Learn about our favorite ingredients…

Mother Nature really does look out for us and it's time you start looking out for yourself as well. Here at Velvet Rainbow, we focus on soothing & repairing skin, as well as indulging in self care. See the list below for ingredients used in some of our products and the ways they can help you and your body!

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CLAYS

Natural clays are known for their amazing cleansing and purifying properties that leave the skin balanced and clean. Most clays aid in treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, and can reduce the appearance of scars while drawing out toxins from the skin. Depending on your skin type, one type of clay may be better suited for you than another. Clays are most beneficial with those leaning more towards oily skin types, but rose clay is one that is great for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive.

 

OILS

It may seem scary at first, but don’t shy away from the thought of putting oil on your face. Facial and essential oils offer a wide range of benefits from soothing inflamed skin to straight up hydrating! It’s important to recognize that all oils are not created equal, and know that there are a vast variety of oils to choose from. Overall, oils provide moisture to the skin and it’s up to you to find which is best for your skin type. For example, someone with oily skin would benefit from hemp, sunflower and rose oil. A person with dry skin would benefit from jojoba, geranium and patchouli oil. The combinations are endless so do your homework and figure what works.

 

HERBS

Beauty blooms from within, and that happens when we use plants, flowers and herbs both topically and in our diets. Using plant-based extracts in skincare is nothing new, but is often not marketed that way. Herbs contain natural antioxidants, vitamins and antibacterial properties, making them effective in helping with many skin issues. Whether you’re looking for something to soothe inflamed skin, fight acne or just tone and tighten, we’ve got you covered. Well, Mother Nature does.

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Ingredient & Benefit Dictionary

Activated Charcoal - Charcoal is known for being the best natural pore cleanser as well as its ability to absorb and draw out oil from the skin. The antibacterial properties can also help alleviate infections and prevent acne. Activated Charcoal removes toxins and impurities and offers a deep, yet gentle exfoliation for smoother, glowing skin.

Aloe Vera - There’s a reason Aloe Vera is known as the “Wonder Plant.” It’s soothing, emollient, and antibacterial, heals skin irritations, burns, and wounds, promotes new skin growth, moisturizes, protects, and counters the effects of aging. The plant is also extremely effective in restoring skin damaged by the sun's UVB rays.

Bentonite Clay - Created from volcanic ash, it absorbs dirt, oil, and toxins from the surface of the skin, cleanses, tightens, and tones. This clay lends a slippery feel to soaps and increases lather, great for purifying the skin, helpful in treating acne, eczema, itching and hives. This texture is great for shaving soaps, as it helps the razor glide over the skin. It has strong oil absorbing properties, and is able to absorb more than its mass in water. This makes bentonite clay a great choice for very oily skin, as well as very sensitive and problematic skin.

Beetroot - High in Vitamin C, beetroot has many beneficial effects on skin cells. Beetroot is high in antioxidant properties, making it a great anti-inflammatory and amazing for acne prone skin. When applied to the skin helps lessen the appearance of scars, and helps repair and prevent dry, itchy skin.

Black Sea Salt - The texture of this salt makes it ideal for cleansing and exfoliating the skin. Black Sea Salt detoxifies the skin, and helps bring the glow back by unclogging pores, and reducing oiliness and dullness. The minerals in the salt also help strengthen hair and treat split ends, also aid in reducing dandruff and boosting hair growth.

Black Tea - Helps Reduce under-eye puffiness and can help tighten skin, reducing the chances of premature wrinkling. Black tea is also rich in antioxidants, protects the skin from UV exposure, accelerates healing and treats blemishes.

Blood Orange - Rich in Vitamin C and Anthocyanins, which help reduce inflammation and fight off free radicals.

Blueberry - High in antioxidants, which helps fight off free radicals and may help slow signs of aging. Blueberries also promote skin healing. We never recommend applying blueberries to a fresh/open wound.

Brown Sugar - Sure, the sweet treat is amazing for a good exfoliation, but did you know that brown sugar also naturally contains Glycolic Acid? This alpha-hydroxy acid helps lift away dead skin cells and impurities on the skin. This encourages cell turnover, which creates fresher, firmer, younger skin. Once exfoliated, the skin is more susceptible to moisture and other oils. Brown sugar then pulls moisture from the environment into your skin, giving it a major boost of hydration.

Calendula - This flower has been used for centuries to help heal infections and treat skin ailments. Calendula promotes cell repair and growth and is a natural antiseptic. It’s anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal in healing and soothing eczema, acne, sunburns, cold sores, rashes, wounds and stings. It’s gentle enough to soothe diaper rash, and effective enough to soothe genital herpes sores. This flower is magical.

