Skincare Controversy: Is Natural and Organic Skin Care Safer?

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) January 3, 2008 -- Recently, studies have shown that companies are legally allowed to put things into their skincare products that would never be allowed in foods. Fragrances and preservatives are the two main causes of allergic reactions to skin care products. Experts find that because the skin acts as a barrier between the inside and outside world, all skincare products will, to some degree, be absorbed into the body. Skincare-News.com's latest article, "Think Before You Buy, Part I," finds that organic and natural products have been hailed as the solution to dangerous ingredients in beauty products. But what's the truth behind these harder to find and more expensive natural and organic products?

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Organic, Natural: What Does It All Mean?

Technically, organic means that a product is made without synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, hormones, antibiotics, fertilizers or other synthetic or toxic substances for a three-year minimum. No artificial flavors or colors have been added. Unless the product specifically says "100% organic" and has the USDA Organic seal, assume that it contains both organic and non-organic ingredients. While these labels are important for marketing, they provide no guidelines about product safety. Don't assume that the ingredients are necessarily safer just because they are indeed organic.

Safety First

According to the FDA website (www.fda.gov), regulations regarding the sale of cosmetics are less strict than for other FDA-regulated products. The FDA doesn't regulate cosmetics until after the product is put on the market. The FDA can and does perform inspections of products in regards to safety, but it isn't a requirement in the same way food and drugs are tested.

Organic has become a fairly well-regulated term, but what does "natural" or "derived from plants" mean? Technically, a company can add two natural ingredients and market the product as "contains natural ingredients," at the same time filling it with a whole host of synthetic fillers, dyes and fragrances. Many ingredients may indeed be derived from natural sources, but synthetic chemicals are used in the processing.

Ingredients People Can Actually Pronounce

There is something comforting about being able to pronounce most of the ingredients in beauty products. But does familiar mean safer? According to an article in the New York Times, government and beauty industry representatives affirm that there isn't conclusive scientific evidence to prove that plant-based cosmetics are superior in regards to safety or health concerns. Rather than thinking in terms of natural vs. unnatural, it's better to investigate specific ingredients instead.

Chemicals and the Skin: Here are a few ingredients to pay attention to.

-Parabens are common preservatives and antibacterial agents used in beauty ingredients. They are used to make products last longer, but have been linked to toxicity.

-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate comes from coconut and is thereby said to be a "natural" ingredient. Natural or not, this ingredient can cause everything from rashes to hair loss.

-Emollients protect the skin and act as a healing barrier. Though the majority of products contain them, some synthetic emollients can be irritating; they coat the skin like a layer of plastic wrap, preventing skin from breathing, which is why natural emollients can be a good option. Look for nourishing, biodegradable ingredients like rose hip, avocado, shea, cocoa and jojoba butters.

Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:

Let's Face It: Dealing with Facial Hair

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These days, beauty aisles are chock full of creams, lotions, scrubs, butters and serums, with sophisticated ingredients and a plethora of benefits. But while there are plenty of solutions for crow's feet and wrinkled skin, the solutions for another kind of skincare problem--facial hair--can seem complicated or tedious. But don't feel destined to a future of worrying about these errant hairs. The good news is there are a multitude of effective treatments for this all too common condition.

My, What Bumpy Arms You Have!

http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=354

Characterized by whitish bumps which are clustered on the backs of the upper arms, and sometimes referred to as 'chicken skin', keratosis pilaris is neither contagious nor harmful, but can be irritating, annoying and frustrating to treat, as no real cure exists. Even though there is no known cure for keratosis pilaris, there are many products available to treat a flare-up, and even to smooth away the bumpy symptoms of this condition.

A Whiter and Brighter Smile Compliments any Skincare Regime!

http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=314

We all know that drinks such as coffee, red wine, and black tea can cause teeth to become less than white, as can the regular aging process. Commercials and celebrities are constantly selling whiter smiles, and it is estimated that Americans spend around 1.7 million dollars per year on whitening products. How can one get a whiter smile, and which methods are safest?

Cosmetic Acupuncture: An Alternative to Plastic Surgery?

http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=297

Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher and many others have allegedly turned to an age-old treatment, which replaces the traditional facelift -- Cosmetic Acupuncture, which is also known as "acupuncture facial rejuvenation" or an "acupuncture facelift." Rather than cutting the skin or using harsh chemical peels, acupuncture provides more subtle results that are noticed over time. A recent study by the International Journal of Clinical acupuncture claims that 90% of those who tried facial acupuncture saw positive results such as softening of facial lines, improvement in skin tone, reduction of under-eye circles and a general facial glow.

Growing Impatient With the Hands of Time

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Often times people feel as if the skincare industry has just sucked money out of them without giving any results in exchange for that hefty price tag. Today's skincare industry can be extremely pricey and confusing, with so many ingredients that do a variety of things that are so similar it can make anyone's head spin. However, more than occasionally the lack of results is caused, quite simply, by the user.

About SkinCare-News.com -- "Your Source for Intelligent Skin Care"

Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles. Founded in 2005, SkinCare-News.com features articles, news items and frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty related issues. SkinCare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California, but receives visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.skincare-news.com

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