics grows, the number of players in the market has also multiplied. In fact, the term ‘herbal’ and ‘natural’ has become almost ubiquitous. The concern here is the authenticity of these products. How many of these manufacturers actually use herbs or herbal extracts? Before you look for the authentic brand, understand what herbal skin care cosmetics are. Herbal products contain one or more herbs with a permissible cosmetic base. In addition, herbal skin care products use only natural elements as the base. A number of products today use traditional Indian formulas such as those prescribed in the Ayurveda. But given the huge numbers of such products how can we sift the authentic from the fake? Here are some tips: Don’t believe in the ‘miracle’: Steer clear of any products that promise outrageous miracles because there really are none. Herbal Products are not cure all and neither can they reverse the irreversible. They cannot stop you from ageing, but they can keep your skin softer. They cannot make your lips red, but they can give you red pigment which can be applied on your lips. Check the ingredients: A cosmetics product, like any food product, should list all ingredients that go into its making. Carefully read through the ingredient list to know whether the product is actually all natural. Some companies use a token herb on a largely chemical base. So, look out for any such markers. Some of the chemicals often found in cosmetics are 1,4-dioxane, aluminum chlorohydrate, ammonia, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, lead actetate, mercury and parabens. Check for fragrance: