Natural Skin Care

Many of us have jumped onto the organic food bandwagon and have drastically changed what we put into our bodies. What many of us don’t realize is the amount of harmful substances our bodies absorb because of the beauty products we use. There are unfortunately major loopholes in federal law, which make it possible for companies to use nearly any ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products – even chemicals that are known to harm our health and the environment. We should all consider switching to completely natural products, which perform to the same standard as their unhealthy counterparts.

Some natural skin care tips from Planet Green:

1.Simplify
Don't be fooled by cosmetic advertising: All you need is a basic cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen to keep your skin in tip-top shape.

2.Make Sure "Natural" Is Really Natural
Toxic synthetic chemicals are the biggest issue in the beauty industry today, so it pays to examine product labels. A great resource is the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database site, which rates popular cosmetics depending on their toxicity.

3.Say No to Fragrance
Federal law doesn't require companies to declare any of the dozens of toxic chemicals that a single product's fragrance mixture could contain. Be mindful of the hidden dangers that "fragrance" or "parfum" listed on ingredients labels can pose, and always choose fragrance-free products.

4.Choose Organic Beauty Products
Organic ingredients are those grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which is healthier for the planet and healthier for our bodies.

5.Make your own beauty treatments at home
If you are interested in saving yourself some money you can always go into your kitchen and make some of your own beauty treatments!

6.Read Labels
The biggest and most complicated issues regarding the cosmetics we use are the unregulated chemicals that are used to make them. The best advice is to learn the main ones to avoid and then check the product ingredient label. You can also choose a cosmetics company that has signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics compact and uses certified organic and natural ingredients.

7.Choose petroleum-free products
There are a surprising number of petroleum derivatives to be found in not only our cosmetics but also in other personal care products. Mineral oil, paraffin, and propylene glycol can be found as basic ingredients in the majority of cosmetic products.

8.Use aluminum-free deodorant
Instead of using antiperspirant, try using natural deodorant brands that don't contain aluminum, or try the crystal stick which uses natural mineral salts.

9.Brush with natural toothpaste
Many major brands of toothpaste contain chemicals like parabens, titanium dioxide for whitening, and high levels of fluoride. There are many natural types of toothpaste on the market, and many people also find that just using a bit of baking soda will do the trick as well.

10.Healthy hair care
Hair, like the skin, is extremely absorbent and all those products can contain potentially harmful chemicals. Watch out for: shampoos and conditioners containing petroleum products; hair dyes with carcinogenic coal tar, hairsprays and hair gels containing petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance. Try to find brands that make safe alternatives for all these products.