With Christmas just around the corner, the festive natural beauty in us has been busy drawing up our wish list and gifts lists. While doing so, it occurred to us that a number of our #ContentApproved organic beauty picks scream ‘Christmas’ in more ways than one – namely, ingredients. After all, Christmas lore is filled with references to Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold, as are some of our skinfood essentials – so they’re perfectly fit to be under the Christmas tree (yep, any excuse is good)! Here’s where you’ll find them in organic skincare and the benefits they’ll give all year around – not just at this time of year.
Frankincense
History – Also known olibanum, it comes from the resin of the Boswellia trees bark, which grows in African and Arabian regions – with Oman regarded as the most ancient source. Traditionally, Frankincense was used as anointing oil for thousasands of years, burned as incense and also used as make-up by being ground into a powder kohl eyeliner. Today, Frankincense is often steam-distilled to produce an aromatic essential with a characteristically woody, earthy, spicy, and slightly fruity aroma.
Use – Frankincense is all about relaxation – whether it be the facial muscles to help smooth expression lines and wrinkles, or the very effective sedative effect it has when inhaled which deepens the breathing. As such, it is known to improve spiritual connection and relieve anxiety and stress. Used topically, it can help to treat dry skin, reverse signs of ageing and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
Where to find it in natural beauty –
- Tata Harper Stress Treatment and Tata Harper Love Potion: Both these fabulous-smelling natural aromatherapeutic fragrances contain it to reduce anxiety and uplift mood. Apply them on pulse points to feel the almost instant effects.
- Vapour Aura Stain Multi Use Blush contains anti-inflammatory Frankincense in its skin-nourishing formula, alongside antioxidant Tulsi and calming Lotus flowers
- Therapie Restore Aura Spray is a must for city dwellers and travellers! It contains wild Frankinsence to help purify and cleanse the aura as well as frankincense essential oils to comfort and calm the senses. You’ll also find it in the Therapie Joie Bath Infusion – a must for an aromatic, soulful and spiritual bath
- Strange Invisible Perfumes – Music Botanique Eaux de Parfum is a gorgeous organic fragrance contains hydro-distilled geranium and frankincense, which enhance notes of white amber and botanical musk. Atlantic is a warm, layered composition of frankinsence, bay rum, frankincense and English peppermint.
Myrrh
History – Similarly to Frankincense, Myrrh comes from the Burseraceae plant family which is native to the Middle East and Northern Africa and is renowned for its knotted branches, white flowers and light bark. Regarded as a holy oil, it has been used in religious and holy ceremonies for thousands of years. Egyptians also used myrrh to treat hay fever and heal herpes.
Use – It’s a fantastic skin food ingredient! It’s known to help prevent signs of ageing and soothe cracked or chapped skin on lips and body. It’s a favourite for sensitive skins like eczema and to help relieve skin infections. On teeth, it’s also a great mouthwash which can help relieve toothache, gingivitis and mouth ulcers.
Where to find it in natural beauty –
- Vapour Elixir Lip Plumping Gloss and Vapour Siren Lipstick – Two of our favourite organic beauty formulas for lips which are highly protective and hydrating thanks to Myrrh and natural antioxidants. Lush.
- May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon is a gorgeous and calming skin balm containing Immortelle, Frankincense & Myrrh Oils which melts on skin to nourish skin and provide relief to inflamed skin
- Nourish Argan Skin Renew Cream is a rich and easily absorbed moisturiser which contains myrrh and frankincense to improve tone and texture. It has a great scent too! Nourish Kale Anti-Ageing Hand Cream is a great treatment for winter-weary hands as packed with nourishing frankincense, Sicilian Nerloli and Myrrh oil.
- de Mamiel Salvation Body Oil – As the name suggests, it’s a potent skin saviour especially for winter skin and leaves skin super soft and smelling sensual, thanks to Myrrh and Frankincense essential oils.
Gold
History – A beauty elixir since ancient times, it was used by Egyptians as a cure-all. In fact, the infamous Cleopatra is rumoured to have used face masks made of gold to help preserve her beauty.
Use – Gold is said to be anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, as it can help oxygen enter into skin for cells renewal. The ions present in gold help in stimulating cells in your body, leading to improved blood circulation, higher metabolism and secretion of the waste.
Where to find it in natural beauty –
- Live Native Immortelle Gold Firming Serum – A great anti-ageing formulation which contains energizing 23K gold and aloe vera to rejuvenate and repair collagen and aid against inflammatory skin conditions.
- Live Native Botanical Earth Antioxidant Mud Mask – Make like Cleopatra with this deeply cleansing mask rich in acai, cacao and nourishing spirulina with energetically rejuvenating 23K gold leaf.
Read more: CONTENT SKIN SCHOOL – Fermented Natural Skincare
