Despite the known dangers associated with many of the ingredients in cosmetics, skin care and personal care products, some manufacturers continue to use them. This is because they are inexpensive and can be used to produce items that can be marketed successfully at huge profits. Health doesn’t appear to be an issue.

You can of course check the safety data of products as Federal regulations require ingredients to be listed on labels in descending order by quantity. Usually if you break the list into thirds, the top third will be 90 – 95% of the product, the middle will be 5 – 8% and the bottom will be 1 -3%.

You can check the safety data sheets on all ingredients but problems occur when the manufacturers do not list the recognised INCI (International Names of Cosmetic Ingredients). Instead they use either made up names or complex chemical trade names making it very difficult for the average consumer to look up.

The list of potentially harmful ingredients is long. The best advice is to read the labels on your toothpaste, shampoo, moisturizer, deodorant and cosmetics. If you can’t pronounce them – don’t use them!

Of course the safest course of action is to seek out natural and organic products but even here you have to beware. Some unscrupulous manufacturers mislead their customers with false labels. The industry’s definitions (whilst legal) are not the same as those in the dictionary and which the majority of consumers would expect.

For instance the chemical definition of “organic” is ‘a compound that contains a carbon atom’. Since carbon is found in anything that has ever lived, certain cosmetic companies use synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum products and describe them as “organic preservatives”.

Also you will find descriptions of “derived from (some sort of natural ingredient)” which lulls you into a false sense of security. You see it means a chemical process has taken place and it is no longer “natural”.

The only way to ensure you get 100% synthetic chemical and toxic free products is to look for the recognized Certified Organic logos.

In order to be Certified Organic, products must contain at least 95% organically produced agricultural ingredients (excluding water and salt). The remaining 5% can be non agricultural substances or non organically produced agricultural ingredients with strict processing criteria, e.g. NO GMO’s and absolutely NO SYNTHETIC
CHEMICALS.

Organic products only have to contain at least 70% organically produced agricultural ingredients (excluding water and salt) but again the remaining 30% have to follow the same strict processing criteria, e.g. NO GMO’s and absolutely NO SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS.

However, currently, body care products are not required to comply with the stringent organic food standards maintained by International certification bodies such as the BFA and NASAA in Australia and the USDA in America. As a result many so called “organic” body care products are on the market. Since water is the primary ingredient in many cosmetics, some manufacturers claim to use organic hydrosols, or floral water, to green wash their products. They then make organic label claims whilst still using synthetic toxic ingredients that would NEVER be allowed in organic food products.

Fortunately one company produces an entire range of skin, personal and body care products which are entirely genuinely “organic”. Most of their items are Certified Organic to Food Standards which means you could even eat them and they wouldn’t do you any harm although this is not a recommendation.

They are the only company on the planet to have submitted their products for third party independent certification so their integrity is assured. Also you can actually pronounce all the beneficial active ingredients listed.

If you care for your health I recommend you read the labels.

Jean Shaw
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/why-you-need-to-read-the-labels-on-cosmetics-and-skin-care-products-part-2-55088.html

Every person’s home should be a beautiful oasis, especially the bathroom. When a person enters their shower, they should feel like they are entering a little piece of paradise that has been designed just for them. The time spent in their warm, steamy shower or tub should be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of their busy, daily life.

When a person brings naturally produced items with them into the shower they are guaranteeing themselves a relaxing experience that will leave them feeling beautiful and fresh. Only natural skin care products can create a true sanctuary.

There is a great deal of variety in the naturally produced cosmetic lines. Companies that provide these items have worked hard to create goods that appeal to people’s desires for purity and quality results. Consumers can essentially find a naturally produced alternative for any item that they desire.

It is unfortunate, but like so many other items on the market, many cosmetic lines fill their items with synthetic ingredients. The beauty lines so many of us have come to rely on are actually chemically laden and possibly even toxic. Items such as these cannot compare to the gentle purity that is offered by natural skin care products.

