Tips for Selecting Natural Beauty Products

Confused by all of the ingredients on cosmetic labels? If you are, you're not alone. With so many cosmetic companies making so many different products, it is easy to be confused about what exactly is in the products that you are buying. This article contains information to help you if you are looking for natural skin care products.

Here are four things to look for:

Choose products that contain natural vegetable oils, not mineral oil. Vegetable oils, like corn oil, olive oil, sunflower oil and jojoba oil are rich in fatty acids which help to soothe the skin and help alleviate skin problems. Studies have shown that vegetable oils that contain a high percentage of essential fatty acids help to soften skin, hydrate skin and soothe minor irritations. Oils that are high in essential fatty acids are: Soybean oil (51%) , sunflower oil (58%) , corn oil (52%) , safflower oil (70%), borage oil (38%), evening primrose oil (71%). Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and has no nutritive value to the skin.

Choose products that contain natural, gentle essential oils. Essential oils are oils that are derived from the roots, flowers, stems, leaves and other parts of plants. Many essential oils are antiseptic and bactericidal, and are a natural alternative to the synthetic compounds found in many cosmetic products. Grapefruit essential oil (scientific name Citrus x paradisi) has been found to stimulate hair growth, french lavender essential oil (scientific name Lavandula angustifolia) has been found to help combat dandruff, and tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been found to help clear up acne.

When selecting body powders choose ones that are made with natural clays and powders instead of talc. Some of the natural clays and powders that you will see in natural body care products are fullers earth, bentonite clay, french green clay, kaolin, cornstarch and/or arrowroot powder. Talc is similar in chemical composition to asbestos and can be a potential irritant to the lungs.

When selecting soap, look for cold-processed soaps or glycerin soaps. Both of these soaps are less drying to the skin than milled soaps. Cold-processed soaps contain large amounts of glycerin. (Glycerin is a humectant and helps the skin to retain moisture). As a result cold-processed soaps are kinder to the skin and less drying than soaps made with other methods. Glycerin soap is soap that has had extra glycerin added to it. It is also very gentle to the skin.