natural skincare Archives - Soap Deli News

Our skin changes as we age. We’ve come to expect that. However, once those fine lines and wrinkles start to set in, it can be a challenge to figure out which products work best – without causing more harm. Guest writer, Alyson Monaco, shares 12 simple, natural skincare ingredients for women over 40.

Natural Skincare for Women Over 40

Love the skin you’re in! At least that is the goal most women have as age creeps up. It is no secret that skin changes as we age and some women face dramatic changes, whether it be with a sudden surge of acne, dryness, skin elasticity, and so on. Yes, even after 40, acne can suddenly become an issue! Who wants to deal with that?! It is important to create an age-friendly skincare routine.

Luckily, the skincare industry has made a point to provide thousands of options to tackle any number of these woes. Take a trip down your local drugstore aisle and you can see the proof. So much proof, it can be overwhelming to decide what to choose. You may pick up containers of face washes and creams and not even recognize the long list of ingredients that promise to brighten your complexion and erase the signs of aging. Are these chemicals actually helping?

You have a right to be concerned about what goes into your products and eventually ends up on your skin. In fact, skin absorbs these ingredients incredibly fast – in under 30 seconds – so it is important to weed out the harmful toxins. This is why a handful of brands have come out with all natural skincare that you can trust. There are even natural skincare products you can integrate into your skincare routine that are not found in your typical drugstore. In fact, you will probably be more successful at the supermarket!

Best Natural Skincare Ingredients

Honey

That’s right! Honey not only tastes delicious, but it can be beneficial to your skin as well. A natural antibacterial, honey is great for battling unwanted blemishes with just a few dabs. It is also loaded with those helpful antioxidants that help to soothe and moisturize skin. It becomes a great anti-aging tool, as it can be worn on its own as a mask or mixed with other skin-loving ingredients. Either way, you’ll want to eat it right up!

Green Tea

While drinking a cup of green tea is a nice way to start the day, it is also a great addition to your skincare routine, transforming the surface from the inside out. This tea packs a punch with a high concentration of powerful antioxidants that protect your skin cells from damage. Combined with the caffeine stimulation of green tea, these antioxidants provide some amazing anti-aging effects. Green tea can be found as an ingredient in masks and moisturizers as well, so it is worth putting on your list the next time you hit the store.

Avocado

They may be all the rage on your morning toast, but did you know that avocado is actually an incredible moisturizer? Fact. We eat avocado because they are full of “good fats” for our diet, but those fatty acids are also perfect for keeping your skin supple and nourished. The oils in avocados contain both vitamin E and potassium, making them a perfect addition to your routine. Want a perfectly hydrating mask for your entire body? Mash up an avocado and mix it with honey for an all-over treat!

Sea Salt

As skin ages, it slowly starts to shed dead cells and can show signs of dryness, causing those unwanted wrinkles to be a little more exaggerated than you may like. Therefore, it is important to add exfoliation into your skincare routine. Enter the perfect exfoliator – sea salt. Adding this simple ingredient to your cleansing regimen will help remove dead skin cells as well as keep your skin’s oil production balanced, preventing extra dryness and breakouts.

Essential Oils

Essential oils have been around for a long time, but over the past five years or so the industry has taken some heavy strides, and with good reason. There is an essential oil for almost everything, including skin. If you have sensitive skin, try a chamomile oil for its soothing properties. If you find that your skin suffers from inflammation, causing discoloration, give lavender or tea tree oil a try. Dull skin? Carrot seed oil is for you! There are hundreds of options and dozens of brands. A few drops go a long way and can be mixed with cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to create the perfect mixture for your unique skincare needs.

Vitamin E

You may love the sun, but it is not uncommon to see aging skin associated with sun damaged skin. Prolonged sun exposure, as we know, can lead to skin melanomas and other unwanted medical issues, so it is so important to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Vitamin E can really make a difference here and can be found in oil form as well as within some of your favorite foods like broccoli, salmon, and sunflower seeds, and has been shown to significantly reduce UV damage.

Spearmint

Wrinkles be gone! Spearmint is here to save the day! The subtler of the mints, spearmint holds a skin-loving secret. Another amazing antioxidant to add to the list, spearmint increases skin elasticity. When skin loses its elasticity, or tightness, wrinkles form, immediately giving way to one of the most common signs of aging. As an added bonus, this magic mint can aid with acne struggles and discoloration from breakouts. Spearmint, like many other natural ingredients can be found in a concentrated oil format, but is also commonly found in teas.

Hyaluronic Acid

One of the major aspects of keeping skin looking young is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. You may have seen hyaluronic acid in the list of ingredients in your natural skincare moisturizer or lip balm, and you should be thrilled it was included. Hyaluronic acid is actually made naturally by your body and is responsible for helping your skin retain moisture. When skin is moisturized, it creates that plumping effect, filling in the fine lines caused by aging, making them less and less noticeable. By adding hyaluronic acid to your products, your skin is sure to remain firm and bright for years to come.

