Natural Skin Care Products You Can Use
Behind the glitz and glamor of popular mainstream skin care products lies a truth that few talk about. The chemicals that are synthesized in labs and marketed as silver bullets to dealing with all your skin care needs usually have a downside. Sometimes the downsides may be rather horrifying, but we will talk more about that later.
If you happen to need to get rid of acne overnight, you can check out some great tips that I have compiled by experts. But most of the time, it’s always better to have a good skin care regime to prevent acne from occurring.
Have you ever heard of comments such as: “you need to switch your skin care products every few months so your skin doesn’t get used to it and render your product less effective” ?
Frankly, when you think about comments like that, you can’t help but wonder why that happens and are the chemical constituents within these products making your skin react unnaturally and its simply trying to reach its own natural balance point?
Is it really organic?
Is it just fear-mongering to talk about toxicity of within the skincare product you use? Or do we really have to worry about what manufacturers mix into your favorite moisturizer?
As consumers of natural skin care products or non-natural skin care products, we want to know what is in those little bottles that we open up each day. And with product marketing departments getting better, or more deceptive, labelling a bottle with “organic” and “all-natural” makes the marketplace even harder for a normal person to comprehend.
Sure, we read about the toxicity of chemicals and we have the false sense of security that as long as the label reads “organic” it means we are safe.
Well, truth be told, manufacturers are not bound by any regulation to validate claims of “naturalness” or “organic-ness” because they get away with the fact even if only 1% of their ingredients are organic, they simply put the text “organic”. And it gets even trickier to navigate the world of organic certification when everyone is using attractive looking graphics to distract customers from the truth of what a bottle contains.
Some of these products you find on the supermarket and drugstore shelves actually contain allergens that trigger an eczema response in individuals. If you are currently showing symptoms of eczema, I would recommend you reading my article on Foods that Help Eczema Go Away.
What’s even more confusing is that there are multiple organizations all setting their versions of standards and albeit with differing criteria. Here are some of the badges and stamps you can look out for:
- Soil Association COSMOS organic-certified products
- ECOCERT certification (France)
- Biogro (New Zealand)
- Natrue Organic Cosmetic category
Organic vs Natural
Most people that are unaccustomed to certification of organic products may use the terms “organic” and “natural” interchangeably. This results in confusion when it comes to product selection.
When you compare the definitions more specifically, the difference becomes clearer.
Organic products refer to items that are produced, manufactured and handled using organic processes outlined by the USDA (organic food products act) or other organic certification standards organization. This means that there is accountability at several checkpoints along the way to ensure adherence to these standards.
Natural products on the other hand is generally classified as items that have not be chemically altered or synthesized unnaturally but are completely derived from plant and wildlife sources. The difference is night and day.
There is a notion that with any chemical synthesis that takes place with any product, the end product loses its efficacy as compared to the “pure” organic or natural forms. Which leads to the consumer perception that organic and natural is best.
To put it simply, natural skin care products differ from organic skin care products in the sense that, within the production process, natural skin care products have some level of synthesized chemicals within the mix while organic skin care products have stringent standards for production which minimizes any synthesized ingredients.
Due to the multiple standards that are applied to organic certification, it would be a very futile exercise to insist on using skin care products that are purely organic.
My take on it is just go for natural skin care products where possible instead of being caught up with the “organic” labelling because you will just end up paying more for the sticker on the bottle.
During the processing of the organic raw materials, some level of chemical reactions take place that still end up being part of a “chemical reaction”. To say that you can completely use all organic components and every process and all reagents used are completely organic and absolutely zero chemical synthesis is taking place requires a lot of naiveté.
By slapping on an organic label, manufacturers know that it would command a higher perceived value and thus, demand for a larger price tag. But would they play by the rules at every step? Anyone savvy enought will probably approach their claims at this point with a healthy dose of skepticism.
My take on it is just go for natural skin care products where possible instead of being caught up with the “organic” labelling because you will just end up paying more for the sticker on the bottle.
