What is Natural?

If you desire truly natural products, you will need to seek them out. It begins with learning to read and understand labels. Manufacturers and sellers of cosmetics are required to list ingredients on the label of their products in the order of their concentration, commonly referred to as the FD&C Act. (This act does not apply to soaps, candles, air fresheners, or cleaning products, which do not have to list any ingredients!)

These labels will tell you what is in the products. It will not tell you which ingredients are truly natural. There is currently no law that requires any part of a product to actually be truly natural in order to be labeled as such. Do not feel duped. Millions of American consumers fall victim to this practice daily.

You want the healthiest and highest quality products you can find for both you and your family. So, what is it you should look for specifically? First, avoid, AT ALL COSTS, products containing anything related to petroleum (petrochemicals). Petroleum distillates are common in the skin care industry and go by the names of propylene glycol, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, and mineral oil.

Ironically, petroleum by-products do the very thing they claim to combat. Over time, they actually dry out the skin by stripping away moisture. Petroleum products immediately clog our skin pores. Think of it as wrapping your body in a layer of plastic wrap! Many companies will use petroleum based products as ingredients because the cost is unbelievably cheap. Still worse, most of these products are marketed to mothers with infants.

Another ingredient to avoid is “Sulfates”. These can be in the form of sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. They are used in care products primarily for their lather and bubble producing properties. They have absolutely no benefit as an ingredient for your skin. Virtually all shampoos, liquid soaps, and body washes on the market today contain this ingredient in one form or another. When this ingredient is used for bubble baths, the FDA requires warning labels on the product. Don’t be fooled. There is no natural or naturally derived sulfate.

Artificial preservatives, which include Imidazolidinyl and Diazolidinyl Urea, Parabens, Formaldehyde, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydratoin, and Quaternium-15 show up on ingredient labels and are used primarily as chemical preservatives. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these ingredients have been shown to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis and allergic reactions.
Not only does using natural products benefit your skin, they benefit the environment as well. Look for products labeled: cruelty free, no animal testing, vegan friendly, and recyclable.
You do not have to be a chemist to know how to spot suspect ingredients. By reading labels carefully, you can become an educated consumer.Why is it important to use skin care that is good for you?
Skin is body’s largest organ and we are only given this protective layer once. It is up to us to keep it healthy and glowing. Beautiful skin is a reflection of following a natural approach to better health. Keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized not only keeps it looking and feeling younger, it is healthier for your mind and spirit, as well as your body.
A healthy body begins with a healthy mind. Educate yourself about the benefits of truly natural care products for you and your family. The skin you save may just be your own!