Are You Really Using
Natural Skin Care?

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When you choose natural skin care do you look for the word natural on the label? Seems like a good thing to see if we are trying to buy something with pure, natural ingredients, ingredients that come from nature.

Natural is a word we like to see on our skin care products. It should be a good thing but frequently that word on a product can be misleading. No wonder we have such a hard time shopping.

We need to read the labels for truly natural skin care. At present a company might put natural on their label even if only one ingredient is natural while many of the other ingredients are synthetic and even toxic chemicals.

Perhaps you've seen a product claim "Now with natural aloe vera" or some other natural ingredient printed boldly on the front of the container. It gives the impression that this is a natural product which it could be but you won't know for sure unless you learn to read the labels and know the ingredients.

At this time there are no regulations guiding the use of chemicals in skin care products. And since our skin is capable of absorbing 60% or more of whatever we put on it, we need to know that what we are using is safe, natural skin care.

From an issue of Alternative Medicine Magazine:

• 100,000 synthetic chemicals are currently registered for use.
• Fewer than 10% have been tested for their effects on humans.
• Increasingly these toxic chemicals are found in our cosmetics.
• Companies are not required to disclose them as ingredients. The "trade secret loophole" allows companies to put these ingredients under a generic term such as "fragrance".

What To Look For

Synthetic chemicals are found in so many products from mascara and eye shadow to moisturizers and nail polish. Some research has shown that the small amounts typically found in a product such as face cream or makeup are not harmful.

What is of concern is the cumulative effect of face creams being used over many years, then add the toners, eye shadow, makeup base and on and on. All these different products each with their own synthetic ingredients. No one knows how they will react in our bodies alone, let alone all together.

Sounds grim. But it doesn't have to be. There are solutions.

Natural skin care means more than natural ingredients. While natural ingredients should make up the bulk of the list there are other things to look for:

• Learn what ingredients can be harmful. Check out nontoxic skin care.
• If possible choose organic but make sure it is "certified" organic.
• Great skin care does not need animal ingredients.
• Please make sure the company you buy from does not do animal testing.

Far too many companies still use this type of testing for their products.

Choosing Natural Skin Care Products

All of our skin care products from our cleansers, moisturizers, toners, serums, you name it, can be made with natural and organic ingredients and it's getting easier to have truly natural skin care thanks to companies who believe skin care products can be made without synthetic chemicals and are making a commitment to provide natural or organic skin care without animal testing or animal ingredients.

A few to consider:

• Aubrey Organics
• Terressentials
• von Natur

Other Natural Skin Care Products

Your skin may have special needs when you are pregnant that may bring new challenges for healthy skin. This is a particularly important time to be paying attention to the products you use. Natural or organic products or skin care recipes you make on your own make pregnancy skin care safe and effective for a mom-to-be while protecting your growing baby.

Even some products like sunscreen which typically use chemical ingredients to protect us from UV rays can be made more naturally. Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, are two natural ingredients being used successfully in natural sunscreen.

Many different kinds of natural ingredients are being found to be good for our skin and are being used skin care. Some of these are based on ingredients that have been used successfully for hundreds years like Dead Sea products made with Dead Sea minerals. They have been found to provide many benefits for healthy skin care.

African shea butter products have become very popular for skin care lately but they have been used for many years by women needing to protect their skin from the harsh elements. This wonderfully moisturizing and healing butter is found in many products.

Not all shea butter is equal. It helps if you know what to look for when buying shea products. That way you will see the greatest benefits from using this butter but you will also know the benefits to women in Africa when you purchase fair trade shea butter. Check out African shea butter for more information and where to shop.

Green tea, chocolate, coffee, aloe and herbs are just a few other ingredients being used. While these natural ingredients are a much better choice than the chemically laden products we are presently using unless a product has a history of effectiveness it is hard to tell just how good some of these new products are.

Make Your Own

Perhaps the best way to have pure and natural skin care is to make your own. It can be as simple as a few ingredients found in your kitchen and with minimal effort we can make some of our own products. It's fun and easy.

There are many fine books with recipes for simple inexpensive creams, masks and more. Many of these can be made using everyday ingredients or if your up for more of a challenge, you can try using the very same ingredients used in commercial products like almond oil, jojoba oil, essential oils or shea butter.

If you want to make up larger quantities, you can even purchase jars, bottles and utensils for preparation. A great resource for someone looking to make their own skin care products is Mountain Rose Herbs.

You will find everything you need here from the containers to the pure essential oils, fresh organic herbs, naturally sourced butters, oils and teas that will help you make skin care products that rival some of the finest you can buy along with plenty of information to get you going. They also carry some very nice natural skin care products that are worth considering.

Care to try your hand at making natural handmade soaps? Clearly written and easy to follow step-by-step instructions and recipes can be found at Soap Making Essentials. Using your own natural ingredients along with soap making ingredients and without expensive equipment you can enjoy creating safe, natural, beautiful soaps for your whole family.

Our choice to use natural skin care products not only benefits us but it is also healthier for the environment. For example, less synthetic chemicals means less petroleum, a common source of many skin care ingredients, is needed and choosing organic products supports organic farming an earth friendly choice.

It may not be possible to eliminate chemicals completely but it is possible to minimize exposure. Your health is worth becoming informed about truly natural skin care.

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I have compiled a list of companies who have pledged to be cruelty free and have signed the Compact For Safe Cosmetics. Get your list for free when you sign up to receive my newsletter Better Choices.