pure beauty
By Sherrie Strausfogel
native american beauty secrets Harness the wisdom of the original Americans for healthier hair and skin
N
ative Americans were experts at using what nature provided for their medicine cabinet and personal care. No matter where they roamed, they sought out plants for healing. The tribes that inhabited the area that is now Sedona, Ariz., were particularly adept at using aloe, agave, juniper, prickly pear, and yucca to care for their skin and hair.
Aloe Desert-dwelling Native Americans used aloe
Did You Know?
The natural compounds that keep desert plants hydrated can work the same wonders on your skin and hair.
vera gel to expedite wound healing, soothe sunburn, and hydrate skin. Cooling aloe is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti- inflammatory, and antioxidant. Aloe also has phytosterols that help soothe itches and irritation. The bioactive compounds in the plant are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E as well as magnesium, potassium, and zinc that aid healing.
Agave Best known as the tequila plant, many species of agave thrive throughout the Southwestern desert. Agave nectar is antimicrobial and was mixed with salt by Native Americans to heal skin conditions. Agave’s sugars soften skin and lock moisture inside hair. These sugars form complex bonds with internal proteins to add strength, resiliency, and elasticity to skin and hair.
Prickly Pear Native Americans ate the prickly pear and used oil from the fruit’s seeds to help strengthen skin and hair. The oil contains twice as many proteins and fatty acids as argan oil, and is rich in vitamin E, making it an excellent remedy for damaged or mature skin and dry hair. Linoleic and oleic fatty acids help moisturize and restore skin’s elasticity. The vitamin K in prickly pear helps to brighten dark spots and under-eye dark circles.
Juniper Native Americans discovered that juniper berries produce a stimulating, astringent, and detoxifying oil. They used it to remove impurities. Today, juniper oil is a key ingredient in detox skin products. It can balance oily skin and open blocked pores and keep them clear. Juniper improves circulation and reduces swelling, making it an ideal ingredient in massage oil. Yucca Native Americans used the juice from the yucca root to make soap and shampoo because of its ability to lather. Since it’s packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants that soothe and nourish the skin and scalp, they also used it to treat ailments from acne to hair loss. Yucca is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and detoxifying. 28
Revive and soothe your skin with Reviva Rosewater Facial Spray. Aloe, Panax ginseng, and hyaluronic acid help skin retain moisture, while rose and calendula extracts soothe and calm skin. Use on clean skin to tone or mist over your finished makeup to set and refresh.
Soak away daily pollution with Abra Therapeutics Grapefruit & Juniper Cellular Detox Bath. Juniper berry, burdock, and dandelion protect skin from free radical damage caused by air pollution. Essential oils of grapefruit and juniper tone and refresh skin.
Balance out oily skin with Earth Science Clarifying Facial Wash. This mild foaming cleanser boasts a high amount of aloe vera to nourish skin. This formula gently removes oil and other residues while oil-free moisturizers keep skin soft, never dry. Extracts of cucumber, sea kelp, birch bark, and lavender refresh the skin. Revitalize your hair and scalp with therapeutic Desert Essence Tea Tree Replenishing Shampoo. Eucalyptus helps reduce flaking, while prickly pear and yucca add moisture and shine to dry, dull hair. Tea tree oil cleanses without stripping hair’s natural oil, while peppermint oil soothes the scalp.
April 2020
HE_APR20_PureBeauty_JS.indd 28
2/26/20 6:41 AM
