Organic and natural products are coming out of the shadow of mainstream beauty preparations, demonstrating likely and proven restorative results. Both women and men are more frequently choosing not to apply products with chemicals and possible noxious toxins that may irritate or damage delicate skin. Instead, they are opting to only use pure organic/natural preparations.
Artificial scents added to mask the smell of the chemicals used in traditional products can create headaches, congestion, and nasal and skin irritation for many people who use them. Natural skincare products only smell like their natural ingredients or natural essential oils that provide the additional benefit of aromatherapy.
Skin, the bodyโs largest organ, is capable of absorbing up to 60 percent of the ingredients found in skincare products. It only makes good sense to avoid commonly used synthetic ingredients that medical research indicate may trigger irritation and skin rashes in some people and may have life lasting skin-damaging effects, cause cancer, or even death.
Beauty Is A Lot More Than Skin Deep
Itโs a fact: The average person rubs, sprays, or lathers on more than a dozen different skin care products daily. Skin functions like a sponge rather than a barrier. We end up absorbing hundreds of chemicals into our bodies every day. While scientists tell us these substances are safe, at least in small doses, do you want to apply them to your skin?
In all fairness, cosmetic manufacturers have a vested interest in crafting products that do not harm their customers. However, potent chemicals, with known harmful side effects suggest we exercise caution when choosing the products we apply to our skin. The European Union has banned more than a thousand personal product ingredients due to concerns that they may cause birth defects if used by pregnant women or that they may cause cancer. The United States has banned less than a dozen.
Choose Organic Cosmetics To Avoid Toxic Chemicals
No one knows how chemicals affect us over time, or how they react in our bodies in combination. As an example, phthalates, found in artificial fragrances, are a class of hormone disruptor linked to birth defects, sperm damage, and infertility.
Itโs a sad fact, as much as 90 percent of the 10,500 cosmetics and skin care ingredients acknowledged to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution.
However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as the FDA regulates certification for agricultural ingredients deemed to be organic and offer guidelines for the number of organic ingredients in cosmetic products. Under these agencies’ rules and regulations, cosmetic products marketed as organic are required to be made of no less than 70 percent organic ingredients by weight. It pays to carefully read the label on products we purchase to make sure that the item is USDA certified organic.
Healing, Anti-Aging Benefits of Natural Skincare Products
Women are discovering the advantages of using natural/organic skincare products that enhance the skinโs natural condition and work in synergy with the skin by utilizing natural active ingredients that optimize skin regeneration. Market analysts predict the market for organic derma-cosmetics and natural/organic cosmetics will continue to grow, especially for products promising dermatological rewards.
Organic and natural skincare products can bring about dramatic improvement in persistent skin concerns such as psoriasis, edema, acne, premature aging, dryness, hyper-pigmentation, or sensitized skin. Organic skin care products are free of harmful skincare ingredients, artificial dyes, synthetic fillers, and harsh chemicals that cause wrinkling, irritation, dryness, redness, breakouts and scaring.
While the toxic chemicals and dangerous artificial ingredients in many skin care products strip skin of moisture and age skin prematurely, dermatologically active natural skincare ingredients nourish and maintain healthy looking, youthful, fresh, and radiant skin.
Today, there is a diverse array of natural ingredients with proven properties, recognized for their effectiveness in enhancing the health and vitality of hair and skin. Natural skincare products typically combine two or more botanical extracts, plant-based essential oils, vitamins, and natural materials that are not harmful to the skin. Natural skincare products do not rely on dangerous chemicals and additives.
Scientific studies have confirmed the effectiveness of botanicals and other natural ingredients in personal care products. These benefits have been utilized for thousands of years for their anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing properties. Neutralize free radical damage by selecting moisturizers and creams containing vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are potent antioxidants that help prevent oxidation and eliminate unsightly discolorations that occur as a result of sun damage or acne scars.
You will find vitamins A, C, and E listed in natural skincare formulations as ascorbyl palmitate, retinyl palmitate, vitamin C-ester, tocopherol palmitate, or tocopherol. These essential vitamins are found in abundance in natural skin care ingredients such as rice bran, walnuts, green tea extract, orange, pomegranate, lemon, grapefruit, flax, pumpkin, avocado, and sunflower seed oils. Vitamin C encourages collagen synthesis, essential for firm and supple skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
A few of the most effective and popular ingredients found in natural skin care products include alpha hydroxy acids. There are many different varieties of alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) found in plants, fruits, and vegetables. However, five have been medically proven to be the most beneficial: glycolic, lactic, citric, malic and tartaric acids. These are in order of which acids are said to be the most effective.