The Toxic List
Here are just some of the chemicals that have been found in skincare products that you will need to take note of and their known side-effects. Although the primary purpose of any skin care product is to help you, some toxic substances actually do more harm than good.
What is more concerning is the fact that they these substances and chemicals can enter your body through the skin, so you want to be sure to avoid them.
- Parabens: They mimic estrogen and are known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Artificial Coloring: Look at the label and note if there are FD&C or D&C IF you see a desrcription such as “D&C Red 24” or anything resembling it, it means the color comes from tar or petroleum. These a carcinogenic in nature and have been banned in Europe.
- Fragrance: This is a blackbox term which means that it could contain any chemical deemed necessary to remain hidden as part of a company’s proprietary signature smell. However, these have been known to be the cause of allergies, eczema and other respiratory illnesses.
- Phthalates: Use as an additive to plastics for the purpose of making it pliable and flexible, these group of chemicals increase the risk of cancers.
- Triclosan: Commonly used as an disinfectant but also is an endocrine disruptor, which may cause issues with thyroid and reproductive function.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Almost 90 percent of the personal hygiene produces contain this chemical tat irritates the lungs, eyes and skin. They readily combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, another carcinogen.
- Toulene: A petroleum-based derivate used to dissolve paint which is known to affect the respiratory system and affect fetal development.
- Propylene glycol: Less toxic of the list, but is not to be a skin irritant and penetrator.
For more information on chemical toxicity, you can check out EWG’s Database.
What natural ingredients you should look out for
- Coconut Oil: Famed for its natural healing properties, coconut oil is known to strengthen underlying epidermal tissue, removal of dead skin cells, sun protection as well as antiseptic properties. It is a also now to deal with chronic skin conditions effectively such as atopic dermatitis.
- Tea Tree Oil: Melaleuca alternifolia made popular in Australia is used to arrest acne and pimple breakouts when applied to affected skin. It works excellently as an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal oil. Additionally, Tea Tree Oil contains powerful phytochemicals that diffuse in the air and skin pores that increase healing benefits.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A pathogen killer that is well-known and proven to clear skin issues as well as digestive problems. It works well against acne and treatment of skin sores. It also is ingested as a prebiotic which detoxifies the body and boosts liver function through the mechanism of enriching beneficial intestinal bacteria.
- Raw Honey: Used since the time of Cleopatra, raw honey is famed since the ancient world for its skincare and healing properties. Raw honey is unprocessed, unheated unlike those found in supermarkets. It has powerful antiseptic action, boosts skin tone, reduces scarring and encourages skin regeneration.
- Avocado: This fruit is full of skin-boosting vitamins A, D and E. It encourages collagen production and reduces skin inflammation when ingested or applied directly on skin.
- Sea Salt: Containing magnesium, sodium, potassium and other trace elemenents. Sea salt works remarkably well in scrubs or facial masks. In Himalayan sea salt, it works to prevent inflammation and to stop acne breakouts as well as assist skin in retaining moisure.
- Lemon Essential Oils: Often overlooked is lemon. But its essential oils are highly chemically reductive in nature and is capable of killing very resistant bacteria types. It is a natural bleach that reduces darkened scarred tissue and boosts rejuvenation of skin tone.
- Argan Oil: Used for skin healing because of its Vitamin A and E and works well as a skin moisturizer.
- Aloe Vera: Renown for its ability to deal with skin conditions such as psoriasis and cold sores, it contains more than 75 active ingredients that are anti-inflmmatory, anti-microbial and great for healing sun-damaged skin
- Shea Butter: Originating from Africa, shea butter is a remarkable choice for moisturizing dry skin and reduces skin irritation though the action of skin barrier creation. It is usually mixed with other essential oils and natural fragrances for a complete skin care product.
Beauty starts from the inside
There are numerous approaches to giving your skin the best pampering it deserves. Check out my other article “on dealing with acne and pimples” from a overall approach and not just a topical application.