Chamomile - This flower isn’t just for tea. Chamomile contains anti-irritants which soothes dry, sensitive skin. This aids in reducing redness, itching and sensitivity in inflamed skin, making it perfect for allergy sufferer. Chamomile also helps reduce swelling around the eyes and soothes soreness. In hair care, chamomile can help soothe a sensitive, itchy, flaky scalp.

Chia Seeds - Natural Exfoliant.

Cinnamon Oil - This EO helps decrease stress, boost your mood and stimulate libido. When applied to the skin it can also help decrease sugar cravings, and may help balance blood sugar levels.

Clary Sage - This EO helps ease aches and pains, promotes circulation, has anti-aging properties, soothes dry and blemished skin, and has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also balance hormones, cool the respiratory system, boost libido and help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. In hair care, Clary Sage can save fragile hair, promote hair growth, and is great for all hair textures.

Cocoa - Cocoa Powder is packed with antioxidants and caffeine, helping it fight off blemishes, repair dull looking skin, tone and tighten the skin as well as eliminating excess fluid retention. This powder gently exfoliates, repairs skin cells and offers hydration, leaving your skin rejuvenated and moisturized. Cocoa Powder also lessens redness and inflammation caused by acne, improving your complexion.

Coconut Milk - Adding this milk to your skincare routine can help heal blemishes and will make your skin glow. In hair care, Coconut Milk can promote hair growth, repair damage and smooth out frizzy hair.

Coconut Oil - This oil is emollient and healing, and is used in soaps to produce a big fluffy lather. Coconut Oil increases hydration, heals skin at a faster rate (antioxidants) and aids in collagen production, making it great in anti-aging. We use only cold pressed certified organic coconut oil in our products.

Coffee - Coffee grounds exfoliate away dead skin, helping speed up cell turnover and leaving smooth, supple skin. The caffeine in the coffee grounds help tighten the skin, reduce puffy eyes (temporarily) and clears cellulite.

Cucumber - Consisting of 95% water, Cucumber is extremely cooling, soothing, and healing. The cooling properties help relieve redness, and acne, while soothing sunburn, windburn, and skin eruptions. Cucumber also keeps unwanted oils at bay, while simultaneously hydrating the skin. Maganese and Potassium are also present in cucumber, making it beneficial for tightening the skin and reducing signs of aging.

Essential Oils - Essential Oils are fragrant natural botanical extracts that possess many healing properties on both the physical and emotional levels. They are used in the ancient art and science of aromatherapy, are used in certain healthcare practices, religious ceremonies, beauty treatments and food preparation. Each essential oil varies in its natural makeup, making its aromas and benefits unique.

Eucalyptus - This EO relaxes sore muscles and relieves congestion. In hair care, Eucalyptus stimulates hair follicles, which promotes hair growth, and improves overall hair health. When applied topically, Eucalyptus oil can protect cuts, burns and insect bites from infection and helps speed recovery. This essential oil helps promote feelings of relaxation and lessen feelings of tension.

Fragrance Oils (Phthalate Free) - Phthalates are a group of chemicals found in many products from toys to nail polish, and are used to make products flexible and harder to break. They’re typically added to Fragrance Oils for a number of reasons; they help fragrances blend better, breakdown easier and last longer, but they do have potential health effects. We’ve found vendors that offer Fragrance Oils that have been reformulated without Phthalates, making them the perfect solution when adding fragrances that are not available in an essential oil.

Frankincense - Cleopatra is said to have incorporated Frankincense into her very famous beauty regimen, and if that isn’t enough reason to add it to yours, here’s why. Frankincense is a perfect ingredient when it comes to anti-aging, anti-acne and reducing hyper-pigmentation. This ancient substance has natural astringent properties, which helps it balance oil production while tightening the skin and restoring elasticity. Frankincense offers a healthy dose of aromatherapy as well. It is said to help lower stress levels, calm anxiety and promotes sleep and relaxation.

French Clay - This clay comes from France and is known for its terrific oil absorbing properties. It has a fine texture and is commonly used for color and oil absorption in facial masks. The light green color comes from decomposed plant matter and iron oxides. It’s best suited for oily skin types.

Geranium - This floral oil is a natural astringent, deodorant and muscle toner, keeping your skin tight and toned, free of acne, dermatitis, and smelling of flowers. This oil is one of the few that is great for any skin type. Whether it’s dry, normal, combination, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone, Geranium will be a great benefit to your skincare routine. Geranium is also a natural bug repellant, healing insect bites and stops itching. When used in hair care, this oil is great for both oily and dry hair, giving it a vibrant, healthy glow.

Ginger - This root is extremely healthy when consumed, but when applied to the skin, it’s jam-packed. Ginger has many anti-aging properties as well as anti-bacterial. Ginger fights off toxins and bacteria, keeping skin glowing and acne free. This superfood soothes away puffiness, sunburns, while toning and brightening the skin. Next time your skin is beginning to look a little dull, grab the ginger.

