Skin Care
Natural and organic labels are everywhere, from face cleansers to face masks and everything in between. But the labels may not tell the whole story. Products that are used in natural skin care usually include botanical extracts and essential oils, but that doesn't mean all the ingredients are natural.
The USDA certifies organic food but not personal-care items. That gives companies some leeway when it comes to labeling, making it difficult for consumers to know whether a product is natural or organic. Following is a list of some organic skin-care lines that contain organic ingredients:
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care offers the customer a holistic approach to skin care that relies on plant extracts to bring out a person's essential beauty. If you don't know what products are best for your skin type, you can answer a series of questions on the Web site and be directed to a line of skin-care products, or if you need personal service an aesthetician will answer any questions.
Juice Beauty carries a line of cleansers, toners, exfoliants, and moisturizers made from freshly squeezed organic juices. The company uses USDA-certified organic growers for the juice, honey, and aloe vera in their skin care products. Because the USDA doesn't certify personal-care products, the Juice Beauty designs their own organic labels indicating their discrete purchasing practices.
Kiss My Face was started in an old New York farmhouse by a vegetarian duo back in the 1980s. The company now carries a line of 150 all-natural products that have eliminated the use of unnecessary chemicals. The pair believes personal care need not be sacrificed when it comes to protecting the environment.
Nature's Gate provides personal-care products that are environmentally friendly, developed using natural botanicals. Not only that, the company sells all its products in recycled packaging.
Noah's Naturals is a product line sold exclusively by Wal-Mart. Their products are made from organic herbs, essential oils, plant oils, and emollients.
Just because skin-care products are made with organic ingredients doesn't mean they'll be compatible with your skin. Even though a product is organic or natural doesn't mean it won't cause an allergic reaction.
Common products that are labeled as hypoallergenic may still cause allergic reactions. Labels such as hypoallergenic and allergy tested are up to the manufacturer's discretion and don't have to meet specific regulatory criteria. It's up to consumers to determine what's really hypoallergenic.
Finding the perfect match may not come the first time around. If you have a particular concern, such as reddish or very sensitive skin, you can call the company to consult on the best choices to make. Sometimes this information is available on the websites, providing recommendations based on skin type.
Beyond eliminating the production and use of chemicals, purchasing organic products supports organic farming, which is better for the environment.
