How to Choose a Natural Beauty Product

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Beauty products are comprised of a variety of substances, both naturally produced and artificially created ones. Cosmetics have different purposes too. Those designed specifically for the skin and personal care are used to either cleanse, repair, protect, or moisturize the skin or body.

Examples of the substances included in many beauty products, even cleansing and moisturizing cleansers, are glycerin, mineral oil, alcohols, chamomile, aloe vera, and dyes. These are just a few of the many ingredients that go into making personal care items. Other substances used in cosmetics and personal care items are fragrance, preservatives, colors, dyes, preservatives, and fillers. A full list of ingredients would probably go on forever, but some ingredients you may be familiar with include parabens, triclosans, artificial fragrance, and a host of others.

When choosing a beauty product, there are some steps you can take to ensure you are purchasing a safe product. First, read the ingredient label of any cosmetic or personal care item. Look for words such as “fragrance”, “antioxidants”, and “sensitizing”. This information is readily available on the internet and in product packaging. Next, contact the manufacturer of any products you are considering, and ask questions regarding any ingredient you are concerned about.

If you are still unsure about a particular ingredient, do a little research. If you like the fragrance of a shampoo, then chances are the product contains that particular fragrance. In addition, you may find that a certain perfume smells great in the bottle, but when you spray it on your body it is irritating. Another example: some fragrances are best left on the hair, and others should be applied to clothing. Knowing which products contain which ingredients will help you make an educated decision regarding which fragrances you purchase.

Finally, remember that the price of a product does not necessarily indicate how high quality it is. Many popular and expensive brands offer excellent quality products at a reasonable price. What you decide to do with your money is up to you, but remember that you can have a lot of fun shopping at discount beauty stores and online. Just because you have to spend a little extra doesn’t mean you have to skimp on personal-care products.

As a final note, many personal care products contain known carcinogens, which have been deemed to be a potential cause of cancer. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows companies to state that their products are free of known carcinogens, these carcinogens have been proven to be present in the tissue of people who regularly use personal-care products with carcinogenic ingredients. These carcinogens include: benzene, which is found in most paints; dioxane, found in certain fabric and dyes; trichloroacetic acid, which is used in disinfectants; and Methylparaben, which has been found in over 90% of facial moisturizers. Although long-term exposure to any of these known carcinogens may not cause cancer, they can increase the risk of developing some cancers, particularly breast and colorectal cancer. If you or someone you know may be at risk for cancer, it is best to refrain from using personal-care products containing these ingredients.