Ingredients in Skin Products

If you like to be on our mailing list, please submit your name and email address on Contact Information page.

Skin is the body's largest organ, but many times we forget to maintain its health. It is important to choose natural, organic, herbal products because what we apply to our skin is absorbed into our blood stream and digestive system. Skin care products sold in stores may not be as safe as we think.

For example, US Food and Drug Administration has banned only 11 chemicals from personal care products, while the European Union Cosmetics Directive has banned 1,328. (Wasserman, Elizabeth. "Safety First. Look twice at Products You Use Daily" Massage and Bodywork Magazine. March/April 2014 Issue. http://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=788) Chemicals in lotions, creams, shampoos, body oils, fragrances, hand sanitizers, and other skin care products have been linked to serious health concerns like cancers, immune system dysfunctions, and reproductive disorders, to name a few.

Oils, herbs, roots, essential oils, herb infusions, and extracts are all natural, organic ingredients for healing skin care products. They have been known and used for centuries as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory remedies. They have an amazing ability to help in healing cuts, preventing wrinkles, relieving pains, and keeping skin looking young.

Dr. Yana skin care products are totally natural, plant based, and help the environment due to the biodegradability of natural ingredients. There are no harmful chemicals or additives, synthetic fragrances, artificial preservatives or coloring. They are not tested on animals; it is cruelty free. It is a natural choice for people who care about their health and the health of environment.

For years, Dr. Yana has been studying about natural, organic, holistic remedies and skin care products to use on her own body. During her medical and massage practice, she has seen many people in need for natural creams or other skin products. Now she is very happy to offer them. You can read information on ingredients she uses in her homemade skin products:

