Beauty Boosters from the Motherland
You've probably got favorite products containing cocoa butter, shea butter or argan oil on your vanity right now—especially if you’ve collected the beauty treats in previous Luxe & Luminous boxes! “Africa is the source for so many rich nutrients that are beneficial to Black skin,” New York City aesthetician Alita Terry told Sisters From AARP. She counts baobab oil and moringa among her favorite ingredients. Shopping for what’s new and next? Check hair- and skin-care- product labels for these special ingredients.
MORINGA (Ghana, Niger)
Ancient Egyptians used oil from its seeds as a skin protectant. Antioxidant, antibacterial and nutrient-dense, it is a beauty workhorse. Check the label, and look for moringa oil in skin creams, hand creams and makeup-removing cleansers.
BAOBAB OIL (Throughout mainland Africa and Madagascar)
Oil from Africa’s iconic “Tree of Life” may help protect skin and stave off signs of aging. It absorbs quickly, leaving no oily residue. Check the label Look for baobab oil in face oil serums and detangling conditioners.
KALAHARI OIL (South Africa)
Sourced from melons, it protects skin from the sun. Its omega fatty acids help repair scars and condition the hair. Kalahari oil also contains linolenic acid, which gently helps to clean pores. Check the label Look for Kalahari oil in pure essential oils; some deep conditioners are infused with it.
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Photo Credits: Getty Images (2), Shutterstock