Are Natural Skin Care Products Really Natural?

To answer this question one has to understand what the term "natural" implies. Natural implies that the skin care product contains ingredients extracted from plants, earth, sea or animals. Examples would be essential oils extracted from botanicals, minerals such as mica, and zinc oxide which are found in mineral makeup, marine ingredients such as seaweed, or sea salt, or oils and other animal byproducts such as Emu oil which is made from the fat of an Emu bird.

Unfortunately, the term" natural" is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and thus the term "natural" is often used very loosely in labeling and extensively in marketing ploys by the skin care industry. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not define the term natural or organic. In fact the USFDA does not approve cosmetics before going to the market. The responsibility of the safety of the cosmetic lies with the manufacturer. Except for color additives and those ingredients which are prohibited or restricted by regulation, the manufacturer may use any ingredient in a cosmetic provided that they are safe and properly labeled and can coin numerous terms when marketing the cosmetic that may or may not be true. You can read more about the regulation of cosmetics at the Food and Drug Administration website.

If you are considering purchasing natural skin care products consider these tips:

Read the label - many skin care companies use the term "Natural" when in reality many products contain less than 1% of a natural ingredient such as aloe Vera, or other essential oils as an example. The most prevalent ingredient will be listed at the top of the ingredient list and the least amount of an ingredient will be listed at the bottom. Therefore if you are buying an aloe Vera gel and aloe Vera is not listed at the top of the ingredient list, you are more than likely buying a gel containing an enormous amount of synthetic ingredients versus the natural ingredient of aloe Vera.

Question the product - Is there scientific proof or clinical testing that can substantiate the product claims? Are you paying more because the product is labeled natural? Is it really natural?

For those with sensitive skin it is best to avoid skin care product with fragrances, alcohol, FD and C colors, mineral oil and formaldehyde, however, mineral oil is in almost all skin care products and the more you use it the drier your skin becomes. Unfortunately many women continue to have irritated, dry, scaly, itchy or blotchy skin and jump from one chemical cosmetic to another trying to find the cure.

In short, always read the label on your skin care products and do skin patches test to avoid topical dermatitis or an allergic reaction. Of all the chemicals used in cosmetics, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has reported that nearly 900 are toxic - although other groups attack that figure as being far too conservative. Again, understanding the ingredients in your skin care products will provide a great advantage when shopping for a new lotion or cream.

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Got the dry, itchy, winter skin care blues?

If you are like me, the winter season dries out my skin horribly. It's not just my face that seems to dry out, my legs become dry and flaky and get really itchy. This unusually dry skin is a result of oil glands producing less oil due to the colder temperatures. Another factor is low humidity in the home and outdoors. There is no moisture available for your skin to absorb. These combined factors of less humidity and less oil production in the skin makes for dreadful dry, itchy skin.

It is not a problem figuring out what your skin needs - it needs moisture and extreme hydration to relieve the dryness and itchiness. The problem is finding a product that really hydrates and soothes the skin.

From my experience lotions loaded with fragrances seemed to do more harm than good. They actually made my legs itch more! I have tried Eucerin which worked for me as it does not contain fragrances which are known irritants for dry and/or sensitive skin and it seemed to lock in moisture. Get three bottles of Eucerin for only $10.75!

Additionally, I have tried various homemade treatments which have worked well and relived the dryness and itchiness on my legs.

Below are just a few of some natural ingredients that will relieve dry skin and they are easy on the environment too!

Almond oil, Olive oil or Vitamin E - oils have more staying power than lotions and really lock in the moisture. Apply to skin right out of the shower then pat dry.

Safflower oil - A reader had posted this recommendation on another dry skin article and said it worked really well for her.

For superb moisturizing bath oil, add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil such as almond or safflower. Shake bottle thoroughly. For instance you can add lavender essential oil or a lavender and rosemary blend. However, I feel that a note of caution is due here - when working with essential oils - know their properties as they are potent. For instance rosemary has stimulating effects and should not be used by pregnant women as an example. Be sure you understand the properties of essential oils before using them in any skin care products.

Get essential oils at:







Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Innovative Lipstick in the 21st Century

Whether you like your lipstick in bold colors such as bright reds, soft colors such as light pinks, or earth tones such as browns; lipstick can only your enhance your overall look. Additionally lipstick adds color to the face and compliments the rest of your makeup and complexion.

However, the problem with lipstick though is its inability to last all day. Whether it is a drug store brand or a high end lipstick, it never seems to last. Lipstick needs to be reapplied throughout the day. Another downside with traditional lipstick is that it can be messy; it ends up on clothing, bleeds onto teeth and even ends up on the cheeks and lips of people you love.

The time had come to reinvent lipstick and SeneGence did just that. A new product hit the market called LipSense. LipSense is a non-conventional lip stain. It is a revolutionary breakthrough in lipstick. It will not fade, wear off, leave marks on the clothes, teeth or on the cheeks and lips of the people you love. Furthermore, because it lasts all day, it moisturizers and protects the lips so that dry chapped lips are a thing of the past.

Another advantage of this innovative lipstick is that you can create your own colors and texture. You can select and combine shades and choose to make them shiny or frosty or rich and solid. How many traditional lipsticks do will do that?

Have you tried this innovative new lipstick? I would love to hear your reviews!

Great prices on Lipsense 50% off, makes a great stocking stuffer!

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Is There Such a Thing as Fashion Etiquette?

Fashion etiquette was ingrained in me at a young age. My family was not rich by any means but there were principles of fashion that I was taught. Below are just a few of the fashion insights I had while growing up.

1: Never wear white in winter. Although a winter white is appropriate. What this actually means is that you are not going to wear white slacks made from a lightweight material. A winter white would be slacks made from a heavier material. It is really not the color it is the fabric that mattered.

2: Never wear high heels with cropped pants - Cropped pants are considered casual wear and the fashion etiquette rule was never mix casual clothing with dress shoes. During the fifties a woman wearing high heels and Capri or cropped pants had a definite "naughty girl" association with it. Today women in heels with cropped pants look pretty good. Wider leg crop pants look refined with bulky shoes and a skinny leg cropped pant look more flattering with a pointy toe or wedge sandal which elongates the legs.

3: Your Skirt Should never be longer than you coat - This came about in the 1920's when knee length hemlines finally made the scene. I still practice this rule, but according to the experts it's ok as long as your skirt and coat shape and length are streamlined in appearance.

4: Purse, Shoes and Belt should always match - how boring! I sure do not follow this fashion rule anymore. Combining different textures and colors that compliment each other creates a far more interesting look. And, who could afford or have the patience change her purse every time she changed her shoes.

My fashion pet peeves:

1: Just because you do not like a particular piece of clothing in the store, keep it to yourself; the person in front of you may be buying it.
2: Dressing for comfort doesn't have to mean letting it all hang out. Other people may not want to see it.
3: If the outfit doesn't fit, don't wear it. Put it back in the closet or give it to someone it will fit.
4: Where holiday clothing appropriately and know when to put it away.
5: Wear appropriate clothes for the weather. Also called dressing for the season.
6: When complimented on your outfit, just say "thank you"

Fortunately fashion rules have come along way since I was growing up and I am glad for that. Fashion is more of "if it makes you feel good - wear it" and that to me is what fashion is all about.

What fashion etiquette do you follow? Do you have fashion pet peeves? I would love to hear them!

Interested in skin care recipes, easy, inexpensive and so beneficial to the skin, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


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I do hope you will read my other posts and offer your comments and opinions.