A Guide To Decoding The Labels On Natural Skin Care Products

Using skincare products should give you pause for thought because some of them contain ingredients that you might not want on your body. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin or some type of skin condition, such as eczema or dermatitis. That's why it's so important to evaluate what's in your skincare products so you can make the best choices for your needs.

Get the best green living content straight to your inbox

We ♥ your privacy.

Like Organic Soul on Facebook

Many people turn to natural skincare products in an effort to limit the harsh chemicals they put onto their skin. However, the term “natural” is one to understand because you might be surprised to find that some so-called natural products might not be what you think.

Here's a guide to reading the labels on natural skincare products.

Definition Of Natural

Calling something natural makes it sound safer and better for you, but that's not always the case. The term itself means that the item exists or was formed in nature.

While natural skincare products do contain some such ingredients, such as cold pressed oils, coconut oil or aloe vera, they might still have some additional ingredients that are synthetic.

It's important to read the label carefully to determine what percentage of the product is natural or not. In addition, the natural ingredients in your skincare products do require some amount of processing before going into the product, so they rarely go from the field to the bottle.

Organic On The Label

Some people find some comfort in the term, “organic” on the label of a skincare product. This term can be confusing to some people due to the terminology that sometimes goes with it. Organic chemistry refers to scientific technology that is used in a lab to make skincare products.

Organic on its own refers to the way an ingredient was grown, that is to say, that it must adhere to certain guidelines to be truly organic.

That includes being grown without exposure to pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer; the item cannot be genetically modified, and sewage cannot be used for growth. The thing to remember here is that some products will claim they are organic, even if they aren't.

To be sure the item you are choosing is truly organic, it must be labeled as such. It's also important to know that the FDA does not regulate organic products in terms of their use in beauty products or skincare items. There are several levels of organic, including 100 percent organic, organic (which is at least 95 percent), made with organic ingredients and less than 70 percent organic.

Raw Beauty

The term, raw beauty came about in response to the confusion that often surrounds the labeling of natural and organic skincare products. Raw beauty refers to a product made with ingredients that have not been exposed to heat.

This helps to preserve many of the nutrients and their benefits that are found in natural and organic ingredients. Most raw beauty products are vegan and preservative-free and must be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from spoiling.

The exception to this case is if the item is in powder form, in which case it won't need to be kept chilled for preservation purposes. The raw beauty trend is similar to the raw eating one and is based on the idea that it allows your body to use more of the nutrients in your skincare products to keep your skin healthy, fresh and youthful.

Synthetic Ingredients

Most skincare ingredients have some type of synthetic ingredients in them. You will have to search pretty hard to find one that eliminates them altogether, and those that don't contain synthetic ingredients are often more expensive.

However, unless you have specific skincare issues, these ingredients are generally recognized as safe and are likely appropriate for your skin type and skincare needs. On the other hand, some of these synthetic ingredients can be quite harsh on your skin, possibly leading to reactions like rashes and acne breakouts.

Some of these synthetic ingredients are created for specific purposes, such as fading sun spots or anti-aging your skin.

Skip Fragrances

Many times, the fragrances or scents added to skincare products are what keep them from being billed as natural. Often the fragrance added contains scary components, such as phthalates, which can interfere with your health and lead to estrogen related issues by altering your body's natural chemistry.

In addition, some of them can lead to allergic reactions, both within your body and on your skin. Always choose fragrance-free skincare products to protect yourself from the risk.

How To Make Your Routine More Natural

Now that you know what to look for on your skincare products, you need some tips for making your entire routine more natural, which can be a wonderful choice for the look, feel and health of your skin.

Most experts will recommend keeping your routine simple. That means avoiding excess products that you probably don't really need. Skincare researchers recommend sticking to a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen.

These four products protect skin from everyday damage, keep it hydrated and infuse it with the ingredients that keep it healthy and fresh.

Consider The Packaging

When you go natural, it pays to consider the packaging of your skincare products as well as to what's inside. Look for those made with recycled materials and be sure that they can be recycled again once you're done with them.

Glass and cardboard are recyclable, as are some types of plastic. Read the label to determine the nature of the package and what you can do with it when the product is finished with.

Homemade Skincare Products

Ultimately, you can't be entirely sure of what goes into store-bought skincare products. Of course, you always have the option to call or write to the manufacturer and request more information.

However, when you make your own skincare products, you have all of the control over the ingredients and the preparation process.

a-guide-to-decoding-the-labels-on-natural-skin-care-products-pinThere are multiple recipes out there for making your own skin cleansers, creams and more, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something you can use. You'll need to make homemade skin care in small batches because it doesn't have as long a shelf life as other skincare products.

Natural skincare is a great option to consider if you have skincare issues or you simply want to do what's best for your body. When you make such changes to your routine, being educated is vital to ensuring that you make the best choice you can base on your skin needs and how you feel about certain types of ingredients.

If you have any type of skincare concerns, it's always a good idea to talk to your dermatologist before using any new kind of product, including those that are homemade. In the end, natural skincare is a good choice for just about anyone.

Write For Us!

What Do You Think? Share Your Comments Below