Even Linda Collinson of LaCrista, an online natural skincare company agrees there are plenty of natural skincare claims that "are a lot of bunk."
A self-taught chemist who started her company because she was allergic to everything says, "Plain and simple is often better.
"Look at the top of the ingredient list because they are ranked in order of volume," says Collinson. Be sure the best ingredients are on the top of the list.
Keep the list, which is usually on the box you throw away, so if a product irritates you will know what was in it.
Cosmetics in the Kitchen
Some of Collinson's favorite all-natural skincare regimes are in your kitchen, such as her oatmeal scrub.
Put oatmeal into a coffee grinder and then add powdered milk. Keep a jar of this dry mix in your shower for sloughing off dead skin cells while you shower. It's very soothing," Collinson says.
"Lemons can bleach age spots," she adds, "and yogurt with salt is a great scrub for oily skin."
Many women don't realize how irritated their skin is with synthetic, artificial chemicals until they make the switch to natural lines. "Women get used to dry, broken out, scaly, tight, itchy, blotchy skin when it is not normal. It should have a glow, some color," warns Collinson who uses no foundation at all.
"You should switch 100% if you want to go with all-natural products," she says, so your skin goes through its two-week adjustment just once.
"If you think your skin is sensitive, avoid fragrances, alcohol, FD&C colors, mineral oil and formaldehyde," she warns. "Mineral oil is everywhere and the more you use, the drier your skin will get.
Natural Products Scutinized
"Be an educated consumer because price has nothing to do with quality," Collison says. Know that "all-natural" products have gone through more rigorous regulations to make the claim than products that say "natural."
It took 10 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to finalize its rules on organic products. Products labeled as "made with organic ingredients" must have at least 70 percent organic ingredients. With this percentage, the U.S. rules are now in line with those of Europe.