Ginseng - With its anti-aging and antioxidant properties, this root is commonly used for homeopathic treatments. Ginseng aids in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, brightens complexion, encourages natural glow and keep skin soft. In hair care, ginseng promotes hair growth. Its scent brings increased levels of energy while reducing feelings of stress, worry and mental exhaustion.

Grapefruit - This citrus EO helps balance your senses, uplifts spirits and helps purify the skin, ridding of excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells. Rich in antioxidants, grapefruit helps treat acne, prevents infections and heals wounds. Grapefruit oil nourishes the skin from within, brightening complexion and giving skin a healthy glow.

Hemp Oil - Hemp Oil is great for any skin type. It’s ability to moisturize without clogging the pores helps balance out oily skin and regulates the skin’s oil production. Hemp also contains Omega-6 Fatty Acids, which acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. This soothes inflammation in the skin that may be caused by acne and other conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Hibiscus - Dubbed as the “Botox Plant,” Hibiscus helps even skin tone, boost moisture, increase collagen production and tighten fine lines. Hibiscus is a natural exfoliant, making it ideal in preventing breakouts, clearing clogged pores and promoting blood flow. Hibiscus also helps reduce damage caused by UV rays, pollutants, dust and disease. In hair care, Hibiscus is a natural shampoo and can encourage hair growth. Hibiscus also eliminates dandruff, reduces the amount of greyness and strengthens the overall health of the hair. 

Himalayan Pink Salt - This sea salt is a rock salt mined from ancient salt beds within the Himalayan Mountains. Protected from pollution and impurities since their formation 200 million years ago, Pink Himalayan salt is believed to be the purest form of salt available. The color of pink sea salts range from white to a deep shade of pink. This sea salt possesses the ability to re-mineralize the body with minerals and trace elements essential to soften skin as well as ease aches and pains. 

Jojoba Beads - This biodegradable exfoliant is made from Jojoba Oil. These beads are suitable for sensitive skin due to their spherical shape. While some exfoliates are jagged and can create microscopic tears on the skins surface, jojoba beads are smooth and gentle, preventing premature aging.

Jojoba Oil - A natural mimic of the oil secreted by human skin used to protect against premature aging and wrinkling and to lubricate skin and hair, a pure liquid ester that will never go rancid, non-comedogenic (will not clog pores), a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, a soothing and conditioning agent, and useful for the treatment of acne, also great for sensitive skin

Lavender - This EO adds a calming scent helping reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Lavender has a fresh and floral scent and aids in soothing cuts, scrapes, burns, cold sores, insect bites and acne. In hair care, lavender can soothe irritated scalps and remove product buildup.

Lemon - Both lemon juice and peel are great for fighting against acne breakouts, ridding of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and removing excess oil from the skin. The end result is skin that is brighter and younger.

Lime - Lime EO is beneficial for both oily to normal skin.

Matcha / Green Tea - This green powder contains high amounts of chlorophyll, which protects the skin from sun damage, shielding it from impurities and chemicals in our environment that could clog our pores. Matcha also has many anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce redness caused by rosacea and acne.

Mint (Pudina) - Mint is extremely beneficial for the skin; it’s refreshing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing. This makes it effective in preventing and treating acne, helps control oily skin, soothes mosquito bites and blemishes, leaving the skin looking bright and refreshed. Mint is also a natural astringent and tones the skin while offering a nice hydration boost. Mint can also boost blood circulation, leaving the skin rejuvenated and nourished. This in turns slows aging and delays the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. It’s antioxidant content helps diminish dark circles under the eyes giving your complexion a more awake look.

Moringa - This vitamin rich powder helps boost collagen in the skin, reducing fine lines, sagging skin and wrinkles. Moringa also helps clear blackheads and pimples, and minimizes inflammation and the appearance of dark spots.

Moroccan Argan Oil - This oil is well known for its intense moisturizing properties and large amounts of vitamin A and E. Moroccan Argan Oil reduces the appearance of wrinkles, scars, restores elasticity, prevents stretch marks and nourishes dry skin. In hair care, this oil tames frizzy hair, repairs split ends, nourishes the scalp and promotes the hair growth of softer, silkier, thicker hair.

Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica) - From a tree native to India, Neem Oil is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, commonly referred to as the "village pharmacy." This antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, insect repellant kills parasites, fights acne, ringworms, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, skin cancer, wounds and sunburn. In hair care, Neem Oil promotes hair growth, rids of dandruff, improves scalp health and maintains the scalps PH levels. It’s said that this oil can also treat head lice on humans and is a chemical-free alternative to flea control on both cats and dogs.

Oatmeal - Oatmeal is one of the gentlest natural exfoliants. It leaves a silky texture and is very soothing on irritated or sensitive skin, making it ideal for anyone with inflammation on the skin, babies and pets.

