The Beauty Glossary: N is for Neem

Our Beauty Glossary is your definitive guide to every important beauty term ever. From A – Z, we’ll regularly fill you in on beauty ingredients, personalities, products and treatments, so you know exactly who or what to look out for in the beauty space.

Neem

All hail the neem leaf. Dubbed ‘the wonder leaf’, the power of neem is extraordinary. It is derived from the neem tree, which is regarded as a one tree pharmacy and originates from the Indian subcontinent. In India it has become a staple part of rural life.

Neem has long since been a part of Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old holistic healing system that originates from the Vedic culture of India (ie. when the oldest scriptures of Hinduism were composed). Ayurveda is viewed as ‘a science of life’, in which we live long and healthy. For generations, women have encouraged its topical use as a herbal beauty tradition and its consumption for skin problems.

A neem leaf bath for example, will keep the skin supple and healthy; face packs loaded with neem leaf powder offer emollient and anti-ageing action and the antiseptic properties of neem leaf extract help control acne.

In Ayurveda’s prime text, the Charaka Samhita, the neem tree is described as ‘sarva roga nivarini’: that which keeps all diseases at bay. Not only does it soothe and heal irritation, skin disorders, wounds, scalp dryness and dandruff, but it conditions the hair and detoxifies the skin.

Neem leaf extract may also be known by its scientific name, maelia azadirachta.

SUNDÃRI has been pioneering the use of neem in the Western world, with  the neem healing collection:

1. 

   Sundari Neem and Coconut Hair Treatment Oil

   Nourish your scalp and hair with SUNDÃRI’s easily absorbed Neem and Coconut Hair Treatment Oil.

   Coconut oil is a highly respected beauty ingredient in exotic countries from Brazil to India. The divinely scented oil encourages hair growth and has been scientifically proven to be the only oil, when compared with sunflower and mineral, to maintain protein levels in all hair types. Meanwhile neem soothes dry, rough, or sensitive scalps by reducing inflammation and performing a constricting action on skin capillaries.

   If you are seeking a product that will soothe the mind but stimulate the scalp, turn to SUNDÃRI’s Neem and Eucalyptus Cooling Scalp Oil instead.

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2. 

   Sundari Neem and Tamanu Corrective Moisturizer

   SUNDÃRI’s Neem and Tamanu Corrective Moisturizer is a sophisticated, lightweight formula infused with a blend of powerful, natural botanicals. Discover advanced moisture-retaining technology i.e intense, 24 hour hydration

   Neem extract prevents wrinkles and loss of skin tone, while tamanu seed oil to help restore skin smoothness and elasticity. Tamanu oil’s healing powers are remarkable and what they call ‘a forgotten secret’.

   With this moisturizer, the end result is beautifully smooth skin that remains protected from free-radical damage. For dry, combination or oily skin, choose the Neem and Avocado Balancing Moisturizer instead.

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3. 

   Sundari Neem and Dateseed Body Exfoliator

   SUNDÃRI’s Neem and Dateseed Body Exfoliator serves as a creamy, clean-rinse formula blending rich oils, fine almond meal and date seed powder. Delicately scented with nature’s best essential oils, this grainy scrub is suitable for all skin types and will effectively relieve skin of dry patches while maintain a pH balance.

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4. 

   Sundari Neem Night Cream

   SUNDÃRI’s Neem Night Cream marries superior ingredients sourced from the Himalayas to help guide skin to a state of radiance. Together with jojoba oil, geranium oil and shea butter, neem extract heals, hydrates and overhauls your complexion.

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5. 

   Sundari Neem and Burdock Balancing Cream-Gel Cleanser

   SUNDÃRI’s Neem and Burdock Balancing Cream-gel cleanser is a dual-action formula that unites a deep cleansing gel to control excess sebum, and an emollient cream to alleviate dry areas. The formula contains burdock extract, used by herbalists, gypsies and the Chinese, but it is because of the neem extract that wrinkles and dullness don’t stand a chance.

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