When you look to purchase the highest quality items for yourself and your family, you need to understand the ingredients that will be listed on the bottle. Items that contain pure ingredients have very easy to read ingredient lists. On these bottles you will find names like cold pressed oil, organic hydrosols, and glycerin. You may also see words that you are very familiar with such as sugar, seaweed, citrus, or beeswax.

What you will not find listed on the ingredients of natural skin care products is highly complicated chemical names. You will also not see a long row of preservatives, or the inclusion of parabens. Knowing exactly what goes into an item can provide you with a great sense of security that you are purchasing the highest quality.

It is also important that people understand that just because something smells fresh and fruity does not mean that it is. In fact, those products that have been made to smell like nature are often full of even more synthetic ingredients. There are the chemicals that make up the beauty item and then there are the sweet smelling chemicals that are added to cover them up. Harsh chemicals are not present in truly natural skin care products.

Visit the Spa Sentiments website at http://www.spasentiments.com to learn more about the importance of purchasing naturally produced items. While on this easy to navigate site, you will find great offers for free delivery and other exciting bonuses!

Iprwire Staff Writer
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/natural-skin-care-products-for-you-and-your-family-135676.html

Dry skin is easily treatable today when you know how to take care of it – inside and out. Xeroderma, the medical name for dry skin, occurs most commonly on the lower legs, arms, the sides of the abdomen and thighs and is a very common condition.

Skin contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. The dermis is structurally divided into two areas: a superficial area adjacent to the epidermis, called the papillary region, and a deep thicker area known as the reticular region. Our skin has many nerve endings that provide the sense of touch and heat.

Bathing or showering too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. The symptoms most associated with dry skin are: scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching, and cracks in the skin. Dry skin can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight or some medications.

Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can arise for people with type 2 diabetes. Skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become drier. Dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea or psoriasis may cause the skin to become very dry too.

Good clear skin is usually a reflection of having a good working non-constipated digestive system. Drink freshly extracted carrot juice, if you can, every day; carrot juice is an excellent cleanser for the liver, great for the skin and contains a great deal of nutrients, all beneficial for dry skin, Eczema, acne, zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other breakouts. For an easy fiber boost, to help your skin, add one to two tablespoons of ground up flaxseeds to two or three apples and mix in your food processor.

If you use moisturizers, use the thick, oily-type which work better for dry skin. Dry and pat your skin gently and thoroughly after a bath or shower if it’s extremely dry or irritated. Cosmetics should be used carefully because they may dry out the skin or cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis; read the labels.

Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day. Coconut oil is very inexpensive – a great, cheap home remedy for all skin conditions. Use can use bath oils and moisturizers every day, but coconut oil has the added power of healing.

After a soothing bath or shower at night just before bedtime, apply a thin layer of coconut oil over your entire body; it’ll even last on your skin through your shower in the morning. Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it’s edible, so it’s safe and so healing to the lips.

Skin that’s not clean favors the development of pathogenic organisms; the dead cells continually slough off of the epidermis and mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin, to form a layer on its surface. Many skin conditions can be converted into clear, healthy skin by using natural home remedies.

You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following these dry skin tips and suggestions. Following some of the above treatments, your dry skin should be well on its way to recovery. If nothing seems to work it might be more than dry skin, so you should see your doctor.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/dry-skin-care-your-quick-and-easy-guide-140494.html

Here’s an interesting theory – try to drink as much water as you can in order to prevent dehydration. Why is this a bizarre concept? Most people drink water once they are already thirsty, but drinking before you are thirsty is the key to healthy looking skin.

If you want to know the best anti-aging secret in the world, all you have to do is look at your kitchen sink. Since the body is composed of mostly water, it only makes sense that you should have to drink lots of water to replenish the skin every day.

You see, your skin will lose water nearly every minute of the day. Skin tends to sweat throughout the day (whether or not you notice it), which means that water is escaping your skin and evaporating. Thus, if you take the time to drink water throughout the day, you can bet that your skin will reflect this healthy decision.

