In both wet shaving and beard care, there are a couple of natural ingredients that seem to keep coming back. These include argan oil, tallow, witch hazel and shea butter. But what do these different natural ingredients actually mean? We will try to sort that out in today’s blog post.
Like everything else, these natural ingredients and others should be used as needed and to the extent that they help.
Argan oil, naturally good for the beard
One of the most used natural ingredients. Argan oil is a natural vegetable oil that is extracted from the argan tree seeds. The oil originates from Morocco, where the argan trees grow naturally. The oil has long been used in skin care products and came to Europe in the 1700s. But has been used in Morocco for much longer. Especially in natural medicine, argan oil has been used for a long time as a natural ingredient.
Argan oil contains a large amount of vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Vitamin E and antioxidants have a good natural moisturizing effect because it contains a lot of fat. Due to these properties, argan oil can have a moisturizing effect on the skin and prevent dehydration and skin aging. In addition, beard and hair strands gain strength, softness and luster thanks to the oil. Therefore, argan oil is one of the most common natural ingredients in skin care products such as beard oil.
Argan oil is found both as a pure product and as an ingredient in a number of products for beard and skin care. It can be used, for example, as a shaving oil before shaving, then it moisturizes the skin and creates an additional protective layer between the razor blade and the skin. Another popular use is as beard oil. This is a product and oil we recommend using daily or as needed. In short, a natural ingredient with many possibilities.
Almond oil provides natural ingredient
Almond oil is one of the most widely used natural ingredients in skin care products. It is available in both pure form and as an ingredient in a number of different products for wet shaving and beard care. The almond oil is extracted from the kernels of the almond fruit.
As a natural ingredient, almond oil has long and traditionally been used for its good properties to counteract various skin problems. Can be used daily or as needed on the vast majority of skin types. Almond oil also has good antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it an even better natural ingredient.
Available either as pure almond oil or as one of several natural ingredients in different types of skin care products such as beard oil, shaving oil, shaving cream or shaving soap. A favorite among natural ingredients found in various skin care products.
Sebum protects and moisturizes
Tallow is a natural animal product that is extracted from tallow oil extracted from the sebaceous glands. The sebum used in skin care products such as shaving soap usually comes from cattle or sheep. Even humans have sebaceous glands in the dermis. The purpose of sebum is to help protect the sensitive skin from dehydration or other ailments that can damage the skin. When the skin is exposed to large amounts of water, it washes away the natural sebum that is present in the skin. To counteract dry skin and skin problems, it can therefore be good to add sebum, for example.
Sebum contains several beneficial substances for the skin such as vitamins A, D, K, E, B12 as well as omega-9 fatty acids. These substances are said to have a good moisturizing and healing effect on the skin. Therefore, sebum is one of the most common natural ingredients in shaving soap.
The use of sebum as a natural ingredient in shaving soap is something that goes back a long way.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel comes from the essence that is extracted by distilling the bark and leaves of the witch hazel trees. The trees are found in North America, Japan and China, among other places.
It has been used in natural medicine for a very long time to counteract and alleviate various skin diseases and ailments. Among other things, witch hazel is said to have a natural antiseptic or antibacterial effect. That is, it prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses in, for example, wounds that can get up in the skin in connection with wet shaving. Therefore, witch hazel can be an alternative to, for example, alcohol used for similar purposes. But witch hazel does not have the same drying effect on the skin as alcohol can have.
Witch hazel is therefore one of the appreciated natural ingredients in, for example, aftershave balm due to its natural antiseptic or antibacterial effect.
Shea butter
Shea butter is a vegetable product extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree found on the African continent. The constituents are a number of different fatty acids.
Shea butter is used in, for example, shaving soap for its very good moisturizing properties to counteract dry skin. Additionally, shea butter is said to have skin-healing effects such as preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses.
The scent of shea butter is reminiscent of cocoa. Commonly found in shaving soap and shaving cream as one of several natural ingredients.
Alun
Alum is, we think, one of the absolute best natural ingredients available. It is very easy to apply and works more or less at once. Alum is extracted by extracting and refining rocks and soils.
The main effect has alum as a blood-stopping effect. When alum is applied, it closes the pores around the wound, which means that the wound heals very quickly. This reduces the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria in the wound. When alum is used, it can sting slightly but it passes quickly.
Alum is mainly used after wet shaving if cuts have occurred. Then these can be quickly and easily counteracted by applying alum, either with the help of an alum stone or an alum stick. Using alum is also slightly less drying for the skin than using, for example, an aftershave splash that has a similar purpose.
In short, alum is a product with natural ingredients we think you should always have at home.
Please read on
The use of natural ingredients in connection with wet shaving and beard care is a good way to reduce the risk of skin problems. Should you experience any discomfort from any ingredient, you should always stop using that product.
Read more about reducing the risk of avoiding shaving problems