In recent years, something in our overall culture has triggered a desire for more "natural" consumer products. We want natural (or "organic") foods, supplements, and skincare treatments. For whatever reason, we want to get back to the basic ingredients with which we have been provided by the earth.
While this direction can certainly be a positive one, we as consumers need to beware of what we are buying, even if the label for a skincare product boasts that it is "all natural." Even some of my favorite brands have their flaws, and I have learned how to look sharp before buying.
First of all, you need to learn to carefully read ingredients. The front label will always emphasize the ingredients that sound most appealing and simplistic, but sometimes you will be surprised or even repelled by what you see on the back.
For example, many natural cleansers are heavily oil-based. They do, in fact, use "natural" oils, but these are counterproductive for oily and/or acne-prone skin. On the other hand, the lipids in natural oils can be helpful for dry skin types.
Many organic skin remedies take pride in their lack of preservatives. Now, as we know, preservatives are manufactured in order to keep the ingredients of any product--food or otherwise--fresh and effective.
A skin treatment free of preservatives might sound appealing, but imagine drinking spoiled milk. Most of us have done it at least once (by mistake). Yuck, right? Now imagine rubbing that on your face.
If you are buying something in a smaller quantity and/or you expect to use a particular product fairly quickly, then don't sweat the lack of preservatives. But if you expect to be using a particular treatment over the course of more than a few weeks, you need to choose something with preservatives in the mix.
This next tip applies to skincare products of all kinds: beware of the blanket statement, "Suitable for all skin types." Your skin is a living, breathing organ; it is not the same as anyone else's. While we use categories like "sensitive," "dry," and "oily," to describe qualities of skin, everyone is a bit different.
That is why you need to be so careful about the products you choose for yourself. Even taking recommendations from friends and relatives can be tricky.
I hope you don't think that I am downing natural skincare products. We should take advantage of the things the earth has given us to have healthy skin. But simply trusting in natural treatments can cause more problems. Don't be afraid of dermatological science--it has been developed for a reason!
Author Resource:-
Skin Attraction (http://www.skinattraction.com/) offer professional treatment services such as Microdermabration, glycolic peels, obagi skincare products, pharmaceutical grade collagen treatment, and a variety of facials. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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