Coconut milk powder is rich in medium-chain fats, especially lauric acid, which soften and replenish dry skin. Lauric acid also has natural antibacterial activity against the bacteria behind breakouts. Her proteins, natural sugars and minerals nourish the skin, leaving it soft and glowing.
Colloidal oats are one of the gentlest, best-studied skin soothers we have. Their avenanthramides calm itch and redness. Their beta-glucan forms a light, moisture-holding film over the skin. Their natural saponins cleanse without stripping. Rich in proteins, lipids and vitamin E, oats help hold water against the skin, so the rest of Anunda can do her work.
Slippery elm is a wondrous ingredient. The mucilage in her inner bark is pure magic: a silky gel of polysaccharides that coats, soothes and hydrates the skin while holding antioxidants on its surface. Lalitha Thomas writes in her book “10 Essential Herbs” (which I highly recommend to anyone for acute herbal preparations), “Slippery Elm pulls torn tissues together, soothes raw nerves in wounds, offers protection against infection, and feeds new tissue growth…”
Comfrey — “Clear out the old and build up the new,” comfrey’s motto, says Lalitha Thomas. Comfrey leaf is rich in allantoin, which promotes the growth of connective tissue and is easily absorbed through the skin. She is one of the skin’s best friends, helping weave it anew.
Papaya carries papain, a natural fruit enzyme that gently dissolves the proteins binding dead skin cells. It's a soft exfoliation, kind enough for sensitive skin.
Kaolin and rose clays are the gentlest of clays. They lift away impurities without drawing out the skin's needed oils. Rose clay's soft pink comes from her natural iron oxides.
Sandalwood is a beautifully scented wonder, rich in alpha- and beta-santalol. She's soothing to sensitive and dry skin, and cooling to skin with too much heat. In Ayurveda she has long been used to cool Pitta and bring an even, calm complexion. Her scent quiets the mind.
Roman chamomile is a tension melter when inhaled. Her gentle esters calm the nervous system, and her soothing compounds help diminish redness and irritation, a comfort for sun- or wind-chapped skin.
Geranium helps balance oil production and tone the skin, and her scent steadies the emotions.
