With increased interest in “going green”, the skin care industry is joining the trend by providing more organic skin care products. As consumers become more aware of the potentially toxic chemicals in the environment, they certainly do not want those chemicals applied directly to their skin. Cosmetics and skin care have a traditionally been heavy with chemicals including laboratory made variations. The move for more natural substances means that many consumers are more discriminating about skin care products.
The word “organic” is tossed around, often improperly. Some cheap brands say “organic” even if a drop of a natural element such as aloe is included. That is not honest and those products are often not effective. Organic skin care is made from all natural products. The elements used must be grown without chemical or petroleum based fertilizers. Plants can retain some of those harmful chemicals then transfer them to your skin. Even a small amount per cream jar becomes significant if used daily year after year. Why take the chance with your skin?
Organic skin care is nothing new. Did you know that the mysteriously beautiful Cleopatra, queen of ancient Egypt, used organic honey on her skin? You won’t have to sail up the Nile to find organic skin care products in the health food store or some boutiques that contain honey.
Another old stand by for organic skin care is shea butter which comes from the shea tree. Shea is a natural substance that acts as an anti-inflammatory as well as a moisturizer. Shea butter based organic skin care works well for people with dry skin, psoriasis, wrinkles and scars. Because pure shea butter is expensive, poor quality organic pretenders claim this substance when very little of the element is in the product. For our recommended Shea Butter pick click here
Oatmeal is not just for breakfast anymore. Oats have cosmetic value as a mild abrasive. Organic skin care books have recipes for using oats as facial scrub or cleansing face mask. If you prefer to buy your facial oats, choose an organic skin care product that uses oats for the soluble exfoliating qualities. And while you are waiting to remove the oat face mask, make a bowl of oatmeal to eat. That way oats work to improve your skin both inside and outside.
Mineral makeup is popular in stores since the demand for this product was generated by infomercials. These products are nothing new. Aestheticians have used mineral make for years. The mineral cosmetics derived from natural elements with little refining or additives are safe and easy to use. Unless you have an allergic reaction to some particular mineral, these products work well for coverage and to hide scars or acne.
Look for the words “Certified Organic” on the label of any product that advertises as organic skin care. A certified organic product is 100% natural based on tests for purity by an independent certification group. To learn which products are genuine and which are hype, ask at a health food store that has a separate cosmetics and skin care department.
