Would you eat your moisturizer? Probably not. Most commercial moisturizers are chock-full of chemicals that we would not even consider eating. But did you know that skin absorbs chemicals, too? Cancer-causing carcinogens are present in many of the lotions and potions we rub onto our skin every day, leaching into our bodies.

The average woman who uses 12 toiletries every day is putting more than 175 chemical compounds into her body. Organic, all-natural skin care companies are working to ensure that consumers have natural skin-care products, reducing the chemicals in our bodies and cutting down skin irritants. Read our guide to decoding organics and what it means for your health.

Why Organics?

Organic skin care reduces harmful chemicals absorbed by the skin. Skin is our largest organ and absorbs chemicals in skin-care products, clothes and the environment, so it pays to make sure that what we rub into our skin has the least amount of chemicals as possible.

Organic skin-care and cosmetics work on the same principle as organic farming: to restore balance in nature and reduce as many chemicals and pesticides as possible. To be certified USDA organic products must meet national standards in farming practice.

Cut out Chemicals

Sometimes a product might seem to be organic or all-natural, but a closer inspection of the ingredients can reveal nasty chemicals. Steer clear of anything with the following ingredients:

• Petro-chemicals
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
• Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
• Alcohol, Isopropyl
• Propylene Glycol
• Fragrance

All of these ingredients are chemical substances. Some are used in petrol, brake fluid and anti-freeze and can be used to strip the skin of its natural resilience. For more information go to ChemicalSafeSkinCare.co.uk.

Cool Certified Products

For organic, home-made skin care, try enfasis natural body care. Developed in Australia by Mariella Edgar in response to the lack of natural, soothing creams for her eczema-suffering children, enfasis products are all home-made. Their ingredients read like a revitalizing juice recipe:  spirulina, chamomile, green tea, almond oil, the list goes on! Forget about stinging skin after shaving, enfasis products soothe sensitive skin! Enfasis make an all-over body moisturizer, face moisturizer and night cream.

Origins Organics, full-scale beauty line made for the mass market, is certified organic. They make face washes and moisturizers, lip-balms, hair oil, soap and body oil that are certified organic and low on chemicals. Origins Organics has set a bench-mark in the beauty industry because they are making organic beauty products on an international scale.

Cook It Up Yourself

For the best, most natural body products why not make your own? Using ingredients from your own kitchen will enable you to control exactly what goes into your beauty products and what goes into your body. Oatmeal scrubs, cucumber slices and avocado face-masks could be the start of something wonderful! Go to SkinCareRescourceCenter.com for recipes.

Using Organics on the Road

The next time you’re heading out for a rainforest hike full of flying unfriendly insects or catching waves with the sun beating down think twice about what you’re using  to protect yourself from the elements. Try shopping organically when buying sunscreen and insect repellent. They can be the worst chemical offenders!

- Sunscreen

The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to stay in the shade and cover your skin! But if you absolutely must laze up the rays on your beach vacation, try some of these:

Lavera.co.uk

DrHauschka.com
Dr Hauschka has a range of sunscreens with SPF15-30

- Insect Repellent

Mosquito bites can ruin a summer night and even be lethal in some parts of the world. However, most powerful insect repellents contain DEET, a cancer-causing chemical.

For a natural mosquito repellent at home, plant some Thai Lemongrass. The plant itself will keep mosquitoes away, and if you break off the stalk and rub the fibrous pulp onto skin it will repel bugs for four to five hours.

Another great repellent is Nature’s Child, a certified organic mosquito repellent that is safe for babies and children, too!

For other brands check out DowntoEarthOrganics.com.

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Gemma Considine