There is nothing new about skin care, it is just in ancient times, herbal products were the only ones available. It was inevitable once techniques could be use to produce products in huge quantities and science could replicate compounds that the use of herbal skin care products would dwindle. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today and even unknown to a large population.

There are a number of reasons why we have gradually turned our backs on natural skin care products but probably the biggest is the huge commercial market which herbal preparations could never keep up with. The problem with the new generation of herbal products is the preservatives that are added to them in the production process so they will last longer; which unfortunately means they are less effective than home made versions.

However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. There isn't likely to be a revolution against the cheaper mass produced herbal skin care products in the future but just what are these products exactly.

If you have ever experienced sunburn then you will probably have use aloe vera which soothes sun burnt skin, heals cuts and grazes and can be sued to hydrate dry skin. Other household herbs like dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary are good at cleansing but usually when they are in combination with other herbs.

Nature has also supplies us with natural healing herbs that have antiseptic properties like lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel and people still use rose water and lavender water to help condition their skin. Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care and tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Many herbal products contain oils taken from the plants themselves in diluted and undiluted for like tea tree, primrose and lavender oils. Bananas, apple and melon have hydration properties and are very good for the skin, which is why so many manufacturers use them in bath and shower gels etc.

Although it is not something that is mentioned very often but herbal skin care products rarely have any adverse effects on the user and as you can produce them at home, they are very attractive to people trying to avoid anything synthetic. Despite the apparent love for all things herbal, whether mass produced or not, there are occasions when a synthetic skin care preparation may be better than a herbal one.

It pays to look after your skin whether by herbal or synthetic means as it has a major role in protecting us from the elements and sometimes needs a little help.