Skin that is dehydrated often looks sallow, worn, dry, and wrinkled. In order to keep skin’s collagen intact, you must make sure that you consume enough water. Many people try time and again to find the latest anti-aging trick. The truth is that water is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your skin’s collagen.

How much water should you drink? One half of your body weight in ounces should be consumed every day. If you weight 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water (3.13 quarts, 2.98 litres or about 10-12 cups of water a day). If you weigh closer to 100 pounds you will need only about 50 ounces of water or about four 12-ounce glasses daily. The best way to consume this much water is to keep a glass by your side at all times. If you are active, this amount should be increased.

If you aren’t sure whether or not your skin is dehydrated, try this simple test: get into the habit of drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. After one week, see whether or not your skin’s condition improves. Most people will find that their skin takes on a rosy, youthful, healthy look.

While purchasing natural skin care products are essential for your skin, learning all you can about proper skin care health is also crucial. Eating well, drinking lots of water, including a dietary supplement in your diet, and exercising nearly every day are all great ways to look younger almost immediately

There are lots of things you can do to stop your skin from aging. Many of these things are quite complex, but most of these things are actually quite simple. Begin by drinking more water than you ever have before. If you are like most people living within North America, your skin is likely parched.

Dehydrated skin is skin that looks a lot older than it should. This is precisely why some younger people have an older appearance…and, it’s also the reason why some older people look years younger. Clearly, eating well and understanding conditions such as dehydration are crucial.

Is your skin dehydrated? Make an effort to find out right away. While dehydration can be a dire thing, the good news is that this condition can be fixed. Be aware of your skin’s condition at all times. Remember – the best that you can do in order to prevent aging is to prevent dehydration…don’t wait for your skin to become dehydrated.

Jerzy George
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/what-dehydration-has-to-do-with-beauty-and-skin-care-716043.html

According to recent studies, more than one gender now cares about skincare. We all know how crazy women are about their skin, especially as it starts to age. They’ll do anything…buy anything…that gets rid of wrinkles and saggy skin. But now, they won’t just be elbowing each other to get to the latest product.

Finally, men have woken up to skin care health. Well, some men.

Companies have taken note too. Many now offer man skin care lines that rival their womens line. They offer everything—face creams, eye gels, body lotions, and even masks.

Some of that stuff probably sounds girly to you. And you wouldn’t tell your buds at the gym that you put on a hydrating mask over the weekend. Male skin care products, though available, are still very much an underground thing. Don’t believe me?

Well, the next time you have to buy a gift for a guy friend, father, or brother, get him skin cream. And watch the reaction as he opens it. One of two things will happen. The other people in the room (men and women) will crack jokes about your gift. Or the room will be dead silent and the guy you gave it to will say, “oh…skin cream”.

In many households and social circles, there still is a stigma to male skin care. This is unfortunate and hurts men in two ways.

(1) Men avoid using skin creams altogether. Even though they notice the bags under their eyes or dry skin, they just live with it in silence. Could you imagine a woman doing that? Your skin is no different from other body parts. In fact, it’s the largest organ. Yet, an entire gender pretty much ignores it to maintain some sort of false sense of manhood.

(2) Because men don’t know how people close to them will react to their interest in man skin care, they avoid asking for help. They don’t know what to look for when shopping for skin care products. So they read an article in Mens Health or see a tv commercial and that’s how they decide which product to use. This is terrible way to evaluate a skin care cream; it often leads to choosing a product that gives poor results. And that leads to men giving up on skincare.

So what should men do? Well, you can find an excellent man skin care product line on your own. No one has to know that you use skincare creams; it’s no one else’s business anyway.

You just need to focus on ingredients.

Learn about the natural substances that rejuvenate the skin and help re-grow collagen and elastin. Those are the two skin proteins that keep skin smooth, supple, and young-looking.

At my website, I discuss these powerful and effective male skin care ingredients.

Carol Truesdale
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-shocking-truth-about-male-skin-care-688711.html