Vitamin D and Sun-light: Essentials for a healthy Life

For decades now, both Susan and I have been telling our patients, and anyone else who would listen, not to stay out of the sun, but to use the sun to help maintain their general health, avoid osteoporosis and auto-immune diseases. When used correctly there is little chance of causing skin cancer, but incorrect use of the Sun and therefore over-exposure to UV-rays can of course be dangerous. We've even published an article "Sunlight, Vitamin D and Your Skin" on this very topic.

Traditional naturopathic medicine has always used short-time, early morning (before 9am in Summer and 10am in Winter) exposure to the sun as part of any health regime to treat a range of diseases.

The following transcript, of a news story televised on Australia’s ABC, confirms what Natural therapists have been preaching for years; but now even the scientists confirm this – so, it must be right…(sorry about the sarcasm...)

Transcript from Catalyst: Vitamin D - ABC TV Science: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2514231.htm (12/03/2009)

Have we taken our fear of the sun too far? We’re told to keep out of the sun – so what are you to think when your doctor tells you that you’re not getting enough of it and as a result you now have a serious vitamin D deficiency? Dr Norman Swan soaks up some rays to find out what is really going on.

NARRATION:
The sun’s ultraviolet rays produce most of the vitamin D your body needs. But it’s a double edged sword – too much sun can cause skin cancer and too little can lead to vitamin D deficiency.

Sophie:
Our summers were spent basically down the beach but now of course life is different
because of John’s melanomas we’ve had to stay out of the sun and I guess that’s what’s led to the vitamin D deficiency.

Dr Norman Swan:
Sophie and John’s story isn’t unique there are lots of Australians with vitamin D levels that seem to be too low and that has enormous potential implications

NARRATION:
GP, Dr Larry Light, routinely tests his patients for their vitamin D levels.

Dr Larry Light:
Your vitamin D levels….

NARRATION:
And almost 80% of his patients over 60 are vitamin D deficient.

Dr Larry Light:
It's almost unusual to find someone over the age of 60 with normal Vitamin D levels.

Dr Norman Swan:
Dr Lights approach to people like Sophie and John could well be on the money low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increase risk of colon cancer schizophrenia diabetes multiple sclerosis falls and bone fractures not to mention heart disease. It all seems too amazing to be true but is it? And it’s all for something that’s not even a vitamin.

NARRATION:
It’s actually a chemical messenger – a hormone. Vitamin D is produced in your skin when it’s exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It then goes through a series of chemical processes in the liver and kidney where it’s converted to it’s active form – the hormone, calcitriol.

Prof. Rebecca Mason:
Now the most important thing that calcitriol does is help calcium and phosphate absorption from the environment into the body. Particularly important for strong bones and good muscle function. What we've found out though, that there are proteins that respond to Vitamin D in just about every cell in the body. And Vitamin D has effects in most tissues in the body.

NARRATION:
In recent years low vitamin D has been associated with the development of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes… but Dr Jenny Gunton and her colleagues have found a link with all types of diabetes.

Dr Jenny Gunton:
It looks like people with diabetes are more likely to be vitamin D deficient. It’s not clear why it covers all types of diabetes but we think that it plays an important role in the function of beta cells and they’re the cells that make all the insulin for your body. The beta cells don’t work as well if you don’t have enough vitamin D. We don't know whether or not you can use Vitamin D to treat diabetes but it's a question that we're starting to look at. We're certainly treating people who we find to be Vitamin D deficient and it looks like it's helping their diabetes.

NARRATION:
The real scientific test to see whether vitamin D is truly of benefit is to give it to people in a trial.. and a recent study is taking trials involving 57,000 people taking vitamin D supplements and what they showed was that supplementation was associated with a lower risk of dying of any cause.

Dr Jenny Gunton:
I think Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a public health issue. It's becoming incredibly common in people who are otherwise healthy.