Olive Oil - High in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, olive oil is a powerful antioxidant and a superior moisturizer. It is used to nourish and protect the skin, combating the effects of aging. Olive oil draws moisture to the skin while allowing normal skin functions to take place, making it one of the very best oils for natural skin care. We use only cold pressed certified organic extra virgin olive oil in our products.

Parsley - This common kitchen herb has many uses outside of the kitchen. Parsley promotes circulation and relieves muscle and joint pain. Parsley can help minimize the appearance of freckles and tone the skin.  

Patchouli - This EO reduces the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes while also deterring environmental pests. Patchouli has the ability to cool and calm emotions, promote confidence and give your libido a boost.

Peppermint - This EO is an excellent toner! Peppermint aids in brightening skin tone, controlling acne and repelling insects. In hair care, peppermint promotes hair growth and is suitable for all hair and scalp types.

Poppy Seed - A powerful exfoliant.

Rose - High in antioxidants, Rose helps fight off the signs of aging and regulates oil on the skin. Rose also has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps reduce dark circles under the eyes, acne and rosacea. The natural oils found in roses help regenerate skin cells and lock in moisture, leaving you with renewed, healthy skin. The scent of roses are said to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and boost your mood.

Rosemary - This natural deodorant has a fresh herbal scent and has many skin benefits. Rosemary has strong anti-inflammatory properties, helping soothe skin with eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It’s ability to control oil on the skin makes rosemary and ideal toner for oily, acne-prone skin. Rosemary also has many anti-aging properties, helping rid of under-eye bags, tightening the skin and decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In hair care, rosemary hydrates, darkens and encourages hair growth. Rosemary keeps irritants away from the skin, relieving dry itchy scalps and dandruff and leaving behind thicker, shinier hair.

Rose Clay - This clay is considered a type of kaolin (kaolinite) clay. It has a fine texture like kaolin, and is suitable for all skin types but especially dry and sensitive skin. Rose Clay tones and tightens the skin, giving it a firmer, more supple appearance. This natural deep cleanser helps prevent blemishes while moisturizing the skin. The clay is a light to medium pink shade, which comes from a naturally occurring iron oxide. Rose Clay makes a fantastic soap additive for both color and gentle oil absorbing properties.

Sage - This natural astringent is great for toning skin, as well as a natural deodorant. Sage can improve the overall health of your skin as well as reduce inflammation. The presence of antioxidants in sage makes it a natural reliever of depression and anxiety.

Sea Clay - This clay has a dark green, grayish color, and originates from mud laid under the sea millions of years ago. It is commonly used in facial masks to cleanse the skin. It is suitable for normal to oily skin types.

Shea Butter - Extracted from the kernels of a wild African tree, shea butter is an excellent emollient with great healing properties. High in triglycerides and fatty acids, its soft buttery texture melts easily into the skin. Traditionally used by indigenous people for burns, wounds, muscle aches and as a moisturizing beauty aid for hair and skin. Shea reduces inflammation, stretch marks and scars, treats acne and blemishes, and helps restore elasticity in the skin. Shea is ideal for all skin types but is most helpful to those with dry and sensitive skin.

Spirulina - This natural algae is loaded with protein and nutrients, making it a common supplement that is consumed orally, but there are so many benefits when used topically as well. Spirulina has a high content of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and B-12; these are all vital for healthy skin. This algae also contains tyrosine, which slows the aging of skin cells and detoxifies the skin, helping fight off breakouts. When used in hair care, Spirulina helps promote hair growth, rids of dandruff (after 4 weeks+), combats thinning hair, baldness and even Alopecia.  

Sweet Tangerine - This EO helps control oil, hyper-pigmentation and decreases the appearance of wrinkles. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make it helpful in fighting acne and blemishes. The scent of Sweet Tangerine helps improve sleep, calms anxiety, and lessens feelings of depression, anger and stress. When using on the skin, please remember to use on days or times you will not be in the sun.

Tea Tree - This EO adds a refreshing scent while also adding antimicrobial properties, making it ideal in fighting off acne.

Turmeric - This herb is anti-inflammatory, and has antioxidant properties, making it great for oily skin, dry skin and acne-prone skin. Turmeric also helps calm skin affected by eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and any other wounds or skin damage. This natural cleanser and exfoliant will leave you with skin that is glowing, brighter, moisturized and free of dark spots.

Vitamin E - This oil is a natural antioxidant that helps to slow the aging process by scavenging free radicals. Vitamin E heals, moisturizes, and protects the skin, preventing scarring, and reducing UV exposure.

Ylang Ylang - This EO provides a soothing and calming aroma that promotes feelings of playfulness and joy. It is said that Ylang Ylang helps relieve symptoms of depression and stress, awakens feelings of sensuality and uplifts the mood. Ylang Ylang is also an antiseptic, making it effective in fighting off bacteria and preventing infections.