What is Natural Skin Care?

We're often told that we should use natural products to take care of our skin, but sometimes it's hard to tell what's natural and what's not. While the lists of ingredients in many 'natural' products include things we recognize as something found in nature, there is generally a much longer list of things we know had to be manufactured in a lab.

However, long before listing ingredients on packaging was required, some women had beautiful skin. How did they do it? Natural skin care - the old-fashioned way.

Here are some things you can try.

Cleansers: Most soaps are high alkaline (high pH) and cause dry skin. Coconut oil, palm oil, and sesame oil are safe and effective cleansers with a low pH. Seaweed is also a great addition. Its high mineral content stimulates circulation and eliminates toxins. It's not hard to get - many health food stores carry it.

Toners: Rose water for normal or dry skin, witch hazel for oily skin. These are also readily available. Your most economical choices can be found in your regular grocery store or pharmacy.

Moisturizers: This probably won't come as a surprise, but water is the answer to this one. Drink 6 - 8 glasses every day. And use a good shielding lotion to keep it in the body.

Masks: Even natural solutions, such as oatmeal and clay, tend to be too harsh and drying on the skin. However, a mixture of pumpkin, egg yolk and milk will soften the skin, unclog the pores, and remove impurities.

Eye Treatments: The skin around the eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face and needs special treatment. Soak cotton pads in chamomile tea or rose water and place them over your closed eyes for 15 minutes. Cucumber slices are good too.

Most skin problems today are caused by our toxic and harsh environment. A good shielding lotion protects the skin from outside irritants and chemicals and is a vital adjunct to your natural skin care routine.

Author, Gloria MacTaggert, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skincare for the National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit http://www.skincarenet.org

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