We live in an organic world and we are organic beings. As for skin care, there is not much to say. Living in harmony with nature is perhaps the best skin care advice.
There are perhaps hundreds of skin care products on the market today that seem to tempt you into buying them by claiming they are natural. A greater curiosity would show that they are not what they show when reading the rear labels. Always remember that whatever substance we put on the skin of our body, eventually ends up inside our body. Scary isn’t it? Most of the man-made substances used in skin care products are actually carcinogens that gradually build up in your system and become bigger problems for years to come.
Unfortunately, “natural” or organic skin care is not regulated by the FDA, so products with even one percent organic ingredients can be called organic or natural. The following are chemical offenders to be aware of.
Formaldehyde and imidazolidinyl urea are preservatives. The former is mainly found in nail polishes, nail hardeners, and cosmetics. Both have been associated with causing unfavorable skin reactions. Synthetic fragrances should be avoided, as they are artificial. Opt for perfumes that contain natural fragrances or that come from essential oils for the care of your organic skin.
Additionally, methylparaben is another widely used preservative that is suspected of causing skin irritations. It is also possible that it is a xenoestrogen (a carcinogen that complicates human reproductive processes and is linked to breast cysts). Also look for butyl, ethyl, and propyl baraben. Isopropyl alcohol may be antibacterial, but the fact that it’s made from petroleum should make you think twice before going for it. It should definitely not be used in your organic skincare regiment.
Methylisothiazolinone is another known preservative. Its effects are not given expressly, but the fact that it is artificial should be a turn off. Paraffin (have you ever heard of paraffin tests?) is extracted from petroleum or coal and is a substance found in cold creams, waxers, eyebrow pencils, etc. It is similar to putting the oil ore on yourself. Propylene glycol is also derived from petroleum and sometimes vegetable glycerin and is a wetting agent. Lastly, sodium lauryl sulfate (another member of the sulfate family) is a cleansing detergent that leaves a drying effect that causes irritation.
The best way to go organic in skincare is to make your own! Mother nature provides gentler organic skin care substances that are great for your skin. For your moisturizer, honey is a very good alternative for organic skin care. Use honey with oatmeal and some yogurt and you have a facial scrub. Tea tree oil is a known organic antiseptic that can be used in the treatment of minor blemishes.
On the plus side, organic skin care is much simpler and available even in the kitchen. It saves you precious time and is also much more beneficial for your body.