The term “natural” is somewhat misleading with regard to use in cosmetics. In Australia and the US manufacturers can add 5% of a natural ingredient to a synthetic and call a product natural. This is generally regarded as “greenwashing” and such products aren’t considered natural at all. So what do you look for to get the REAL benefits from truly natural products?

1. Truly natural products contain no synthetic ingredients such as artificial colours or fragrances. Artificial fragrances are amongst the most irritating ingredient in skin care with the ability to cause or significantly contribute to irritating skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and hives. You will notice the difference in your skin when you avoid such ingredients.

2. Natural products contain no potentially harmful ingredients such as petrochemicals, mineral oils, sodium lauryl sulphate and propolene glycol. According to Skin Deep, an Environmental Working Group in the US, many of the synthetic ingredients used (in the US and Australia) in everyday skin care are potentially toxic to humans.

3. Natural Skin Care is formulated to support the healthy functioning of our skin from within and without. Humans absorb up to 60% of any substance applied to our skin. It has been calculated that the average women can absorb up to 2kg of different chemicals through their skin each year. By using natural products you ensure that what you are absorbing is benefiting your skin and body, promoting radiance and health.

4. Our bodies have to break down, detoxify and excrete any substance we put on them. This puts an extra burden of toxicity on the body and is of particular concern for young babies and children whose organs of elimination are not fully developed. Reduce your toxic burden by using whole, unrefined natural products.

5. Natural skin & body care products contain nutrients, including naturally occurring antioxidants, amino acids, botanical extracts, pure essential oils and essential fatty acids in their holistic form which is more compatible with our skin and bodies. This includes nutrients such as grape seed (rich in phytochemicals that support the skin), rose hip oil (rich in vitamin C), Carrot oil (rich in vitamin A), pumpkin seed oil (rich in zinc), olive oil (rich in squalene) to name but a few. These ingredients promote healthy skin by nourishing from the outside in.

6. Natural cosmetics are more active. Excluding water, often contain up to 95% active ingredients rather than 5% active ingredients in a 95% inert (non-active) base as in many of everyday personal care products and cosmetics. You will notice a difference when you use natural products.

7. Wholly natural products are not tested on animals.

8. Many of the suppliers of natural skin care are local and cottage industries. Buying these products supports sustainable manufacturing processes, the ability to maintain quality control by hand making small quantities in order to provide fresh product, small business enterprise and local communities.

9. Natural products are environmentally friendly. Recent studies have shown that the chemicals and toxins found in most skin care products have a harmful effect on the environment as well as they take longer to break down than whole, unrefined ingredients.

10. Value for money. Natural products don’t have to compete with synthetic products or compete in the hyped brand focused market. You are also paying for active rather than inert ingredients. When considering the benefits available form natural skin care the value of natural products outweighs anything else on the market.

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Moisturizer and Antioxidant

You may not know this. Honey is a primary ingredient in natural skin care in ancient times, in villages and it is widely used these days. Why is honey used? Researchers and scientists have found that honey is an antioxidant. Anti-oxidants protect the pores and skin from the sunlight that causes skin damage, premature ageing, and also cancer!

Honey, a natural moisturizer, attracts and retains water. When applied for a facial mask or a bath, honey moisturizes the pores and skin. Have you got sensitive skin? Then using honey within your skin care regime is for you as it is soothing and does not irritate the pores and skin.

Treatment for Acne

Honey is an anti-microbial agent. It prevents bacteria development. Why is honey a good anti-microbial agent? Honey, high in sugar content, limits the water amount available to bacteria. Bacteria need nitrogen to grow. It has low protein content and acidity level that deprives the nitrogen bacteria. The anti-microbial agent in honey makes it an excellent treatment for acne flare-ups. Unlike most other acne products or treatments, it doesn’t make the skin dry.

Treatment for Skin Conditions

A recent research and study done at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health has proven that a mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil relieve eczema and psoriasis symptoms related. 80% of the people with eczema who took part in the study had great improvements. They experienced significant reductions in the symptoms – itching, oozing and scaling by using natural treatment.

Honey, which has anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties, reduces scarring and pain. It accelerates wound healing. Both olive oil and honey contain flavonoids, which protects inhibit histamines and cells – a condition that causes allergic reactions. Bastyr’s mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil, is an effective skin care ointment for scrapes, small cuts and abrasions.

Honey is the basis of many natural skin care products. From wound to preventative care to disease treatment, scientists and dermatologists agree that nobody should have a natural skin care regime without it.

Lisa Brumm has been writing articles professionally, both offline and online, since15 years ago. This author is not only writing in the subject of health, but also in homemade soap, soap making, organic handmade soap and many other more. Check out her latest website at purehandmadesoap.com.

The well known brands of skin care tend to cost more. This is simply because you are paying for the name . You are also paying for all the marketing they do, whether on TV or in glossy magazines, and of course for the expensive packaging .

We are easily seduced out of our money when it comes to looking good . Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting to improve our appearance, it’s perfectly natural. However we do NOT have to pay a fortune for quality all natural skincare products. The ingredients that go into making the cheaper and more expensive brands are the same, but there are some things we do need to be aware of .

You really need to read the label; there’s no getting away from it . Not just to make sure the products are really natural, but to make sure the natural ingredients make up 100% of the content of the jar or bottle . Frequently the natural ingredients are only a small part of the total mix.

Certain natural ingredients can’t be absorbed by the skin . For instance collagen and elastin are found in many natural anti aging products but are quite useless.. An effective product is one that will stimulate collagen production within the skin.

So do your research before parting with your hard earned cash . Don’t be fooled by the glossy celebrity ads that claim to use these expensive products, it’s probably all spin. Even worse, most clebrity advertising has been airbrushed to make them look much more glamorous than they actually are.

Of course you can make your own skin care. That’s one way of making sure the ingredients are all natural. However that is time consuming and the finished results don’t keep very well. It is a far better idea to buy inexpensive all natural skin care that work really well. However you won’t find them in a glossy magazine.