Cosmetic Richness Of The Himalayan Flora

No smile will help to hide an unhealthy face. It is the only part of the body that always remains uncovered, therefore often exposed to external factors. So, it should be specially taken care of.

Turning to wild plants and believing in their magical powers to improve their appearance is as old as mankind itself. It developed as a cultural tradition whose origins can be traced not only in Europe but also in the countries of the American and Asian continents already thousands of years ago. Ancient Indian and African tribes used to paint their faces with natural plant dyes. Already in those times, balsam, fragrant oils, and ointments were known, which were used not only for aroma but also to protect the skin against insects and various diseases. It was a kind of magical ritual, which today in modern language is called cosmetics.

The word Cosmetic is of Greek origin and means taking care of your body to maintain its physical attractiveness. Today's modern cosmetology is created on a scientific basis, synthesising the latest medical, biological, and chemical discoveries. 

Therefore, a wide range of its application opens up, such as facial cleansing, skin protection, colouring for the prevention of various blemishes and defects. Many manufacturers offer cosmetics that provide skin regeneration functions, prevent ageing and restore a youthful appearance. This is temporary comfort, especially for those who fall for flashy advertising gimmicks.

The whole body works in tandem, and complexion reflects a person's physical and mental health and overall well-being. It is useless to hope for healthy changes if this correlation is ignored. It has been proven that cosmetics work most effectively on healthy people.

The right choice

It is believed that there are three types of skin-- dry, greasy, and normal. This is quite a false assumption. If a person is overweight, it does not mean that the facial skin is oily, or dry for thin people. If you want to know more precisely the condition of the skin, it is best to do a blood test, which will additionally show the actual functions of body organs. Most people ignore these requirements, choose the wrong product for skin care and achieve unsatisfactory results. How to find the answer, for proper skin care, and what products to apply accordingly? The answer is quite simple - they must be organically pure products that are friendly to any facial skin type. 

In any case, the first recommendation for facial care starts with washing it. The most effective is completely pure spring water. Pour water into your palm and splash it on your face. Do this several times and let the water dry on the skin on its own. Sun and water are the best forms of healing that enrich the skin with the much-needed vitamin D.

Soap

If you are in a polluted environment, use soap to wash your face. It neutralises fatty acids and realises dirt. There are toilet soaps that provide defatting of the skin, which are usually flavored and colored.

Cosmetic soaps are also recommended. They contain more plant extracts with a natural aroma. 

Soaps made according to Ayurvedic formula include: 

Chai Soap, loaded with antioxidants that heal and restore damaged skin.

Yak-cow crossbreed milk. It is skin-nourishing and antioxidant. The world's only Yak Milk soap from Himalaya. 

Ash soap. The strongest skin purifier, removing impurities and toxins from the skin. Thus, providing clean and flawless skin. 

Face lotion

Natural lotions are the best. Rose Water, an extract from Attar oils, can also be used. It has a barely perceptible aroma, yet it cleans the skin effectively.

Everyone can prepare an ethanol-free face lotion at home, which has a special cleansing and anti-inflammatory effect. Freshly squeezed cucumber juice is very effective for sensitive skin. Fresh tomato juice, which has a toning effect and leaves a special shade on the face, also helps. Freshly milked cow milk is good for dry and sensitive skin. Splash your face with it. It is an old recipe for replacing water in the early morning hours.

As a natural product, the Anti-Ageing face lotion will do well. It has maximum moisture and long-lasting hydration. Ingredients include Aloe Vera, Argan oil, Carrot seed oil, Jojoba oil, vitamin E, Raw honey, and Lavender. Do not overdose on lotions, they contain alcohol and fatty acid neutralising substances that irritate the skin. 

The skin must be given the ability to regenerate and maintain its natural protective layer that protects against unwanted microbes. The protective functions are destroyed if anti-greasy products are used too often.

Facial compresses

After the skin pores have opened, it is recommended to use a face cream either ready-made or prepared according to a homemade recipe. Very effective for all skin types, here is a mixture of three components.

One egg yolk

One teaspoon of olive oil 

Milk or juice

Apply it all over the face and, if necessary, to the neck area. The mixture contains everything necessary for healthy skin nutrition. Vitamins A, B groups, D, E, and K2, as well as Omega 3. Keep the mask on for 15 to 20 min. After that, rinse with warm water. It is recommended to use no more than twice a week.

Recommended for daily use

It is the familiar coconut oil. Transparent liquid with barely perceptible smell. Especially recommended for all skin types. A great aftershave refresher for men. As well as for women to use throughout the day. In the first moment, the oil makes the skin shiny, then it is quickly absorbed, making it soft and supple. Place the coconut oil in a cold place, if it thickens, it indicates that the product is organically pure. If not, it may contain chemical impurities. When returned to its original room temperature, it assumes its original consistency.

Creams

Facial creams are usually made from various plant oils and cacao butter, animal fats, and yak milk. There are less enriched emulsions and rich and extra-rich creams.

Emulsion creams are slightly runny, thus promoting faster absorption deeper into the skin. It effectively helps to prevent the premature formation of wrinkles.

Rich, half-rich, and dry creams differ in their viscosity, as they contain more fatty substances.

Extra cream is particularly nourishing, promotes effective cleansing, and is recommended for use as a night cream.

No matter what cream you choose, it should provide skin nourishing functions, maintaining and restoring its elasticity, as well as promoting hydration. Cosmetics should be suitable for any skin type. Before use, it is recommended to carefully choose the best for yourself to prevent harmful effects.

Sandalwood night cream

It is known for a specific but very persistent scent that lasts for days. Therefore, it is recommended to use it as a night cream. It contains:

Sandalwood oil

Cocoa butter

Almond oil

Extra virgin olive oil

 Vitamin E

The main ingredient is Almond oil (Amygdalus), which does not irritate the skin and is recommended as a cleanser and emollient for dry skin.

Chamomile anti-wrinkle cream

It contains:

Chamomile essential oil

Extra virgin olive oil

Apricot oil

Cocoa butter

Honey

Vitamin E

Chamomile cream (Chamaemelum) is recommended as a treatment for greasy skin. However, it should not be overdosed. The best effect can be achieved by steaming the face with a decoction of chamomile, and after the procedure, applying a cream.

Hemp - Aloe vera Face cream

It contains:

Hemp leaf extract

Hemp seed oil

Aloe vera juice

Phenonip

Raw honey

Geranium essential oil

Vitamin E

If it were possible to realize all the wealth of the Himalaya Mountain region, its unique flora, full of undiscovered surprises, rich in wild and cultivated plants useful in medicine and cosmetics, then Nepal could occupy one of the leading positions in the perfumery and cosmetics industry with human consciousness shifting radically with growing interest towards domestic products made from wild plants.

The strict rules existing in the world market, full of absurd standards, create an insurmountable obstacle for producers of organic products and even prevent them from getting to know the excellence of their quality. Today's modern cosmetics play more on emotions and try to attract the buyer with bright advertising tricks. The bright packaging is a temporary deception-- after unpacking, we make sure that the product is completely synthetic. In pharmaceutical laboratories, by mixing several concentrates in certain proportions, it is possible to obtain the smell of any plant. 

Without completely knowing the essential properties of the plant, and the peculiarities of its harvesting and processing (which are kept a secret), a self-chosen name is attached to the obtained product, which differs significantly from the original quality of the plant. Then you can guess how the human skin will react in contact with these chemical elements. 

(A press photographer from Finland, the author is studying the culture and costumes of Nepal.)