Aloe Gel (Aloe vera) is soothing to oily, normal, and dry skin. It helps with sunburn, minor burns, insect bites, rashes, and restore skin pH level. I use fresh Aloe leaves to get gel.
Anhydrous Lanolin is derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep. It is similar to the natural oil in human skin and makes wonderful moisturizer.
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is used in deodorants. It is a starch from several tropical plants.
Avocado Oil (Persea americana) is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. Oil is great for dry skin and hair. It helps to prevent skin moisture evaporation. Particularly good oil for scars, mature skin, and stretch marks.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is skin-soothing and softening. It helps with itch from rashes, insect bites. Also, it is used in deodorants.
Beeswax (Cera alba) is used to thicken creams, balms, and salves. I use unrefined, unbleached, filtered directly from bee-keepers. There no chemicals are used during the beeswax process. It is naturally aromatic, infused with a scent of honey.
Borax (Sodium Borate) is a natural mineral. It is used as a natural preservative. Also, it helps to stabilize creams.
Calendula Flower/Infusion (Calendula officinalis) (antiseptic) is calming, anti-inflammatory, and skin healing herb. It is great for sensitive, acneic, and irritated skin. It is one of my favorite herbs.
Cardamom Pods Infusion/Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) (antispasmodic) is stimulating.
Carrot Seed Essential Oil (Daucus carota) restores elasticity, helps with wrinkles and sun-damaged skin. It is good for all skin types. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Castor Oil (Ricinus communis) is wonderful for nails, dry heels, knees, elbows and patches of eczema and psoriasis.
Cayenne Pepper Infusion (Capsicum annuum) helps to relieve muscle and joint pains and aches.
Cedarwood Essential Oil (Juniperus virginiana) (antifungal, antiseptic, anti-infectious) helps with acne, arthritis, dandruff, psoriasis, and anxiety.
Cinnamon Bark Infusion/Powder/Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) (antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory). AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Clove Bud Essential Oil/Whole Clove Infusion (Eugenia caryophyllata) (antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic) is stimulating immune system. It helps with sore joints and muscles (analgetic). Also used in treatments of warts. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao) helps to thicken creams, balms, and salves. It has high level of saturated fats. Cocoa butter creates a micro-layer on the skin which prevent evaporation of skin moisture. It is good oil for dry skin.
Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera) is good as after-sun treatment. I use unrefined oil.
Comfrey Root Infusion (Symphytum officinale) is healing and soothing. It is good for inflamed, dry, and sensitive.
Echinacea Angustifolia Flower Root (Echinacea angustifolia)
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus radiata) (analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory) is powerful antiseptic. It helps to decongest and open sinuses. It is used for acneic skin. Also, it helps with sore muscles and feet.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is high in gamma-linolenic acid and used in treatment of eczema.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea) has vitamins and minerals. It is great skin softener. Oil is great for dry skin, nails, and feet.
Frankincense Resin Infusion/Essential Oil (Boswellia carterii/frereana) (anticancer, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiseptic) helps to reduce tension and anxiety. It speeds up the skin healing and small wounds. It is good for acneic, dry, or damaged skin. In Chinese Medicine it is used to invigorate blood, promote movement of Qi, reduce swelling, and generate flesh. This herb has a strong ability to transform stasis, resolve toxic swelling of early stages of sores and carbuncles. It is also used to relax sinews, and alleviate pain. Used topically for traumatic injuries, redness, swelling, and pain of gums, mouth, and throat.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is calming and healing. It is good for red, dry, sensitive, itchy, irritated, inflamed skin with acne, allergies, Dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. Also, it is used in treatments of inflamed joints, boils or abscesses, and muscular pains.
Ginger Powder/Essential Oil (Zingiber officinalis) (antiseptic) helps with muscle aches and pains. It helps with rheumatism, sinusitis, sore throat, and fatigue. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Grapefruit Essential Oil/Peel (Citrus paradisii) balances mood and lift your spirit. It is good for acneic and combinational skin. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Green Myrtle Essential Oil (Myrtus communis) (antiseptic, uplifting) opens sinuses. It is good for oily, acneic, combination skin. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Hazelnut Oil (Corylus americana) has oleic acid, vitamins B and E. It prevents wrinkle and rejuvenates the skin. Hazelnut oil is great for acneic skin.
Helichrysum (Hlichrysum italicum) (anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antibacterial, antiviral) helps with healing cuts, wounds, bruises, acne, eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks, scar tissue, sprains, stimulating new cell formation. It helps with pains and aches.
Hemp Oil (Cannabis sativa) has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) is similar to our own sebum. It is believed to regulate sebum production in oily skin when used regularly.
Kukui Nut (Aleurites moluccana) has high amounts of linoleic, alpha-linolenic acid, vitamins E and A. It used for healing chapped skin, eczema, psoriasis, and sunburns.
Lavender Flower Infusion/Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) (antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antifungal, antispasmodic, antimicrobial) is soothing for all skin types, especially for acneic and irritated. It is good for insect bites, cuts, sunburns, burns, bruises, headaches, and muscle pains. Lavender is known for its relaxing, calming effect on the nervous system.
Lemon Peel Infusion/Essential Oil (Citrus limonum) (anticancer, antiseptic, antidepressant, antifungal) is uplifting. It is good for oily, acneic skin. Strengthens capillaries.
