Great Skin, Naturally!

by Laura M. Cummins

Nowadays, there seems to be such a variety of skincare products available to us, which claim to have the latest discovery in creating a flawless complexion. Pay X amount of dollars for this miracle cream and it will magically erase all of your skin’s imperfections. Unfortunately, the majority of these products are loaded with plenty of toxins, which may contribute to certain forms of skin allergies, sinusitis and even possibly be carcinogenic.

More than eight percent of the cosmetic products on the market today contain one or more ingredients that have been documented to create adverse reactions. These reactions include dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), acne, hyperpigmentation and many other adverse effects. Product appearance, shelf life and cost of materials are the main factors manufacturers will usually take into consideration, when it comes to choosing ingredients. As a consumer, however, you should be aware of the contents of your skin care products and know what their functions are before purchasing. Ask for an ingredient list from the manufacturer of the product line in question and familiarize yourself with any harmful components. Today, there are many books and other publications available to the public through our libraries, many bookstores and even on the Internet, which discuss cosmetic ingredients and their negative impact on our bodies.

When you make a purchase, make sure you don’t buy items because they smell good, come in pretty colors or have unique packaging. Try to remember that the products you purchase will be applied to your skin, which is your body’s largest organ. Avoid making the mistake, of assuming that the skin forms an impenetrable barrier to chemical substances. The layers of our skin are open to penetration and passage of synthetic substances into our bodies. It is a tragedy that American consumers are used involuntarily as test subjects for ingredients and thousands must suffer adverse reactions before these substances, are taken off the market.

If you are searching for completely natural, skin care products, you will definitely have a hard time finding them available on the commercial market. One of the main reasons is that commercial products contain synthetic preservatives, which help maintain their shelf life for about two to three years. Without some type of preservative, microorganisms would multiply freely within products, and create horrible side effects (such as skin allergies or even blindness). However, synthetic ingredients are cellular toxins and have caused allergic skin reactions and dermatitis.

Many are carcinogenic and believed to create possible systemic reactions even though, they have not been studied thoroughly. This is definitely a frightening thought, but we have other options to minimize the negative impact of preservatives.

Skin care products can be produced with natural preservatives, like essential oils or antioxidants to help maintain a limited shelf life and help to dramatically decrease side effects. There is also the possibility of these products being produced without preservatives, which would require a highly sterilized environment for the manufacturing process and definitely refrigeration once opened. Many large companies will not perform such a process, because the lack of a sufficient shelf life. You will find though, many smaller companies, especially family owned, to incorporate natural preservatives into their products to offer today’s customer a more natural alternative.

Smart Skin Shopping

Try to avoid products containing synthetic fragrances and dyes, which tend to aggravate a sensitive or reactive skin type.

Be careful of alcohol-based lotions or toners, which tend to disturb the pH level of our complexions, leaving it much more dehydrated than it was initially.

Bar soap is not for your cleaning your face, not unless it is specially formulated for your complexion with a correct pH balance. (Most soap has a pH of at least seven and often as high as 10, this will leave your skin feeling taught and dehydrated).

If a product claims it contains pure essential oils (e.g. lavender) and it is not contained in a dark glass bottle or specially lined packaging, you might think twice about purchasing. Essential oils in direct contact with plastic will break down the therapeutic qualities of these aromatic essences, which are very volatile.

Healthy and Natural Alternatives

Before the turn of the century, many cosmetics and skin treatments were either homemade or compounded by a pharmacist. Many individuals used herbs, fruit and vegetables found in their gardens to treat skin ailments. Today, we can make many of these natural remedies ourselves with supplies available at our local health-food stores, mail order, or even on the Internet. If you make your own skin care products, you will definitely have complete control over how natural the final product actually is. Search for a great reference guide, to help you determine what ingredients to utilize appropriately together. Even with natural ingredients, you must be aware of their actions and use them correctly.

To determine the right skin care regimen for yourself, you will definitely have to focus on the proper treatments for your skin type and choose those you enjoy the most. Personalization is the key. Try to remember though, as your skin or environment changes, so should your skin care treatments. The only way you are going to be able to maintain the true beauty of your complexion is to treat it appropriately. Three simple steps ----Cleansing, toning and moisturizing twice a day, every day --- will help keep your skin healthy and protect it from the stresses of daily life.

Our skin renewal process takes about 28 days, more or less depending on our age, genetics, and metabolism.

Follow your skin regimen faithfully for at least three to four weeks and you will definitely start to notice true results.