Indian Earthy Naturals : Intense Skin Repair Balm

Salves, ointments, unquents and balms are all basically similar. They are semi-solid herbal mixtures containing oils, butters and waxes but no added water and used for external healing. They soften from the heat of the skin and are generally healing, emollient, nourishing and protective. They are also usually antimicrobial to varying degrees. The consistency can vary from quite hard to soft depending on how the ingredients are blended. The ingredients are usually a wax and an herbal infused oil. The oil helps the medicinal substances absorb into the skin and the wax provides a protective shield that stays in place.

ABOUT THE BRAND

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KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Raw Shea Butter: Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production (1). The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin, and is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils (1). Due to its cinnamic acid content and other natural properties, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties (2). One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations making it beneficial for people with acne (1). Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying and with long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction (1).

• Cocoa Butter: Because of its natural make-up and its nutrient and fatty acid content, cocoa butter is amazing for dry skin and can actually penetrate further than the top layer of the skin, meaning it moisturises deep-down and really nourishes the skin (3). Cocoa butter can also be helpful for many skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and skin irritation. 

• Kokum Butter: Healing butter that can help revitalize skin cells while supporting elasticity and flexibility (4). It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin e, and is non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores), making it a perfect choice for dry, cracked, rough, damaged and calloused skin.

• Jojoba Oil: A natural emollient, it softens dry and irritating spots and restores the skin to a balanced condition, has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammation caused by skin dryness (5). It’s anti-microbial properties and iodine content prevents harmful bacteria growth, which otherwise causes pimples, blackheads, and acne breakouts (5).

• Beeswax: Non-comedogenic in nature, when applied to the skin, beeswax forms a protective barrier that helps protect it from environmental assaults, while also holding in moisture and reducing dryness (6). Like honey, beeswax has antibacterial properties, helping keep skin clean making it a potential treatment for diaper rash and other bacterial skin conditions. A humectant, beeswax attracts water molecules, helping keep the skin hydrated over time (6). A good source of this vitamin, beeswax helps support cell turnover and reconstruction. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, beeswax has been found to help encourage the healing of wounds (6). A great treatment if you suffer from dry skin itching, dermatitis, eczema, or any type of itching related to a skin condition (6).

• Vitamin E Oil: Topical application of vitamin E oil promotes production of two important protein components namely, collagen and elastin that improves skin elasticity (7). This in turn reduces the appearances of the visible age spots, fine lines or wrinkles, and gives a younger-looking skin. Its antioxidant properties further fights off damaging effects of free radicals, and minimizes the chances of appearances of new wrinkles (7). For this reason, Vitamin E is used as a key ingredient in several anti-aging creams and lotions. Vitamin E prevents water loss from the skin, and helps it to retain its natural moisture thus making dull, dry skin look healthy and well-moisturized (7). If it is used for the purpose of deep pore cleansing of dry skin on a regular basis, it restores the normal oil balance of the skin.

• Coconut Oil: Rich in medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides, coconut oil retains the moisture content of the skin, as the fats eliminate moisture loss through the pores on skin (8). Vit E, an antioxidant, found in the oil is essential for healthy skin growth, repair of wear & tear on the skin, and protection against premature aging and wrinkling of the skin (8).

• Neem Leaves Infused Olive Oil: Its natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties can help ease skin irritations, rashes as well as relieve itchiness. It is said to help ease eczema, and can help reduce the appearance of light burns and scars (9).

• Solar Infused Olive Oil Turmeric: Has powerful antioxidant properties, protects against environmental toxins, and has antibacterial properties, turmeric is wonderful for healing acne, blackheads, hyper pigmentation, eczema and psoriasis (10). A powerful component of turmeric (curcumin) inhibits the production of melanin (pigment) in human skin cells and also naturally helps to lower the levels of enzymes within our body, that cause inflammation.(11,12). Turmeric is also known for improving skin’s elasticity (10).

• Patchouli Essential Oil: It regenerates skin cells, which makes it useful for hastening the healing of wounds and to fade scars (13). It tightens and tones sagging skin. Because of patchouli’s anti-inflammatory properties, it can calm skin problems such as sunburn, acne, eczema and other forms of dermatitis, it regulates sebum production and helps treat acne (13). The fungicidal properties make it appropriate for combating athlete’s foot, jock itch and fungal problems of the skin such as Candida. It soothes and smoothes cracked skin (13).

• German Chamomile Essential Oil: The leaves have potent anti-inflammatory properties and anti-bacterial properties that help calm inflamed skin conditions including; acne, rashes, stings and burns (14). Useful for sensitive conditions, reducing redness in the skin and is great for dry skin conditions. Because it is an antioxidant, it helps to prevent premature ageing in the skin (14).

• Tea Tree Essential Oil: Can soothe and help heal damaged skin (15). For scratches and cuts, tea tree oil is an excellent replacement for an antispetic. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal as well (15).

• Cedarwood Essential Oil: Helps cure the inflammation that leads to this irritating skin issue — it reduces skin pealing and treats the infection with its antifungal properties (16). Cedarwood essential oil protects skin pores from letting in dust or any harmful microbes into the body, which lead to acne and skin infections and is also effective for tightening the facial skin and giving it a youthful appearance (16). It also works as an effective bug repellent (16).

IEN's intense skin repair balm comes in a resuable 50gm tin container packaged in a super cute cotton burlap bag. Semi solid in consistency, lumpy to pasty in texture (weather dependent) and golden in color, the balm predominantly smells of coconut oil.

Initially I purchased this balm for my feet which was undergoing a rough patch but unfortunately, I found it too greasy and was afraid it might stain the linen. So instead, I decided to use it as a pre-bath massage oil for my tiny tot and am loving the results.

To use, I take a substantial amount, melt it in the microwave and either add it to coconut oil or massage it directly onto her skin before her mid-afternoon bath.

As I had mentioned earlier, she has dry skin and the cold winter is doing her no favors. The balm does not get instantaneously absorbed into the skin due to the presence of beeswax however when I wash her with ubtan (soap free cleanser), there is no greasiness either on her or the bathtub. The balm's skin nourishing oils and butters, leave her skin super moisturized, hydrated, soft, and mildly scented of herbs. I do not use a moisturizer after which in her case is a big deal! I have even noticed since using the balm, her mosquito bites have become less itchy.

A wonderful product to keep around the home. An all around soothing and gentle balm for dry and sensitive skin, and extremely helpful during the onset of chapped skin.