Natural Skincare

If you have dry skin, it is important to drink large amounts of water every day, to have a healthy diet with a range of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds (organic as much as possible), but also to increase your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids. These are polyunsaturated oils that exist in every cell of the body, and which can be found in abundance in flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, in fatty fish and in seaweed. These essential fatty acids cannot be synthesised in the body and so need to be taken in through our diet. They are core to the membranes of every cell, so they are vital for growth and health and for the healthy function of the nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems for example. They also help tackle inflammation in the body.

You can also use herbs – internally and externally – to support your body to balance dry skin. Our natural Hydrating Cream can certainly be of help. It is made from a blend of deeply moisturising ingredients to help nourish, moisturise and soothe dry, cracked, irritated and inflamed skin. It is made with chickweed (a potent wound healer rich in vitamins, minerals and mucilage, a soothing, moisturising and skin protective compound), calendula (one of the most well-known herbs for treating inflammatory and infective skin problems, which inhibits bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the skin as well as promoting healing where needed), borage oil (rich in essential fatty acids and naturally anti-inflammatory) and vitamin E oil. Our hydrating cream is particularly helpful for those experiencing eczema.

Perhaps paradoxically, those with oily skin would benefit from increasing their intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids. These are polyunsaturated oils that exist in every cell of the body, and which can be found in abundance in flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, in fatty fish and in seaweed. These essential fatty acids cannot be synthesised in the body and so need to be taken in through our diet. They are core to the membranes of every cell, so they are vital for growth and health and for the healthy function of the nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems for example. They also help tackle inflammation in the body. Increasing your intake of omega 3 fatty acids is generally crucial even for those with oily skin, because we tend to consume a higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids, which in excess are linked to inflammation.

If your skin is oily and you are prone to acne or other blemishes, our Blemish Control Gel may also be of help. It naturally cleanses and protects the skin and helps to prevents and ease skin bacterial infections thanks to natural antiseptic properties. It is also soothing and nourishing, and supports the skin’s natural healing process, easing irritation and inflammation and minimising redness. It contains aloe vera gel, lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oil, calendula tincture and vitamin E.

A body oil is a very effective way of deeply moisturising the skin to keep it healthy, soft, soothed, nourished and firm. Zen Maitri’s Body Oils for Her, Him and They/Them contain lots of nourishing, soothing and protective natural ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E and carefully chosen essential oils to moisturise, refresh and calm the skin. They are very versatile — you can apply them from head to toe as and when required, for instance as an after-shower moisturising oil or a bath oil. Body oils help form a film on the surface of the skin that prevents it from drying out, and limits the impact of external aggressions linked to sun and pollution.

A natural, herbal hair oil such as Zen Maitri’s Hair Oil — combining therapeutic oils, essential oils and herbs — can help strengthen the hair, boost blood flow to the scalp, promote hair growth and enhance volume. It can be especially useful for those struggling with hair loss or dry, damaged hair as a result of colour treatments or straightening. Hair oil can also help to nourish and moisturise your hair, and it can help with frizzy hair.

Our Cooling Cream has been designed to address hot, itchy, inflamed and irritated skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis or dermatitis. It is deeply cooling, soothing and healing, and very gentle on the skin. It nourishes and protects the skin, alleviating any discomfort and minimising any allergic reactions. It is made with a blend of chickweed cream, chamomile cream and vitamin E. A wonderfully cooling herb, chickweed is a potent wound healer. It reduces dryness, itching and inflammation associated with conditions such as urticaria, eczema, dermatitis and acne. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and mucilage (a soothing, moisturising, and skin protective compound), providing nourishment, hydration and protection to the skin. We have also used chamomile in our cooling cream due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory action. Chamomile contains quercetin, a key anti-allergic constituent which soothes and comforts the skin in case of any allergic reactions. It has a skin protective effect against damage caused by excess sun exposure. It helps to reduce redness, itching, and inflammation of the skin caused by allergies, eczema and acne. It is also hydrating and restores optimal skin barrier function, keeping the skin healthy and vibrant. The addition of vitamin E naturally improves the preservation of the cream – but vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant, which helps protect the skin from various adverse environmental factors, including air pollution and solar radiation. Moreover, it speeds up the healing process and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, whether it be acne scars, age spots or any other imperfections.