Lemon Balm Hydrosol (Melissa officinalis) (antiviral, antibacterial, antidepressant) is uplifting and calming. It is good for all skin types, acneic, herpes outbreaks, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis as it has high anti-inflammatory properties. Also, it is skin soothing.
Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia integrifolia) is high in monosaturated fatty acids. This oil is close to our own sebum and penetrates well into skin. It is good for irritated and sunburned skin.
Mustard Seed Oil (Brassica juncea) has warming property and used for sore and stiff muscles.
Myrrh Gum Resin Infusion (Commiphora myrrha) (antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor) speeds up healing of small cuts, insect bites, and prevents infection. Also, it acts as a natural preservative in cosmetic products. In Chinese Medicine it is used to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, invigorate blood, dispel blood stasis, and promote healing (used topically for chronic non-healing sores). Used for traumatic injury, carbuncles, sores, swelling, and painful obstruction.
Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica) (antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal) is good for acneic skin and used in antifungal remedies for feet and nails.
Nutmeg Powder (Myristica fragans) is antirheumatic, muscular tonic.
Peppermint Essential Oil/Herb/Infusion (Mentha piperita) (antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, decongestant)
Plantain Leaf (Plantago major) (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial). It is used for wound healing, cuts, insect bites, and rashes.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar has malic acid. It relieves scaly, itchy skin and restores natural pH skin level.
Raw Californian Honey is great for dry skin. I use unprocessed honey from a local bee-keeper. Honey can be used to help burns and wound healing (antimicrobial).
Rose Geranium Essential Oil/Hydrosol (Pelargonium graveolens) (antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic) helps with anxiety, stress, fatigue, poor circulation, and water retention. It is good for combination, acneic, mature, and damaged skin; it can be used for all skin types, balancing sebum production. Also, it helps with healing burns and eczema.
Rose Hip Seed Oil/Rose Hip (Rosa rubiginosa/Rosa canina) is high in essential fatty acids. It helps to heal skin damaged by scars, stretch marks, or weather exposure, stimulates new cell growth.
Rosemary Essential Oil/Infusion/Extract (Rosmarinus officinalis) (antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory) helps skin regeneration, opens sinuses, heal wounds, and stimulates hair growth.
Sandalwood Chips (Pterocarpus santalinus) (antiseptic, antitumor, antidepressant) is good for acneic skin.
Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii) used is organic and unrefined. It is high in oleic acid, vitamins E and A, and saturated fats. It helps with wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, sunburns, and windburns. Shea butter is good for dry skin, skin with eczema or psoriasis, damaged skin and hair.
St. John's Wort Infusion (Hypericum perforatum) (antiviral, anti-inflammatory)
Sugar (Brown and White) is abrasive exfoliant. It also contains natural glycolic acid that exfoliates skin on a chemical level.
Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus annus) is high in fatty acids, vitamin A, D, and E. It is great moisturizer for all skin types, but oily. Sunflower oil is similar to our own sebum.
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis) has a high fatty acid content and penetrates skin well. It is good for all skin types, especially for itchy, dry, and inflamed. I use infused Almond oil instead of plain oil. Herbs give more healing power to the products.
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic) is used for overworked muscle, sprains, painful joints and arthritis. It is good for acneic skin and skin with eczema. Also, it is used in decongesting balms. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Sweet Orange Essential Oil/Peel/Infusion (Citrus sinensis) (antidepressant, anticancer, antiseptic) is good for oily, normal, and combination skin. It has calming effect and helps to relieve anxiety. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alfernifolia) (antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, decongestant) helps with acne, open wounds, sunburns, burns, cuts, infections, abscesses, rashes, and dermatitis.
Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris) is highly antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. It helps with rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. AVOID IF PREGNANT!
Vanilla Beans (Vanilla planifolia) balances mood and reduces stress.
Vegetable Glycerin brings moisture from the air to the skin.
Vitamin E Oil (D-Alpha Tocopherol) helps with burns, stretch marks, and wounds.
Vodka is used to make herbal extracts is 80-100 proof.
Water (Aqua) mostly used Calistoga distilled spring water. Distilled water is void of bacteria and does not contain contaminants into the products.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a gentle astringent.
Yaroow Flower/Infusion (Achillea millefolium) (anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic) helps in healing wounds. It is good for oily, acneic, normal, combination, inflamed skin. Also used for arthritis.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) (antidepressant, antiseptic) balances mood, calm the mind, and relaxes central nervous system. It regulates the skin sebum production. Good for all skin types.

Info: In Dr. Yana practice, she does not use lotions or creams commercially made as to blend ingredients together synthetic, heavily processed chemical mixture might be used which has thickening agents and fatty alcohols. Also, she does not use Grape Seed and Soy Oils as they are heavily processed and extracted with strong solvents according to Ann Williams.

Work Cited

Ann Williams. Lubricants: Understand Your Options. Massage and Bodywork. May/June 2014. Print.

Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils. Sebastopol: Simplers Botanical Company, n.d.Print.

Bebsky, D., Clavey, S., & Stoger, E. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica 3rd Ed. Seettle, WA: Eastland Press, Inc.

Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils. 5th ed. Orem: Aroma Tools, 2014. Print.