First, the most effective, glycolic acid, which is derived from sugar, allows for the most skin-deep penetration since it has the smallest molecular structure. The next most beneficial, lactic, comes from milk. Next, from citrus fruit, we are given citric acid, which is followed by malic acid, which is most commonly found in apples, and tartaric from fruit fermentation. Many natural skincare products combine these acids to enhance exfoliation, stimulate cellular renewal, improve tone and texture, and increase skin’s thickness while softening, hydrating and moisturizing.
Natural Skin Care Ingredients
Here are some more common ingredients youโll find in your natural skin care products:
Beta Carotene
Found in red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables like peppers, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, papaya and pumpkins, beta-carotene is an essential nutrient required for healing skin irritations, protecting against sun damage and to encourage skin cell rejuvenation.
“Topical beta-carotene has antioxidant benefits on the skin and research has reported that it improves discoloration due to melasma,” advises Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California.
Chamomile
Chamomile calms, comforts, and soothes and maintains healthy skin while it heals dry, irritated or sensitive skin.
Citric Acid
Derived from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes, and lemons, citric acid is a natural pH adjuster and acts as a natural preservative and antioxidant.
Eyebright
Traditionally employed for centuries in natural healing preparations, Eyebright reduces puffiness and redness to visually brighten the eyes. Its antiviral properties make it a useful addition to many skincare products.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
This healing oil is a natural emollient that soothes and softens the skin.
Frankincense
Prized and coveted by kings, frankincense contains powerful healing, soothing, and relaxing properties that promote facial skin cell rejuvenation by improving blood flow.
Green Tea
A primary ingredient in many natural skin products, green tea contains powerful natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and act as a natural skin healing agent. Green tea helps prevent and reverse UV damage to delicate skin. Vitamin E protects skin from free radicals that arise as a result of sunโs ultraviolet radiation.
Licorice
Licorice contains stellar anti-inflammatory properties that make licorice extract one of the most effective natural ingredients to treat rosacea and redness. Medical research studies validate that properties in the plant reduce uneven pigmentation by blocking the production of melanin. Licorice extract, along with Vitamin C, helps fade brown age spots.
Marshmallow
Used for centuries, the herb marshmallow works to relax, soften, heal, and recondition prematurely aging skin.
Menthol
With a wonderfully refreshing smell, menthol presents a cooling sensation when applied to the skin, absorbs quickly, and is highly effective in reducing skin puffiness.
Natural Glycerin
Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, allowing it to remain hydrated and soft. Glycerin is used as a base in many natural skin preparations.
Oats
Colloidal oatmeal, one of the natural ingredients approved by FDA to treat skin irritation such as dry, irritated skin, eczema, insect bites, and poison ivy. The lipids and proteins contained in oats enhance and strengthen the skin barrier.
Oats also exhibit diverse anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help heal skin irritations and reduce acne flare-ups.
Orange Oil
Orange oil works to reduce skin puffiness, moisturizes skin to discourage wrinkling, enhances blood circulation, minimizes blemishes, and exfoliates the skin for a healthy and glowing tone.
Resveratrol
A polyphenol, derived from grape skin and wine, acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps protect against harmful UV damage.
Shea Butter
Derived from the fruit of the karite tree, creamy shea butter helps to prevent moisture loss from the skin while it soothes and softens.
Soy
Soy-based skin products help to brighten skin and even skin tones and are an excellent choice for persons seeking an alternative to expensive, prescription-strength ingredients such as hydroquinone or retinoid.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains powerful antioxidant properties to reduce skin inflammation or irritation. Argan oil, commonly known as โliquid gold,โ is an essential oil derived from a tree native to Morocco. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E.
Witch Hazel
This healing herb contains potent anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce puffiness around the eyes and soothe irritated skin. Witch Hazel is useful in contributing to control oil production while offering hydration and a reduction in skin inflammation and redness.
References
- A Huge Step For Organic Body Care, USDA Organic Skin Care
- โOrganicโ Cosmetics, U.S. Food And Drug Administration
- Cosmetics, Body Care Products, and Personal Care Products, USDA National Organic Program
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