CosmoBiz Magazine August 2019 Issue | Page 41

Bentonite Clay Clay is one of the more unique ingredients on our list today as it is sold as a dry powder that is then mixed with other ingredients to be useful. When used as a hair and skin treatment, it can help soothe all sorts of issues including overproduction of oil, scalp conditions, while also improving your hair quality. When you are looking for a bentonite clay option for your skin, it’s important to know a few things - how finely is it milled and is it organic? The finer the clay powder, the more effective it will be in your usage. Additionally, because it is milled out of the ground and applied directly, there is no chance for any chemicals or pesticides to be washed away. This makes the organic certification of the utmost importance to keep yourself safe. For facial skin too, it can often be too much and clog pores to cause breakouts. That said, it’s an amazing option for a natural skin softener and has a low level of sun protection. Unlike many of the other ingredients, one of the biggest factors affecting coconut oil isn’t the organic quality, but the harvesting conditions. At the peak of its popularity, it gained serious criticism as many farmers were destroying important native landscapes to plant coconut fields. Additionally, many companies were exploiting their employees with harsh conditions and very low pay resulting in a product that was of questionable moral value. Rose Like with honey, rose is an incredibly hydrating ingredient. It can also help to brighten and refresh dry skin. The most common usage is in rose water toners, which are made by steeping rose petals in a liquid of choice than filtering. The benefits of rose water are often bolstered by other ingredients like witch hazel, but it’s just as lovely on its own. When it comes to rose products, making sure that you’re using an organic option or one that is of an extremely high quality is key. Roses can be difficult to grow in mass, and often farmers resort to using high levels of pesticides and other chemicals to ensure they prosper. This can make rose water dangerous to use, particularly on delicate facial skin. Hemp Oil As one of the newer trendy ingredients, there is still a lot to learn about the effects of hemp oil on the body. What we can tell you is that it makes for a highly effective option for hydrating skin all over. It has an incredibly high content of vitamins and omega 3’s making it a great option for you face and hair. As with any farmed product, knowing where it came from can be important. Because hemp is a new fad ingredient, the risk of having it farmed improperly can be quite high. On the other hand, its popularity also means that there are many options for reasonably priced, high quality, and even organic hemp oil. Coconut Oil Many of us have gotten over our initial infatuation with coconut oil and while it still has many, many uses for hair and skin care, it can also overload your hair with protein causing brittleness and breakage. 41