Prof. Rebecca Mason:
The groups who are really at risk are the people who are older. People who have dark skin. The people who cover up. And anyone who's chronically ill.

Dr Jenny Gunton:
Normal levels for vitamin D are a controversial topic but its very clear if your levels are below 25 that it’s very bad for your bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis and breaking your bones; up to 50 which is the current cut off for normal you still have abnormalities in calcium handling in the body.

Dr Norman Swan:
So if you’ve got a low level of vitamin D what’s the best way to replace it? Sunlight’s pretty good, 90% of vitamin D is made by sunlight having an impact on your skin, but sunlight also causes skin cancer do we really need more sun?

NARRATION:
Rebecca Mason and her team have made some remarkable findings – getting your vitamin D levels from the sun can be safe and may also have a protective effect.

Prof. Rebecca Mason:
What we've shown is that Vitamin D compounds used topically both in human skin and in animals reduce UV induced DNA damage and in animals reduces the immuno suppression and the skin cancers. We think that this reflects a natural protection in the skin that Vitamin D is giving you.

NARRATION:
Some experts recommend exposing 15% of your body to the sun every day for six to eight minutes before 11am or after three pm; and double this time during winter, if you live in Tasmania, or if you have dark skin.

NARRATION:
How does this sit with the Cancer Council’s Slip Slop Slap campaign?

Professor Ian Olver:
It’s very important that the sun protection message during the summer remains and the vitamin D message can complement it for times when the sun is unlikely to burn you skin.

NARRATION:
But getting out into the sun at a particular hour of day for just the right length of time is not practical for everyone….

John Biggs:
I've had two melanomas and do my best to sort of keep out of the sun.

NARRATION:
So for people like John, supplements have their place. But what’s the recommended dose?

Prof. Rebecca Mason:
The only supplements that are generally available here are about a thousand international units and most of them are in the Vitamin D3 form. In the same form as we make in the skin. If you've actually got significant levels of Vitamin D deficiency. So most people now are recommending a loading dose of at least say five tablets a day for a couple of weeks and then going back onto the one thousand units a day.

Dr Light:
Your vitamin D levels have risen from the original 23 up to 82 nanomoles per litre. So taking those capsules, I think it was about four at night paid off.

NARRATION:
But what about diet? With only 10% of the vitamin D your body needs coming from food is it a realistic source?

Dr Jenny Gunton:
We don’t get enough vitamin D from the diet unless you take supplements in nearly all cases, because you only get it from oily fish or cod liver oil and I’ve never had cod liver oil but I’m told it tastes memorably awful.

NARRATION:
So if you just want the maintenance dose of vitamin D, you would have to eat the equivalent of one large fillet of oily fish, or one tablespoon of tasty cod liver oil every day.

Sophie:
I’ll be taking vitamin D now for the rest of my life one capsule a day just to make sure that my levels don’t drop and that I can get on with life

Dr Norman Swan:
So what are the main messages here - well a lot of us are low in vitamin D and we don’t even know it, you can have your levels checked but they’re expensive to do, for some of us just being out in the sun for a few extra minutes a day particularly if we’re exercising that’ll be good, 15% of your body uncovered, many people though are going to require supplements sometimes in quite significant doses so it’s probably a good idea to have a chat with your doctor first.

Story Contacts
Dr Jenny Gunton
j.gunton@garvan.org.au
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Prof Rebecca Mason
rebecca.mason@bosch.org.au
Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney

Boy, it's nice to be vindicated.

Dermatology, Skin Care, Skin Problems & a range of Hints & Tips

This library contains a directory of articles written by Danny and Susan Siegenthaler who together have over 40 years of experience in the field on natural medicine. Danny is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and his wife Susan is a medical herbalist who has taught hundreds of student in medical aromatherapy and herbal medicine.

These articles draw on their years of clinical experience and provide the reader with high quality information about natural skin care and related topics.

In addition there are several Universities and medical references worth bookmaking. Many of them are great sources of authoritative information.

