Natural skin care products clean and nourish the skin without clogging the pores. Chemicals, dyes and other artificial ingredients in skin care and cosmetic products are irritating to the skin. Even worse, some are toxic and a few are known carcinogens. A few to avoid:

o Artificial fragrances: these are often listed only as fragrance on the label. They are irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin. Rashes, headaches or dizziness can result from artificial fragrances.
o Artificial colors: stay away from these and look for natural colorings. Artificial colors generally have a FD&C followed by the color and number. Some of these are carcinogenic and all are irritating to the skin.
o Diazolindinyl Urea is a preservative. This chemical is known to be toxic. Many people experience contact dermatitis from this and other chemical preservatives.
o Methyl Paraben and Propyl Paraben are preservatives that are used to extend the shelf life of a variety of beauty products. These very common chemicals are known to cause allergic reactions.
o Propylene Glycol is a synthetic vegetable glycerin that is known to cause allergic reactions in many people.
o Stearalkonium Chloride is found in skin creams and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Always read the labels on skin care and other beauty products. It can be difficult to decipher the labels, but gets easier over time. In general, the more chemical sounding ingredients you see on a label, the worse the product is for your skin. Look for natural ingredients in all your beauty products. Here are some good ingredients to look for:

Alfalfa extract is a natural cleanser. It contains vitamins A, B, C, D and E. You will often find it in skin cleansers and moisturizers.

Almond oil is high in fatty acids. This ingredient is excellent for dry skin. It soothes and moisturizes dry and sensitive skin.

Aloe soothes and hydrates the skin. It is used in skin and hair care products. Aloe is often used in products intended to relieve sunburn.

Ascorbic Acid contains vitamin C. This antioxidant is an excellent skin nutrient. It is often found in creams and moisturizers.

Biotin is a member of the vitamin B group. This ingredient is excellent for treating dry skin. Biotin is found in a variety of skin care products and is used in dandruff shampoos.

Carotene is an antioxidant that is often used in cosmetics and skin care products. It is derived from red and orange plants and vegetables.

Citric Acid comes from the extracts of all citrus fruits. It is effective for neutralizing the pH of the skin. Citric acid is used in a wide variety of skin and hair care products.

Elastin is a protein that is found in human skin. Elastin softens the skin and helps retain moisture.

Evening Primrose Oil is rich in fatty acids. It is excellent for nourishing dry skin.

Grape Seed Extract is a powerful antioxidant. This ingredient can be found in many cleansers and moisturizers.

Kaolin is white clay that is found in China. It is a main ingredient in porcelain. Kaolin is excellent for deep cleaning facial masks.

Kelp is also known as seaweed. It is rich in iodine and antioxidant vitamins. This ingredient is great for soothing and toning the skin.

Menthol has a soothing effect and is great for oily skin. It is often used in cleansers and astringents.

Mint is also good for oily skin. It is found in astringents and cleansers used for oily skin or acne treatment.

Mistletoe is a soothing ingredient that is often used for sensitive skin. This ingredient has a soothing affect on skin that has been irritated by other products.

Olive Oil Castile is a mild soap that is often used in facial cleansers. It is a rich emollient that works well on dry skin.

Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant. It is often used in natural facial masks. You can use finely ground oatmeal at home to soothe the skin and even out skin tone.

Papaya is great for sensitive skin. It is often used in natural cleansers, moisturizers and soothing facial masks.

Tea Tree Oil is a cleansing ingredient. It is also good for neutralizing the pH and is often found in both facial cleansers and moisturizers.

Zinc is a great ingredient for use as an acne treatment. This mineral is found in a variety of skin care products.

Using cosmetics and beauty products that contain natural ingredients is a great way to care for your skin. A variety of these ingredients are used in place of chemicals. Look for products that contain these ingredients and are made for your skin type. These are especially good to use after a chemical peel or other treatments for acne or wrinkles.

Estheticians Choice is a medical grade peel that is now available for home use. It is perfect for unclogging your pores after years of using chemically based skin care and make up products. It can be used to treat acne, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, skin discoloration and acne scarring. You will see the results immediately. For more information or to order Estheticians Choice visit www.bestskinpeel.com.