What’s in your favourite natural beauty products?

If you’re a frequent user of natural beauty and natural skin care products one swizz at your beauty shelf will show up at least a couple of the ingredients below. You’ll be very familiar with names like rose, eucalyptus and patchouli, and probably the scents too, but do you know what they really add to your beauty routines? Here’s a guide to five popular natural beauty ingredients, courtesy of BigGreenSmile.com.

Eucalyptus
Dominant in Australia there are over 700 species of Eucalyptus which is an antiseptic and can be used for treating everything from flu to sore throats and skin and muscle pain. Inhaling Eucalyptus counteracts physical and mental fatigue and clears the head.

The leaves of the Eucalyptus tree are covered in oil glands and it is from the leaves that essential oil is extracted which is clear in colour.  The trees themselves are evergreen and very robust, were you to cut one at the roots it could grown back!

Products that include Eucalyptus include This Works Clean Skin and This Works In the Zone Hot Stone Essence.

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Patchouli
Patchouli is from the mint family of plants and in the Caribbean and across Asia. Patchouli has many useful properties including deodorant, as an antiseptic, an anti-depressant and aphrodisiac!

Patchouli is known to stimulate the mind and relax the body and has been traditionally used to help skin ailments such as chapping and eczema.   Patchouli has a fragrant, rich, earthy, warm aroma and smells so good Queen Victoria is said to put in her linen chests.

Products that include Patchouli include This Works Perfect Cleavage and This Works Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil.

Frankincense
Also known as Olibanum, Frankincense is resin sapped from the bark of the Frankincense tree.  Frankincense slows and deepens breathing and has been used since ancient times to enhance spirituality and prayer.

The ancient Egyptians used Frankincense as a rejuvenating face mask as well as grinding charred Frankincense resin to make a black eyeliner, depicted on so  many hieroglyphics. It can rejuvenate the skin, having an anti wrinkle action and being a natural antiseptic can also help fight infections.

Frankincense has a fresh fruity, spicy smell with delicate, sweet, woody undertones.  It is also edible and has long been used in traditional Asian medicines for digestion and healthy skin.

Products that include Frankincense include This Works In The Zone Bath and Shower Gel and This Works Enjoy Really Rich Lotion.

Rose
Extracted from rose petals, rose essential oil is one of the most expensive and precious of the essential oils, and foremost are its uplifting qualities. It is excellent for all skin types, yet sensitive enough for baby skin, and has a softening action well suited to dry skin. Therapeutic properties include relieving depression, insomnia and nervous tension, and it is believed to induce wellbeing and happiness.

Rose oil can be used to enrich both skin and mind, and it is one of the commonest ingredients in perfumery. The rose is an ancient symbol of love and beauty, and as such it has always been highly prized.

Products that include Rose include This Works Perfect Cleavage.

Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant essential oil, obtained by distilling the pale purple flowers of the aromatic plant. It is best known for its soothing, relaxing action, but the oil is also thought to have antiseptic, anti-bacterial and healing properties, making it an excellent all-round treatment for the skin. Its relaxing qualities may also help to relieve anxiety, sooth headaches and aid sleep.

An ancient treatment for wounds, burns and muscular aches, it is also thought to act as a mosquito repellent. Lavender’s fresh clean scent has long been used in the production of perfume. The Romans put it in their baths to scent the water, also believing that it restored the skin. Aromatherapists believe that lavender balances the body and mind, for this reason it is used to prepare for meditation.

Products including Lavender include This Works Deep Calm Hot Stone Essence and This Works Deep Calm Bath and Shower Gel.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get This Works Clean Face, worth £20, totally FREE when you buy This Works Skin Deep Leg Oil and Perfect Cleavage at BigGreenSmile.com. Offer available while stocks last.

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