Nutrients applied to the skin that improve the skin's health may have a positive effect on the whole body, because they are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.

When we choose body-friendly skin care, two important criteria come into play: that the products not be toxic to our skin or our bodies, and that they not be occlusive-allowing nutrients in and toxins out.5[5] The bonus comes when the ingredients that are allowed in also bring the skin into balance and nourish it. This is the topic of Part III of our series of articles: What Nutrients and Ingredients are Important for Healthy Skin? (late September 2005). Here we address ingredients common to "natural" skin care that may be occlusive and/or comedogenic. Look up "occlusivity" on the web and you will find hundreds of references to occlusivity and its benefits. The reason companies tout the benefits of occlusivity is that it holds water in the skin. When water can't escape, the skin stays soft and moist, and that sounds like a good thing. Imagine wrapping your skin with plastic wrap and wearing it around all day-an extreme example of occlusivity. Pretty soon it would start to stink in there as the toxins that usually escape with perspiration and generally evaporate into the air get trapped between the skin and the plastic. 

Now imagine that those same toxins can't leave the Bella Gold Serum bloodstream because the skin's normal respiration is blocked. Where will they go? In some cases, they fester under the skin and form deep-down blemishes; in extreme cases, where occlusive lotions are used all over the body for extended periods, they may deposit in the liver and add to the body's toxic load. Sometimes it may be beneficial to use occlusive salves for a limited time. If you want to climb Mt. Everest, for example, or ski at high altitude where the air is thin and dry and you are close to the sun, it's a good idea to wear a lotion that holds the water in the skin. For babies with diaper rash, it's good to use a salve that keeps the water away from the skin! For most of us, these are not constant conditions, and treatments that hold water in over time are undesirable. Standard cosmetics experts may disagree with this reasoning. Paula Begoun in Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (5th ed., 2001) states: "According to many 'natural' cosmetics companies, mineral oil (and petrolatum) comes from crude oil (petroleum), is used in industry as a metal-cutting fluid, and therefore can harm the skin by forming an oil film and suffocating it. . . . This foolish, recurring misinformation about mineral oil and petrolatum is maddening. After all, crude oil is as natural as any other earth-derived substance. . . Mineral oil and petrolatum . . . can keep air off the skin to some extent, but . . . it doesn't suffocate the skin!" (pp. 11-13). She also states that antiperspirants "cannot absorb into the skin . . ."  

I maintain that anything rubbed onto the skin will be absorbed, as long as the molecules are small enough to pass through the skin membrane; this is how patches work to deliver medication. Although Begoun makes a good point that crude oil is "natural," I believe in making educated choices of which earth-derived substances we apply to the skin, and crude oil is not on my list. It should be noted that there are degrees of occlusivity: If an ingredient is occlusive when used by itself, it will be less so when used in combination with non-occlusive ingredients. A small amount of beeswax used to emulsify jojoba and water will be far less occlusive than rubbing beeswax alone onto the skin. With that in mind, besides mineral oil and petrolatum, here are some of the more common occlusive ingredients found in "natural" skin care: You're never too young to be concerned about the environment and other ecological issues. At a time when most young women are beginning to use skin care products and cosmetics, many companies are competing for their purchases. Many teenagers simply follow the mainstream and begin using products that are readily available and widely advertised. But others have chosen a different road: ethical skin care products. What is Ethical Skin Care? In general, companies who produce products using ingredients from only natural and sustainable sources can be thought of as producing ethical products. 

Another facet of ethical products involves not testing on animals. Packaging is important, too. Glass is a preferred packaging material as is recycled and recyclable plastic. The ingredients used in ethical products are generally certified organic, meaning that they are free from pollutants like pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In an era when irradiated and genetically modified ingredients are common, ethical products eschew these in favor of choices that are more natural. With no animal products, alcohol or chemicals or synthetics, ethical cosmetics and skin creams are less likely irritate the even the most sensitive skin. Ethical Skin Products for Teens Teenagers have special skin problems. Their skin is changeable and many suffer from oily skin and skin conditions like skin acne. Skin care lines like Face Boutique have completely rethought skin care and designed effective products that address acne and other skin problems. For example, some products contain prebiotics. Prebiotics help promote the growth of "good" bacteria and are thought to have a beneficial effect on some skin conditions. This makes them good candidates for use in natural skin care products for teenagers whose skin is often clogged and distressed. What's Not in Ethical Skin Products Ethical skin products generally do not contain petroleum products, parabens, sulfates or phthalates. Petroleum products like mineral oil clog the skin. Parabens are artificial preservatives. Sulfates are salts of sulphuric acid that can dry the skin. Phthalates are petroleum products that are used to make plastics like PVC. 

Finally, ethical skin treatment products do not contain GMOs. GMO stands for "genetically modified organism," a substance who's very DNA has be altered by scientific means. People in the UK and other parts of the world need to realize that natural skin care products are not the cure all for skin problems. Basically, it is really hard to locate a natural skin care product which is 100% natural due to synthetic preservatives. These products which contain natural preservatives are all very expensive. Furthermore, these types of products last a shorter time on the store shelves and are a deterrent to those manufacturer them. Remember that natural skin care solutions can be just as dangerous to the skin as the synthetic product. Natural skin care product choices should always be determined by three factors: • The type of skin being treated whether it is normal, oily, dry, or sensitive. • The way in which the product is applied (must be used properly). • The climate in which the product is being used, for instance, an oil-free product should be used in hot and humid climates. You can also use a recipe for the skin care treatments and make one for yourself using organic fresh vegetable and fruits. You can find these recipes in book stores. You can buy natural skin care cosmetics from Dr Hauschka natural cosmetics, to use on your skin; they are completely organic and natural. They are formulated to work gently with every skin type including people with sensitive skin. For UK residents who are looking to obtain these products, Dr. Hauschka can help you in achieving well balanced skin. This company offers cosmetics, body care, bath care, hair care, and more. 

Bon Sante is a wholesale skin care company whose formulas are among the very best natural beauty care products made today. Organic fruits and vegetables are used along with very good minerals, oils, and extracts. They have no cruelty or negative economic issues. In addition, their products do not contain added chemicals, or any high costing filler such as artificial dyes, petroleum, or other ingredients of the type. When you do begin to use these products don't ignore other essential factors concerning your skin care. Don't partake of oily foods, or participate in other unhealthy eating habits, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. Treating skin properly is something that everyone should be concerned with. You should be aware that proper skin care can also reap benefits that go beyond beautiful-looking skin. There are a number of ways to perform regular skin maintenance. Yet natural skin care has emerged as a way to avoid perfumes and other chemicals that supposedly treat the skin, but potentially can harm it. In the UK, the best natural skin care methods can involve some unorthodox measures - but primarily is easy to accomplish if you're dedicated to better skin and better overall health.