Collagen

You may have heard about collagen over the years, but did you know that it is one of the most abundant proteins found in your body? Found in everything from skin and muscles to bones and ligaments to your blood, collagen may just be one of the most important natural skincare ingredients for skin health. Similar to hyaluronic acid, collagen aids with the elasticity of skin. Unfortunately, as you age, the body does not produce as much collagen as it did when you were in your twenties. Collagen can be taken as a supplement, but is also found in many natural skincare products on the market today.

Shea Butter

A product that has been around for seemingly forever, shea butter is a wonderful addition to consider when it comes to a natural body moisturizer. While it is not recommended for the face, shea is perfect for any skin type because it is gentle, as not to irritate those who have sensitivities, such as eczema or body acne. It absorbs quickly and can provide a thin UV barrier, making it perfect for those who just want to grab something light and get out the door. Luckily, the news of shea butter’s benefits spread like wildfire and the product can be found virtually anywhere.

Aloe Vera

Your first thought of aloe may lead you to the green gel in the sun-care aisle of the drugstore, as this is probably the most commonly sold variety. However, pure aloe vera gel can be taken right off the leaf of the plant and used to fight the signs of aging. The reason aloe vera is so often used as a treatment for sunburn is the same reason it is great for skin in general. Aloe is able to keep your skin hydrated while also stimulating new cell growth. Not only that, but it also contains both vitamins E and C, making it a triple threat of skincare items. An aloe plant is fairly simple to tend to, so it is definitely worth keeping around the house. From plant to skin – how much more natural can it get?

Rosehip Oil

Still a part of the family of magical oils to help the skin, rosehip seed oil holds a special place in the mix. This oil, while sounding dainty and light, works deep within the skin to urge cells to produce more collagen. Remember, more collagen equals tighter skin. When skin elasticity is improved, wrinkles are reduced and other bodily signs of aging such as stretch marks, dark spots, and scars begin to fade away. Don’t let the title fool you. A little rose can make a big difference.

Women over 40 rejoice! There is hope for your skin and it is all natural – and may be just a supermarket aisle away. You no longer need to worry about the insanely long list of chemically-derived ingredients in your skincare. Your natural skincare regimen does not need to be complicated or incredibly expensive. There are so many simple options you can mix and match on your own, as well as some fabulous makers who have already done the work for you.

Natural skincare is worth the time and effort finding the right combination for your skin. It is safe and effective and you are in complete control over what you do and do not use. Treat your most troubling signs of aging with ingredients you can trust and go back to again and again. It will be one less stress and a lot less wrinkles! The natural route allows you to age gracefully so you can spend the next 40 plus years fielding compliments like, “Your skin looks incredible!” Now that’s what every woman wants. It is time to love that skin you’re in.

Alyson Monaco is a published writer, expert in health and fitness, and professional dancer hailing from New Jersey. Her love of how the body works began through early dance training, which lead to a major in Dance at internationally renowned Boston Conservatory. Aside from movement studies, she was trained extensively in kinesiology, anatomy, and nutrition. These would only aid in her pursuit of both Group Fitness and Personal Training certifications through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)/National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Alyson has been actively working as a fitness instructor, Personal Trainer, and nutrition coach since 2013 and has been writing on her areas of expertise since 2016. She loves working one on one with people of all ages and ability, and truly enjoys helping people find a better quality of life.

This natural bacuri body butter recipe is the best and only body butter recipe you’ll ever need! Formulated to moisturize and nourish dry and maturing skin, this non-greasy bacuri body butter recipe is crafted using three simple ingredients from the Brazilian Amazon forest. Each of these unrefined, cold pressed ingredients possess unique anti-aging skin care properties. So skin looks and feels younger with every use.

Let’s talk about aging.

I was looking at my hands the other day and I thought, OMG. I have crepey skin! I mean, I guess it was bound to happen at some point. No one has yet to figure out how to stop the aging process. (And if someone ever does, I’d like to go back ten years and push the hold button there.)

I’ll admit I’ve been freaking out about this aging thing. My thirties were fine. I’ve always looked younger than I really am anyway. However, my forties are a different story. And with everyone using filters on their facebook and instagram selfies, it feels like we’re supposed to look young regardless of how many years pass. It’s no wonder that being bombarded with these expectations of youth that we begin to feel insecure as we age.

My forties have been more challenging for me than any other decade. So if you’re rounding that bend, please know that you definitely are not alone. I feel like I’ve been spending an insane amount of money on beauty products to try to gain that filtered photo look. And I’m still wrangling with my own inner voice to age gracefully. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a way to reconcile how I look with how I feel I should look.

I can’t be the only one determined to start a savings account to have my chin (waddle?) sucked out when I hit my mid-50s. Which, incidentally, is how you get those high, defined cheekbones as you age. It all just starts to slide downward and pool under you chin.

I don’t have the answers to boost my self-esteem or yours at the moment. However, I do think it’s important to address aging. Aging happens to everyone. Yet, I think we often feel alone in how we address our own aging process. We struggle with it inwardly instead of joking about it with our inner circle. We try to hide every wrinkle and erase every age spot instead of embracing the new beauty we are becoming. And we are beautiful.

