Natural compositions for the treatment of skin conditions
that self preserve.
(Acne, Scars, Burns, Wrinkles and dry skin)
Agnes Mwangi
Brenese Care Products, LLC,
Synopsis
Most of
the cosmetics products in the market today have lots of products in their
ingredients list, but most of them are synthetic and usually harsh to a lot of
people’s skin. Water is always the biggest percentage of the composition so as
to make all the ingredients come together. Also other ingredients that could
cause adverse reactions to the skin are added so as to increase the shelf
life.
The
compositions discussed in this paper utilizes butters and oils that have the
ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, scars and zits and
help burns heal faster without the shinny smooth scar on their own. When
combined together the healing capacity is remarkable. These ingredients have
not been altered. They are all mixed together in their own natural form. This
helps the composition attain its maximum healing potential.
As
consumers have come to understand ingredients in their cosmetic products, the
need for products with self-preserving ingredients has increased. The
compositions discussed in this paper have what the consumers consider as the
good ingredients to look for in any quality cosmetic product. Africans, South
Americans and the Native Indians women have used these basic ingredients for
generations. Most of these women spent most of their time outside and in the
fields and they had smooth and clear skin.
Key words:
Self preserve, zits, scars, acne, blemishes, anti aging,
Sensitive/dry skin.
Introduction
Vitamins
A (Retinoids), E (alpha-tocopherol a leading antioxidant) and F (essential
fatty acids) have become the buzzwords in the cosmetic and beauty industry. In
this paper I will be discussing how one major product was put together to
incorporate all these good for our skin vitamins naturally. Synthetic derivatives of vitamin A
(Retinoids) are known to cause adverse reactions to most individuals and mostly
to women of childbearing age or could be pregnant.
The major ingredients
I will be discussing have natural retinoids, antioxidants and essential fatty
acids in great quantities.
Shea butter
It is known
especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient. African
healers have known about shea butter for thousands of years: the substance is
almost magical in its healing effects on burns, skin conditions, ulcerated
skin, stretch marks, and dryness.
It contains an abundance of natural vitamins A, C and F that
help cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and
rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin. Shea butter is marketed as being effective at treating the following
conditions: fading scars,
eczema,
burns,
rashes, acne, severely dry skin, blemishes,
dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation
of psoriasis.
Shea butter provides natural ultraviolet sun protection, although
the level of protection is extremely variable, ranging from nothing to
approximately SPF 6. Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin
to breathe without clogging the pores.
Jojoba Oil
Native Americans have long used jojoba oil to help heal
sores and wounds. Today, jojoba oil is commonly used for cosmetic purposes,
particularly for the maintenance of healthy skin. It has anti microbial
properties, which means it actually discourages the growth of some bacterial
and fungal microbes that attack the skin. In addition, the chemical composition
of jojoba closely resembles that of the skin’s natural sebum, so it is easily
absorbed and rarely causes allergic reactions, even in the most sensitive skin.
Jojoba oil contains many important nutrients, such as vitamin E, B complex
vitamins, and the minerals silicon, chromium, copper, and zinc. It also
contains a lot of iodine, which may be where jojoba gets its ability to fight
against bacterial and fungal infection.
Jojoba oil has
many uses in a wide variety of industries. As a cosmetic, it is an effective
cleanser, conditioner, moisturizer, and softener for the skin. It is applied
directly to the skin to soften the skin, to reduce wrinkles, to lighten and
help heal scars, and to promote healthy skin.
Jojoba oil is
similar to, and miscible with, sebum, which is secreted by human sebaceous
glands to lubricate and protect skin.
When sebum
production decreases due to age, pollutants, or environmental stresses, jojoba
oil can be used to replicate sebum oil. It forms a lipid layer on the skin,
acting as a moisturizer, as well as penetrating and being absorbed by the outer
layer of skin.
Cacao Butter
Is the cream-colored fat extracted from cacao seeds (cocoa
beans), Cocoa butter has been called the ultimate moisturizer and is a
powerhouse for Vitamins E. It is one of the most stable, highly concentrated
natural fats known, and melts at body temperature. Cocoa butter is often
recommended for treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. When
applied topically, it creates a barrier between sensitive skin and the
environment and also helps retain moisture. Pregnant women have long used cocoa
butter formulations to prevent and treat stretch marks.
