Why Natural Skin Care?

As the single largest organ in the human body, our skin protects us from
the elements, and when it’s healthy and glowing, it can make us look and
feel beautiful. The care of our skin is vitally important to our general
health, and it only stands to reason that the products we use in our daily
skin care regimens are worth some equally careful thought.

A certain percentage of ingredients in any product you apply to your skin
will be absorbed internally, which leaves your body susceptible to whatever
chemical element that may be included in the product’s formula. In
fact, experts agree that absorption through the skin is more dangerous
than eating through the mouth, since when eaten, substances pass
through the kidneys and the liver where any would-be toxins are filtered
and broken down and rendered harmless to your system. On the other
hand, a chemical or toxin absorbed through the skin can go directly into the blood steam. That’s why recent research shows that many ingredients including parabens, petrochemicals and phthalates are particularly problematic in skin care products; once absorbed, these ingredients can mimic the effects of body hormones, and many worry that a buildup of these chemicals can potentially lead to an increased risk of cancer. Other non-natural ingredients can also cause skin irritations such as hives and rashes, and are of special concern in the case of babies and small children, since their skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult's.

There is another added benefit to using natural skin care. Studies done on chemical ingredients are done on one product. How many of us actually use one product? Most women use an average of 13 products a day. If you think that's high, look at an average day for Desert Essence General Manager, Wendy Cockayne Lucas. She uses shower gel, body lotion, body or face scrub, shampoo, conditioner, styling product, face moisturizer, eye cream, foundation, powder, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, lipstick, lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, hand soap, and hand cream. That’s 22 products! Who has studied the effect of 22 chemical-filled products
over time?