If you want to take care of your body, enjoying the best of nature, have a look at these herbal soaps. Medicinal properties plus a unique perfume make natural soaps the best choice for any kind of skin. This kind of product usually have a glycerine and vegetable oil base, and do not contain animal products or caustic soda. Caustic soda is commonly used in soaps but also in oven-cleaning products, and can be irritating or unsuitable for sensitive skins. But don’t get confused by the ‘natural soap’ label. Even if they have a high glycerine or essential oil content, all soaps have chemicals in them to ensure their safety.
Tea-tree, lime and aloe vera
This soap comes in liquid form inside a green bottle.
What’s it good for: For over 60 years tea tree oil has been used in Australia as a natural antiseptic and fungicide and has been shown to posses anti-microbial activity against a wide range of bacteria and fungi. Its balsamic qualities, on the other hand, help to soothe an irritated and inflamed skin.
Lime oil is helpful for poor circulation and has good astringent and toning action. At the same time is good to help clear oily skin as well as acne and pimples.
Aloe, one of the most precious cactus in the world, is the third component of this soap. Aloe is believed to have an anti-aging effect on skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory pain-reliever. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it useful in the treatment of acne and other dermatological problems.
Price: £11.50
Available from: Tisserand Aromatherapy, Bath and Body, City Plaza, Makariou Ave., Nicosia. Tel: 22 767979
Orange, ginger and ginseng
This soap consists of a light orange bar.
What’s it good for: The sweet orange is deeply appreciated in China. For years its essential oil has been used to treat oily complexions and mouth ulcers. This soap contains also ginger oil that acts as a stimulant and anti-irritant while giving the product a sweet fragance.
The ginseng root, originally from Asia, is known as the ‘flower of life’. The Chinese claim it has universal stimulating qualities, which preserve youthfulness. Ginseng has a general stimulating action on the body and contains a large number of nutrients, notably vitamins. One of the oils usually used in anti-aging soaps, creams and lotions.
Price: £1.50
Available from: Arran Aromatics, Bath and Body, City Plaza, Makariou Ave., Nicosia. Tel: 22 767979
Jasmine
A light yellow bar with jasmine petals on the top.
What’s it good for? Jasmine originally comes from northwest India. In spite of its expense, jasmine oil is highly esteemed in the perfume industry and is also an ingredient of many soaps, bath products, shampoos, etc. Jasmine is balancing and gentle. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for the treatment of irritated and inflamed skin in particular, but all skin types, dry and oily alike, can benefit from jasmine. Its odour is rich, sweet and strongly floral.
Price: £2,
Available from: Anastassiou Gregory, Old Port Sea Sponge Exhibition, Agia Thekla str. 6, Limassol Tel: 99 462656
Almond
A soap bar in the shape of an almond nut; crushed almond shells have been added to gently exfoliate the skin and smooth away roughness.
What’s it good for: The ancient Romans used sweet almond oil extensively in skincare preparations and it was also embraced as a beautifier in Europe. The herbalist John Gerald claimed its benefits as early as the 16th century.
Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree and it is an excellent emollient and also helps the skin to balance and absorb moisture, making it particularly effective for chapped and irritated skin.
Price: £1.80
Available from: L’Occitane, 20 A&B Them. Dhervis str. 1066 Nicosia Tel: 22 818151
Lavander
A cube-shaped soap bar
What’s it good for: Because of the high percentage of linalool that it contains, lavender oil is excellent for promoting healing and for balancing the skin; because of its cytophylactic properties it also helps to reduce scarring and stimulates the growth of new skin cells.
Lavender also tones the skin and is useful for a variety of skin problems including abscesses, acne, carbuncles, oily skin, burns, sunburn, wounds and psoriasis. Besides all these medicinal properties, its essence is very popular and widely used in the perfume industry.
Price £4
Available from: L’Occitane, 20 A&B Them. Dhervis str. 1066 Nicosia. Tel: 22 818151
Guarana
A light orange soap bar.
What’s it good for: The guarana is a tropical plant that has been used since ancestral times by the Indians of the Orinoco and the Amazons. It is an active principle rich in natural caffeine (22 per cent) and teo-bromine which possesses an important anti-cellulite effect. Thanks to its draining and keratolytic action, it penetrates into the nodules of fat causing their decrease, since it stimulates the fatty cells for them to eliminate the fats that have been stored.
Price: £2.30
Available from: Korres natural products, Hondos Center, Habitat and Ermes stores islandwide
Calendula
Another light orange soap bar.
What’s it good for: Calendula has been used in the Mediterranean region since the ancient Greeks, and it was known to Indian and Arabic cultures before the Greeks. Traditionally, it was used to treat conjunctivitis, eczema, gastritis, minor burns including sunburns, warts, and minor injuries such as wounds. It has also been used to treat cramps, coughs, and snake bites. Calendula flowers are considered beneficial in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and used as an antiseptic. It has been effective in the treatment of skin ulcerations. Mainly appreciated because of its restorative and soothing properties.
Price: £2.30
Available: Korres natural products, Hondos Center, Habitat and Ermes stores throughout the island