We women, we create life. We bring joy, passion and heart to the world. We love deeply. We live with intent. So what if our tits hang past our bellies and our butts go flat. We are capable of creating magic.

Still, crepey skin straight up sucks. Magical or not. And as our hands seem to be the telltale sign of a woman’s true age, I of course made a recipe for that. Chuckle if you must; my BFF does. But this stuff is the absolute best and only body butter recipe you’ll ever need.

The best AND ONLY body butter recipe you’ll ever need.

The secret to this amazing bacuri body butter recipe lies somewhere deep within the heart of the Brazilian Amazon forest. Crafted using three simple ingredients found in Brazil, this natural bacuri body butter recipe is, by nature, a magical product for maturing skin.

Bacuri butter, tucuma butter and brazil nut oil come together in my bacuri body butter recipe to form a nourishing, non-greasy body butter. While I don’t have the answer to the mystery about how these plants came to have so many beneficial skin care properties, what I can say, is that these ingredients have the perfect properties to soothe, nourish and condition aging skin. So not only does skin look youthful, plump and healthy, it also feels that way.

About the ingredients in my bacuri body butter recipe.

What is bacuri butter?

Bacuri butter is the most magical of all beauty butters. A highly emollient and moisturizing butter, this product is derived from the seeds of the fruit that grow on the Bacuri tree. Found in Northern Brazil, where the bacuri fruit is harvested in the wild, this dark brown solid butter is extracted from the seeds through the cold-pressed processing method.

Bacuri butter is a semi-solid with a melting point similar to shea butter. Therefore it makes a suitable substitution for shea butter in any homemade body butter recipes. Unlike shea butter, however, bacuri butter offers more in the way of anti-aging skin care benefits.

Bacuri butter is suitable for all skin types, including oily and sensitive skin. It doesn’t feel greasy. Instead, bacuri butter leaves skin feeling velvety smooth upon application. When used in anti-aging skin care formulations, bacuri butter lends the finished product its firming, moisturizing, astringent and soothing skin care properties. Additionally, bacuri butter promotes cellular turnover vital for younger looking skin. It also helps to stabilize skin’s elastin and boost collagen production.

Because bacuri butter has a pleasant, moderately strong natural scent, I chose to leave my natural bacuri body butter recipe unscented. So the natural sweet and earthy scent of bacuri butter shines through. (Learn more about bacuri butter here.)

What is tucuma butter?

Another amazing product sourced from the Brazilian Amazon Forest is tucuma butter. The hard butter in my natural bacuri body butter recipe, tucuma butter comes from the seed of the native Tucuma palm tree. Similar in composition to another Brazilian butter called Murumuru Butter, this butter is also a great ingredient for anti-aging products due to its moisture binding properties and chemical makeup.

Tucuma butter has a natural gloss and is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that help to combat the free radicals that lead to aging. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids which not only promote cell regeneration, but also help to protect and moisturize dry and maturing skin.

What is brazil nut oil?

Known as para-nut, castania and chestnuts of Brazil, brazil nuts are native to South America and are found primarily in the Brazilian Amazon forest. As the name implies, brazil nut oil is sourced from Brazil nuts and is prized for its emollient and moisturizing skin care properties.

Commonly used in the cosmetic industry as a key ingredient in anti-aging products, brazil nut oil also has anti-free radical and antioxidant properties. It contains 75% unsaturated fatty acids in addition to vitamins A and E. Brazil nut oil is also considered one of the best natural conditioners for damaged and dehydrated hair. (If you are allergic to tree nuts I recommend substituting the brazil nut oil with passion fruit oil in my bacuri body butter recipe.)

Natural Bacuri Body Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

1.25 oz. unrefined bacuri butter
1.5 oz. unrefined tucuma butter
.5 oz. unrefined brazil nut oil

Instructions:

You will need a digital scale to make my natural bacuri body butter recipe. (I like this one as its both durable and suitable for a variety of skin care recipes including homemade soaps.)

Begin by weighing out each of the three ingredients and combine in a double boiler. Heat until melted, then mix well to combine.

Pour the melted body butter into two 2.3 oz. glass jars (like these from SKS Bottle & Packaging.)

Allow the bacuri body butter cool completely, then screw on the lids. Label as desired for personal use or gifting.

(It is important to note that this butter will only stay solid in a temperature controlled environment of 75°F or less. For warmer temps, I recommend adding .25 oz. of either beeswax or emulsifying wax and experiment from there for the perfect solution.)

If you like my natural bacuri body butter recipe, then also be sure to try my bacuri butter body balm recipe!

You can buy unrefined fair trade and sustainable ingredients for my bacuri body butter recipe online from Paris Fragrances.

For skin care recipes similar to my natural bacuri butter body butter recipe, be sure to follow Soap Deli News on Pinterest, G+, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Keep it Simple: Natural Skincare for Women Over 40