Probiotics as one of the most powerful elements in skin-health. If you haven’t already added that to your healthcare routine, be sure to start using them!
Probiotics, despite all its proven health benefits, still remains a little mystery for researchers. To oversimplify it, is to say that probiotics is good bacteria and helps your gut.
As western medicine progresses at an exponential rate, it has begun to shift from its symptomatic siloed view of the human body. Healthcare professional are beginning to understand the need to treat the human body as a whole system with inter-related components. Thus the recent shift towards wholistic approach to healthcare and how probiotics are critical to a person’s well-being.
Despite the lack of understanding of probiotics, what is known so far is that probiotics can be part of natural skin care products you can use… from the inside of your body.
It regulates digestive function and controls hormone regulation as well as energy levels. This in turn puts less stress on your immune system to fight infection and to reduce inflammation responses that could lead to other chronic conditions such as asthma or eczema.
I personally take my probiotics (capsules) together with apple cider vinegar about 3 years ago and I now have less sick days and almost no relapse of my asthma. How it works, is still a mystery to me, but that doesn’t stop me from continuing the healthy practice!
What are the signs of healthy skin?
I’m sure by now you would be able to tell when you skin is not healthy, but what’s more important is to know when it is actually healthy. This means that you’re not on the defense trying to fix problems with your skin, but you are actually nurturing it to be the best it can be!
Here are some things to look out for that indicate you have healthy skin:
Color Consistency
The more consistent the color of your skin is, the more you know that your skin is doing well. Blotchiness, light-colored or contrasting spots indicated that your skin may be damaged.
Typical things to look out for are reddish blotches that could indicate that your skin is irritated by an allergen. This may be present in your cosmetics or even hormone fluctuations. Skin repairs itself quicker when your body receives sufficient rest.
Which means, in essence, you do need your 8-hour beauty sleep for best results.
Smoothness
Healthy skin is smooth to the touch and supple in nature. Acne, pimples and blackheads create bumps that indicated that your skin is clogged. Use a gentle exfoliating wash to remove clogged dirt and oils twice a week so that your skin remains fresh and unhindered.
Moisture
Dry skin typically shows symptoms of flaking and tightness, and this can be a result of a very dry environment or simply not being hydrated sufficiently. Healthy skin has a natural glow and remains elastic with a healthy amount of moisture locked in.
Natural Facial Cleansers
Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash $4.49
RECOMMENDED FOR: Those with sensitive skin
QUOTE: “I have tried many different facial cleansers. For me, this one is the holy grail. It smells like coconut cream pie on your face. Just too dreamy and lovely for words. Leaves my skin soft and clean.”
100% vegan and cruelty-free
Formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash $28
RECOMMENDED FOR FOR: Normal, combination, and oily skin
INGREDIENTS: This face wash is formulated with 36 naturally-derived ingredients including soothing aloe, moisturizing rice seed, cleansing coconut-derived surfactants, and brightening sugarcane.
Available in travel size
Not tested on animals
Made in the U.S.A.
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular 2-in-1 Cleanser
RECOMMNENED FOR: Cleansing, removing makeup, and toning skin
QUOTE: “I have very sensitive, over 50 skin and this product has never given me an issue. It truly is a 2-in-1 cleanser, it removes my makeup without much effort, and rinses clean without stripping my skin. I enjoy the lemony fresh scent. My new favorite!”
This is a premium quality face wash that delivers!
Ideal for all skin types
Specially formulated for those concerned with fine lines and wrinkles
Helps tones, cleanse, and remove makeup
Keep Acne Away For Good
I have recently tried a step-by-step plan that changed the game for me. My teen-to-adult acne is no longer an issue because of it.
If you would like to find out more, please read my personal review on Acne No More before you head off to Facebook 🙂 I actually didn’t realize that I could totally eliminate acne from my entire body without the use of medication and I think that more people should know about this program that your skin doctor wouldn’t want you to know about.
