Plant Oils and Animal Fats
Before commercial oils existed, skin protection often came from rendered animal fats or plant oils when available.
Commonly used bases included:
buffalo tallow (very common among Plains tribes)
bear fat
deer tallow
These fats were used to:
protect skin from wind and sun
prevent cracking in dry climates
treat chapped hands and feet
& protect skin during winter
Many of these fats were sometimes infused with plants.
Sun and Wind Protection
For tribes living on the Great Plains and in the Southwest, skin protection was essential because of strong sun, dry air & wind exposure.
People sometimes used animal fat mixed with plant powders
red ochre or clay.
These mixtures could provide a physical barrier against sun & wind.
Interestingly, ochre also appears in many cultures worldwide as a form of natural sun protection.
Cleansing With Plants
Soap as we know it did not exist, but many plants naturally contain saponins, which create mild cleansing foam.
Some tribes used plants such as
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis): Also known as "Wild Sweet William," it is historically recognized for producing a gentle soap for cleaning delicate fabrics, such as silk, as well as for personal hygiene.
Soaproot (Chlorogalum pomeridianum): Native Americans, particularly in California, utilized the bulbs of this plant. When crushed, the bulbs create a robust, foamy lather for washing hair and cleaning clothes.
Yucca (Yucca glauca/filamentosa): The roots are rich in saponins, offering a soapy, cleansing lather often used for shampoo.
Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus spp.): Often referred to as "soap bush," the berries and flowers can be rubbed together with water to create a fragrant, effective lather.
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): The nuts (conkers) are crushed and boiled to create a soap substitute suitable for laundry.
Other Plants: Additional plants often used include English Ivy, Clematis, Baby’s Breath, and Bracken Fern
Skin Healing Plants
Many tribes had extensive knowledge of plants used for skin injuries and irritation.
Common examples documented in ethnobotanical records include:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Used for cuts, scrapes, and wound care.
Plantain (Plantago species)
Applied as poultices for bites, stings, and skin irritation.
Cottonwood buds
Used to make salves for cracked or damaged skin.
Juniper ash or berries
Sometimes used in washes.
Herbal Bathing
Sweat lodges and herbal steam practices were common among many tribes.
These rituals were spiritual and physical, but they also had practical skin benefits.
Steam and herbal washes helped clean & soften skin, while promoting good circulation.
Plants used in steam or bathing practices varied by tribe but often included sage, cedar, sweetgrass & juniper.
Clay and Earth
Different clays were used for cleansing skin, soothing irritation & for ceremonial body paint.
Some clays contain minerals that can help absorb oil and impurities from the skin.
Red ochre, yellow clay, and white clay were used in different regions.
The Most Important Thing About Native Skin Care
It wasn’t cosmetic.
It was environmental survival and health.
Native peoples lived more fully outdoors than we do today and thrived in climates that were hot, cold, dry & windy.
Their skincare practices were designed to protect the body from the environment while embracing good health, using the plants and oils available.
