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Home Skin Care Ingredients

Common ingredients include Besan, Yogurt, honey, lime juice, tomatoes, almond oil, aloe vera

Mask Base

Besan (Chickpea flour) for normal Skin. Besan is a good source of Zinc.

Multani Mitti (Fullers Clay) for oily skin

Sandalwood powder Normal to dry skin

Oatmeal finely powdered for dry skin

Fruit pulps (Papaya, Pineapple, Kiwi. Avocado) for dry skin

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

AHA are mild organic acids. These are: Lactic, Citric, Malic, Glycolic, and Tartaric acids. In history, Cleopatra used clabbered milk (lactic acid) for her bath, French women used sediment from old wine (Tartaric Acid).

AHA dissolves the glue that keeps the dead skin cells stuck to the skin. The process to remove these dead skin cells is called exfoliating. After the skin is exfoliated, the natural oils reach to top and keep the surface moisturized. At a lower pH level (2 to 4), they act as exfoliating agent, at higher pH level (greater than 7), they are moisturizers.

Glycolic Acid

Action

It has small molecules and can easily penetrate the skin.  Its penetration ability makes it good to treat blackheads. Skin exfoliation, oil reduction, collagen building, and skin bleaching, humectants moisturizer.

Sources

The raw sugar cane jaggery (Gur or Shakar), Honey, Glycerin, Sugar beets, Unripe grapes

Lactic Acid

Action

Lactic Acid has large molecules but more effective as an exfoliating agent, good moisturizer, soft skin.

Sources

Yogurt, Buttermilk, Sour cream

Citric Acid

Action

Helps remove blemishes, Antioxidant for collagen building. Not a good exfoliating agent.

Sources

Lemon, Lime, Orange, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Berries, Kiwi, Strawberry

Malic Acid

Action

Skin exfoliation

Sources

Apples, Pears, Nectarines, Banana, Bananas, Cherries, Blackberries, Grapes

Tartaric Acid

Action

Exfoliating agent, used in combination with Glycolic acid

Sources

Fermented red and white grape (wines).

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) Salicylic acid

Action

BHA are used for acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, Keratosis, warts, lighten the blemishes. BHA exfoliates the skin just like the AHA, but can penetrate the pores for deep cleansing.

Sources

Willow Bark extract

Aspirin is Acetylsalicylic (ASA). It is not Salicylic acid, but usable in a similar fashion for skin care.

Pepto-Bismol is a combination of Bismuth and Subsalicylate, making it usable for skin care.

Vitamin C

Action

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles, develop collagen, added protection against sunburn

Sources

Vitamin B3

Action

Acne, helpful against skin cancer

Sources

Cranberries, Tomatoes

Vitamin B5

Action

Promotes skin moisture

Source

Cranberries, Sunflower seeds, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Yogurt, Whole egg

Vitamin E

Action

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Repair sunburn damage

Sources

Almonds, Sunflower seeds, Tomatoes , Safflower oil, Sunflower oil

Sulfur

Action

Acne, Rosacea, Seborrhea dermatitis, and scabies.

Sources

Egg yolks, Hot red peppers, Horseradish, Radishes, Mustard greens, Mustard Seeds, Onions, Garlic

Aloe Vera (Guar Pattha)

Grows wild in Rajasthan. Anti inflammatory, moisturizer, structure compatible with human skin.

Baking Soda

Acid neutralizer, exfoliating, skin soother

Neem powder

Anti bacterial Specially for Acne

Rose Water

Anti-bacterial, Vitamin C and other antioxidants. Prevents acne, pimples, wrinkles, sun light induced damage. Tightens pores. Rose water is used making toners, face masks, creams and lotions. 

Sandalwood

Available as powder or oil. It is anti-microbial used as antiseptic against cuts and burns. There are two varieties Red Sandalwood and  Yellow Sandalwood.

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)

Adds yellow hue to Indian brown skin, with small amount of oil, makes the skin to glow under candlelight. Antibiotic, prevents bacterial infection and aids in healing wounds, cuts, bruises.

Anti-inflammatory. Curcumin promotes collagen building. Inhibits growth of skin cancer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in the nutrients required for the health of skin. These include Vitamins C, E, K, B1, B6, B3, B2 and Lycopene.