If your eczema is accompanied with very dry skin, our Hydrating Cream may also be of help. It was formulated specifically to help nourish, moisturise and soothe dry, cracked, irritated and inflamed skin. It also contains chickweed and vitamin E oil, but also calendula (one of the most well-known herbs for treating inflammatory and infective skin problems, which inhibits bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the skin as well as promoting healing where needed) and borage oil (rich in essential fatty acids and naturally anti-inflammatory).

Another potent alternative in the shape of a balm rather than a cream – which is even more moisturising to the skin but may leave more of an oily residue – is our Skin Saver balm. This all-natural and comforting recipe calms rashes, redness, and inflammation. It is made with jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, deeply moistening and soothing herbs like marshmallow root, liquorice root, gotu kola and comfrey root, as well as cleansing, anti-inflammatory and healing herbs like red clover, mahonia, calendula, sarsaparilla and chamomile. It effectively supports the skin’s natural healing and regeneration processes and it smells wonderfully floral, relaxing and uplifting.

Natural floral waters can be delightfully effective face toners. A toner is a water-based solution that gently refreshes and balances your skin, and that can be part of your skincare routine. You can use it to cleanse the skin before applying any oils, creams or balms, for example – or simply spray it on your face throughout the day in warm weather for a refreshing, hydrating and soothing break. We carry two floral waters that can be used as face toners: chamomile water and rose water.

With its gentle, delicate scent, chamomile water has a soothing and anti-inflammatory action on the skin. It is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin, which may be prone to redness and dry patches. It is packed with antioxidants that protect the skin and help reduce blemishes, redness and signs of ageing. It accelerates cell and tissue renewal and gently tones the skin, revealing healthy, bright, glowing skin.

In addition to being luxuriously fragrant and comforting, rose water is an incredibly effective skincare ally. It is nourishing and balancing for the skin, and has been used for millennia to bring a youthful, refreshed complexion. It is deeply hydrating, so it can help prevent and address dryness (whilst balancing the skin’s natural oils) and soothe any irritation. It helps maintain the skin’s pH balance. Its toning, antioxidant and antiseptic properties help protect and nourish the skin, reduce fine lines, prevent infection, enhance natural suppleness and support healing and regeneration.

Soaps is often made with harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, disrupt your hormone levels and that can cause water pollution. Using natural soap bars is a great alternative – just as effective, deliciously fragrant, richly moisturising and good for your skin and for the planet. Browse our range of handmade soaps, which are made with coconut oil, carefully chosen botanical extracts and pure essential oils, and no artificial fragrances or preservatives.

Zen Maitri’s Blemish Control Gel is a soothing, cleansing and toning gel that reduces bacteria to prevent breakouts from forming and addressing existing ones. It supports the skin’s natural healing processes and alleviates any irritation and inflammation. It controls oil and conditions the skin with tea tree and lavender essential oils and anti infective calendula tincture. All of these qualities make it a very helpful product to help alleviate acne. It contains aloe vera gel, lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oil, calendula tincture and vitamin E.

Using a natural body scrub to exfoliate your skin is a great self-caring way to help remove dead, dry surface skin cells and leave the skin smooth to the touch. Our Revitalising body scrub combines the powers of a range of spices, citrus fruits and Himalayan pink salt to cleanse and polish the skin, leaving behind a gently silky feel. It smells vibrantly cheerful and supports blood circulation, warming up your body and supporting natural detoxification processes. It contains calendula infused oil and powdered calendula flowers, which offer multiple beneficial properties that are helpful for repairing and maintaining skin health. It purifies, nourishes and soothes the skin, relieving any soreness and uplifting the spirits.

A balm is a topical herbal preparation for external application on the skin that is made from infused or macerated botanical oils blended with gently melted wax (which can be plant-based or beeswax – Zen Maitri’s balms are always made with candelilla wax, a sustainable and healthy plant-based alternative), and possibly essential oils.

Balms are a very effective way to apply therapeutic herbs to your skin, but they do tend to have quite a greasy texture – if you do not like this, a good alternative can be a herbal cream. Creams are preparations made by mixing oil-soluble and water-soluble ingredients together. Since oil and water don’t mix, an emulsifying agent is needed. If you have made mayonnaise, you know roughly what it takes to make a cream! Because of their water content, creams don’t keep as well as balms, but they tend to have a more cooling effect on the skin.