offers 100 times better protection from singlet oxygen than vitamin E. Lycopene is sold in health food
stores and online. You can add powdered lycopene to your skin care preparations, but beware: it can
instantly turn any cream or lotion bright pink!
Milk
Cow and goat milk are rich in saturated fat, protein, and calcium, as well as a host of vitamins. The
green cosmetic industry uses whole milk as an emollient due to its high fat and protein content, and
milk acid, also known as lactic acid, for its mild exfoliating properties. Yogurt, kefir, and sour cream
make excellent, quick, and nourishing skin exfoliating masks.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
The sap of myrrh is used frequently as an antiseptic in natural mouthwashes, gargles, and
toothpastes for the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Myrrh is currently used in healing balms
to treat abrasions and minor skin irritations, and it has proven effective as an ingredient of healing
balms for chronic wounds, alongside honey (Lofty et al. 2006).
N-Acetyl Glucosamine
A major component of hyaluronic acid, glucosamine is making news in natural cosmetics due to
several beneficial effects on the skin. Glu-cosamine works as an anti-inflammatory substance that
triggers synthesis of hyaluronic acid in skin, accelerates wound healing, improves skin hydration, and
decreases wrinkles. It also safely lightens skin tone by inhibiting melanin production, which makes it
a godsend for people with hyperpigmentation, age spots, and uneven melanin distribution.
Olive (Olea europaea)
Olive leaf extract is rich in hydroxytyrosol, one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, which
strengthens the skin’s immune system and protects it from the oxidation effects of UV radiation and
tobacco smoke. Plain olive oil is a traditional skin emollient, while squalene, which is derived from
olive oil, is an excellent natural moisturizer that quickly penetrates the skin, does not leave a greasy
film, and blends well with active ingredients.
Orange (Sweet) (Citrus sinensis)
Petals of the orange blossom are used to prepare orange water, a natural skin refresher rich in
vitamins and volatile oils that has mild antiseptic action. Orange essential oil is rich in flavonoids,
rutin, beta-carotene, and aromatic terpene d-limonene, which is classified as toxic or very toxic in
several countries. It’s inadvisable to use pure orange oil in cosmetic products.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
This aromatic herb is rich in manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin A, and contains trace amounts of
iron, calcium, folate, potassium, tryptophan, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and copper.
Recent studies discovered antioxidants and free radical scavenging activities in peppermint leaf
extract, while peppermint essential oil has been proven effective against the herpes simplex virus,
even against acyclovir-resistant strains. Peppermint oil can be irritating, but toxicity reports found