Herbal Skin Care Products — Fad or Necessity
A look at the skincare range today will show a growing appearance of Herbal skin care products India. Some see it as a marketing ploy, while some view it as a passing fad. For most people, though, it has become an essential commodity. In fact, herbal products today span the range of personal care aisles — from oils to lipsticks.
Herbal products may be seen as a modern remedy, but in India such products have a long tradition. From Ayurveda to grandma’s remedies — we have all heard of those little recipes and potions that could make our skin glow, give us lustrous hair and erase those pesky pimples.
What are herbal skin care products?
The distinguishing feature of such products is the use of herbs. To be authentic, such products must be composed wholly or in part of herbs. Since herbs alone are often not enough, the use of certain natural products like water and natural oils is also permitted.
But, don’t be fooled by advertising. With the clamour for herbal products rising every day, there are a number of companies joining the fray. But a close look and you will find that the term ‘herbal product’ in many such cases is misleading. The ingredient list shows only a minor use of herbs, augmented mostly by chemicals, many of which are very harmful. So, before you pick your next herbal lotion, take time to read its ingredients.
Why use herbal skin care products?
If many women have been using generic skin care products, why change now? After all it’s not as if all these women developed rashes overnight! So, why the rush to switch over now? The answer lies in the way we use skincare products, the nature of our skin and what makes skincare products.
The absorbing skin: Although we think of the skin as a barrier, it is not a hard impermeable shield. It is closer to a sponge that covers our body. What we put on our skin does not just stay on its surface. As a layer, the skin absorbs whatever we put on it. These products slowly enter the bloodstream and are absorbed by the body.
Slow effect: Not too long ago the average woman was gung-ho about the magic chemicals that could bring in the magic cure — from brightening the skin to reversing our age! Some may even have felt a positive effect. But the problem with these chemicals is the way our body reacts to them over time.
Many of these chemicals may make no difference when used in small quantities, but skincare products do not fall into that category. Products like moisturisers and face wash are used on a daily basis. Over time their residue accumulates in the body, becoming slowly toxic. Ingredients such as petrochemicals are known to be carcinogenic. In contrast, natural products are rarely toxic. In long term they offer more benefits than just what is mentioned on the label.
A recent survey by research firm Euromonitor shows an overwhelming preference for natural skincare products by Indians with 71% Indians showing preference for natural creams and lotions. So its win-win for all — profits for manufacturer and better products for the consumer!