Many lotions and oils containing cocoa butter are used in
massages and aromatherapy to help promote relaxation and a feeling of well
being. Another benefit cocoa butter offers is the large number of antioxidants
it contains. Free radicals can destroy skin cells, causing them to dry up and
wrinkle through a process called oxidation. With a large number of different
antioxidants, including an abundance of vitamin E, cocoa butter neutralizes
these free radicals by restoring the cells and preventing more damage.
White Petrolatum
Petroleum jelly,
petrolatum or soft paraffin is a semi-solid
mixture of hydrocarbons (with carbon numbers
mainly higher than 25), originally promoted as a topical ointment
for its healing properties. Its folkloric medicinal value as a
"cure-all" has since been limited by better scientific understanding
of appropriate and inappropriate uses. However, it is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an
approved over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant and
remains widely used in cosmetic skin care
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is a natural source pigmented mineral, quarry
mined and further refined to a
fluffy white powder. It is commonly found in cosmetics as a
whitening agent and it is
also found in sunscreens because of its impressive
capability to block UV light. Zinc
Oxide has an enormous refractive index (ability to bend
light) and comes in right under
the refractive capabilities of diamonds. This is why it is
the first choice for powerful
sunscreens.
Magnesium sulfate(Epsom Salts)
Magnesium sulfate paste has been used as an agent for
dehydrating (drawing) boils,
carbuncles and abscesses.
Magnesium sulfate solution has also been shown to be an
effective aid in the fight against
blemishes and acne when applied directly to problematic
areas, usually in poultice form.
Magnesium sulfate when used through soaking, can soothe
muscle pains and help
improve rough patches in the skin.
Sumarized Ingredients
Shea Butter: Vitamins A, C and F. Easily absorbed.
Cacao Butter: Perfect moisturizer.
Jojoba Oil: Anti
microbial, resembles that of the skin’s natural sebum, vitamin E, B complex,
and the minerals silicon, chromium, copper, and zinc.
Zinc Oxide: Enormous refractive index, whitening agent.
Epsom Salts: Dehydrating agent (drawing) boils,
carbuncles and abscesses, fights against blemishes and acne
Example1:
A female subject (35 yrs) used the cream to treat scars
(black spots) caused by zits/pimples on her face twice a day, morning and
night. By the third day, her face showed remarkable improvement. After 3 months
(twelve weeks) of using the composition, her facial skin showed no signs of
scarring from zits/pimples. This result was attributed to the creams
compositions. She began using the invention as her facial cream to prevent any
more facial scarring. At the same time her face had a more youthful and
brighter appearance with no signs of aging.
Example 2
A 5year old subject used the cream to treat a big scrape
caused by a fall. The would was cleaned, dried and then used the cream twice a
day, morning and night. By the end of the first week the wound was healing.
After several weeks the hair follicles started to grow back. Today the child
has no scar to show for this fall.
Figure 1 Figure 2:
After 4 weeks
Conclusion:
The ingredients are not harmful to the skin. The cream is
for young children and adults.
All the ingredients have a purpose and all work together for
maximum results.
The examples shown are of pigmented skin simply because it
has always been more difficult for dermatologists to treat skin other than that
of Caucasian decent.
While the cream is a better option for patients or customers
with darker skin it is very good for Caucasian skin too. Customers and clients
have to get over the idea that using creams that have oil in them is not good.
Just like in foods there are fats and oils that benefit the health of your
body. The same applies to the skin of your face and the rest of your body.
The fact that the composition have been put together to
create a product that is selling in the market now is a good indication that it
is readily available for patients, customers and clients who will benefit from
it.
Warning: The cream is for cosmetic purpose and should not be
considered as medicine.
Acknowledgements
The author states no
conflict of interest and the paper was not funded.
References:
[1]. vitaminstuff.com. Various articles.
[2]. Dark skin requires a light
touch: By Jessica Yadegaran, Contra Costa Times
[3]. What Are
the Benefits of Cocoa Butter?
, eHow Contributor
[4]. What are natural retinoids? Vahlquist A. Dermatology.
1999; 199 Suppl 1:3-11. Review.
PMID: 10473953 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
[5]. American Shea Butter Institute
[6]. Self-preserving
cosmetics: A. Varvaresou*, S.
Papageorgiou*, E. Tsirivas*, E. Protopapa*, H. Kintziou*, V. Kefala* and C.
Demetzosà. International Journal
of Cosmetic Science
