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Tamanu oil, botanical name, Calophyllum tacamahaca, is derived from the the Tamanu tree, is a viscious greenish-brown oil with a nutty smell similar to unrefined shea butter. The Tamanu tree is from the Mangosteen family. This tree blooms twice a year and produces a fruit which when eaten is similar in taste to an apple. Inside this fruit is a large nut, from which tamanu oil is produced. Tamanu oil is obtained by cold pressing. This cold pressed oil is produced by softening the nuts with low temps into a paste and pressing the oil from the paste.

This oil is gaining popularity in skin care in the United States, but the oil and leaves of the Tamanu has been widely used by Pacific islanders, Fuji natives, and in European countries for many, many years. Some uses of this oil has been for pain relief, chapped skin, skin allergies, abrasions, athlete’s foot, burns, and diaper rash. There are several documented studies regarding the topical use of Tamanu oil and the properties contained within the oil. (see links below)

Tamanu oil is pricier than some oils because it takes A Lot of nuts to produce the oil, but in my opinion, the higher price is quite worth it. I use Tamanu oil, and have been very pleased with the results.

http://www.curaderm.net/pdf/tamanuoil.pdf

http://www.jeannerose.net/articles/Calophyllum_inophyllum.html

Second in a series of posts on herbal and botanical extracts used in cosmetics

Fig extract, derived from the fruit of the fig tree, is relatively new in skin care.  But, figs, and other fruits, such as pomegrantes and olives, have been used to improve health and well being since bible times. 

This extract is high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene.  According to MedLinePlus: “Carotenoids are dark colored dyes found in plant foods that can turn into a form of vitamin A. One such carotenoid is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to certain chronic diseases and play a role in the degenerative processes seen in aging.”

Fix extract also is a wonderful exfoliator because it contains protien dissolving enzymes that act as exfoliators of dead skin cells.  This enzyme exfoliation leaves no flaky skin behind, and the skin feels very soft and smooth.

First in a series of posts on herbal and botanical extracts used in cosmetics

Why use cucumber extract?  First, cucumber extract is high in silicon, sulfar, minerals, and Vitamin C.  Our skin can benefit from these Cucumber extract is a natural emollient and has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and skin tightening abilities.  Alone, cucumber extract can be added to a cosmetic to help the products moisturizing, soothing and cooling properites.  Cucumber extract is used in Herbal Natures toner for its soothing, cooling, and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Tip:  Have you ever seen a picture with women having sliced cucumbers over her eyes?  Well, there is an advantage to doing this.  The next time you experience tired or puffy eyes, make sure your eye area is free of eye makeup, and place fresh sliced cucumbers over the eyes.  Kick back and relax for about 10 minutes.  When you remove the cucumbers, your eyes should feel refreshed and eye puffiness should be reduced.  For an all over facial, make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup, place sliced cucumbers over your entire face, lay back and relax for 10-15 minutes.  The cucumber slices  will help moisturize and restore a youthful glow to your skin.

No one can really claim “all natural” when it comes to minerals or colorants such as oxides. They are naturally derived, but have gone thru a process to remove some of the “natural” ingredients that a person would never want to put on their skin.

Inorganic pigments may be derived from naturally occurring mineral sources, such as titanium dioxide or sericite mica.  They may also be derived from a synthetic produced mineral source, such as ultramarine blue (kaolin clay and other additives fired at high temperatures to produce the color and then cleaned of the sulfer that results from this process)

When mined and in their natural state, often times iron oxides are combined with toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury.  Regulation by the FDA of oxides used in cosmetic colorants helps to assure the toxicity levels of the oxides have been reduced and are safe for the skin.  The process of removing toxins and refining the oxides reduces the natural state to a naturally derived state.

Micas are created by a combination of sericite mica (uncolored mica) and pigments (oxides).  This process reduces the potency of the pigment, creates a more translucent blend,  and offers a rainbow of color variations. 

It is this author’s opinion, drug and cosmetic (D&C) and Food Drug & Cosmetic (FC&C), although approved for use, should not be used in a mineral cosmetic blend.   These colors are synthetically created and reduce the mineral blend to less than naturally derived.  

This original article was written by Melanie McCullough, administrator, in July of 2006