Herbal and Organic Skin Care Top Alternative

As consumers grow weary and suspicious of excessive chemical ingredients in their modern beauty products, herbal constituents and organic skincare continue to be a top alternative.

Current scientific studies have shown natural ingredients like Chamomile to contain healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically, rendering old chemical formulations unnecessary. Indeed, analysis of many common herbs reveal that they too are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and proteins as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties.

As a result of this rediscovered wealth of herbal healing, spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Natural products also tend to be safer and less toxic to our bodies as well as the environment.

The best organic skin care products contain carefully designed blends of healing herbs that use the actual plant constituents thus preserving their unrefined and natural characteristics.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specifically to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.

Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affect all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.

In modern skincare products, formaldehyde and parabens are commonly used preservatives and can provoke allergic reactions. Although the preservatives are needed to maintain product shelf life and only minute amounts are present in any given product, many products contain these same chemicals, including skin care products, makeup, medications, antiperspirants, toothpaste, and foods.

A note for those prone to allergic reactions

If you suffer from sensitive, allergic skin or severe dry skin, you may be among those who will have a problem or reaction to these chemical-laden products.

Vice President Noushin Adhami, stated, “Vivoderm would like all natural skincare consumers to understand - just because a product is labeled “natural,” does not make it any less potent or prone to cause an allergic reaction. Of course chemical substances have a greater chance of causing an allergy or toxic reactions, but you should always be aware of the products you are using and potential reactions you may have.”

The FDA recommends understanding the ingredient label and says, “There is no list of ingredients that can be guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions, so consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin.”

It is your role as an informed consumer to carefully read the labels for all products that come into contact with your skin, whether internally or externally. Assure that they don’t contain the listed ingredients that you must avoid. Your skin barrier does a lot to protect you naturally, repay the favor and feed it nourishing chemical-free products whenever you can.

Eliminating Allergens

If you suffer from sensitive or dry, delicate skin, you already know how difficult it can be to find a skin care product that does not cause a negative reaction. However, have you considered many other kinds of chemicals you are exposed to every day? Many unsuspecting products, like household cleaners, air pollution and even industrial chemicals in your furniture can induce inflammation in susceptible individuals. If you suffer from dry or sensitive skin, you are more at risk for reactions, especially if you are already experiencing extreme dryness or eczema symptoms.

To repair your natural skin barrier, you must first take active steps to build it up by eating healthy fats – like olives, avocados and raw nuts or butters and engaging in a natural healthy diet to start. To further help your condition, review the dermatological list below to identify, and where possible, eliminate allergy-causing ingredients. Whether what you experience is merely a sensitivity or full-blown allergic reaction, try to eliminate anything that causes inflammation and can degrade your skin barrier – and its ability to protect you from harmful irritants. Give your skin a chance to heal by protecting it from things that may cause a reaction.

1. Eliminate chemical ingredients in skin care and perfumes – including parabens and all manner of chemical substances until you have narrowed down your reactions.

2. Eliminate problem ingredients in soaps, shampoo, bath, body care, dental, shaving, and conditioning products and medications. Avoid products that foam or contain detergents. Always rinse thoroughly after cleansing and shampooing. Protect your skin with moisturizer afterwards.

3. Avoid direct contact with dish and laundry detergents, household cleansing products, paints, strippers, furniture polishes, and other ingredients containing harsh chemicals. Wear gloves, moisturize, or avoid contact with suds: altogether. Studies show that residual detergent remaining in laundery or clothing may be a prime contributor to eczema. Rinse your clothing twice if your washing machine allows.

4. Notice whether fabrics in clothing, furniture, or bedding are irritating your skin due to their rough texture or chemicals treating them. Use hypoallergenic protectors on mattresses and large furniture if this is the case.

5. Pay attention to contact allergies from jewelry, flatware, and coins or metals containing nickel, a common allergen. Some are allergic to gold, so always be aware of unsuspecting culprits.

6. Only use quality filtered water and avoid hard water when possible. Chlorinated water, excessively hot water, or long soaks in baths, showers, or hot tubs, can strip precious oils from your skin.

If you consider all these factors and use them diligently, your skin barrier can be restored and you may be able to withstand common irritants and practices. But for now, notice what chemicals irritate you and avoid contact with them at all costs in order to give your skin a chance to rebuild itself. If you are unable to address your symptom on your own, ask a professional dermatologist about patch testing, which can help you determine exactly what your allergies may be.