University of Maryland Medical Center.
UMM provides a great deal of quality information on dermatology. The information if well researched, backed by references from scientific sources and is written in mostly non-medical terminology. They also have a large authoritative section of information on herbal medicine.

Articles on Skin Care, Skin Problems and Solutions
Over 100 articles on all aspects of skin care, natural skin care products, natural approaches to treatment of skin disorders and much more.

Information on natural and organic skin care is very confusing to say the least. While we all know that we should avoid synthetic or artificial ingredients in our food and drinks, we are less well informed on the ingredients in our beauty and personal care products.

Merck Manual - Skin Disorders
The Merck Manual is a searchable, online reference text, that provides expert medical information.

Sun Damaged Skin: Avoiding skin damage from the Sun
The incidence of skin cancer is still rising even though there are warnings on TV and other media on a regular basis. Outdoor activities are great; They provide exercise and enjoyment, however, while outdoors we need to make sure we avoid risking sun damage to our skin.

Your Skin Care Regime for Spring
Spring is the time to rejuvenate your skin by following some basic steps: exfoliating, cleansing, nourishing, toning and moisturising. But there is much more to healthy, vibrant skin than a daily skin care regime. The following article provides some practical hints and tips on caring for your skin and preparing it for Summer.

Are You Finding Information on Natural and Organic Skin Care Confusing?
Information on natural organic skin care is very confusing to say the least. While we all know that we should avoid synthetic or artificial ingredients in our food and drinks, we are less well informed on the ingredients in our beauty and personal care products.

Oily Skin - Why You May Have Oily Skin & What To Do About It
Often, oily skin is associated with acne, however, here we will focus on the classic oily skin type and look at the causes and solutions for oily skin.

Skin Care Advice: The Good, Bad & The Ugly
There is a plethora of information about what to do and what not to do when it comes to taking care of our skin. The media is full of reports and the cosmetic/beauty companies run full-page advertisements in popular magazines telling you how you should take care of your skin and the various treatments you should impose on your skin.

Nanotechnology in Sunscreens: Cancer Risk

In previous articles we looked at sunscreen factors (SPFs) and their possible health risks and we looked at the use of nanotechnology in the cosmetics industry. Today, scientists from the CSIRO have shown, under laboratory conditions, that nano particles of metal oxides (as used in sunscreen lotions) can penetrate cells and damage DNA.

Below is a transcript from the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) reporting on the potential cancer risk resulting from the use of nanotechnology in sunscreen lotions.

Safety concerns over high-tech sunscreens

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Broadcast: 17/12/2008

Reporter: Kirstin Murray

Nanotechnology has been a revolutionary science utilised to improve water supplies, screen for viruses and increase durability in food among its other uses. Nanoscience has also been used to produce products such as stain resistant clothing and is often found in cosmetic products such as anti-ageing creams and sunscreen. With this technology being so widely used, questions are being raised as to how safe nanotechnology is in products that are rubbed directly onto human skin.


HEATHER EWART, PRESENTER: The revolutionary science of nanotechnology, which engineers tiny particles the size of an atom, has transformed the world we live in. And within two years, it's expected to be a $1 trillion industry. Scientists have used the technology to improve water supplies, increase the durability of food, screen for viruses and create new forms of drug delivery. It's not surprising the cosmetics industry has seen the appeal, with nano particles now common ingredients of many anti-ageing creams, hair products and sunscreen.

But how safe is nanotechnology in products that are rubbed directly onto human skin?

Read the full article "Nanotechnology in Sunscreens, Noisturisers and Anti-Ageing Creams - a Cancer Risk" and find out the potential risks of using products containing these modified molecules.

It's not worth the risk. Use natural skin care products that do not contain modified, synthesised or manipulated ingredients in them

Following Bad Skin Care Advice can be Harmful to Your Health

Bad Skin Care Advice

There is a plethora of information about what to do and what not to do when it comes to taking care of our skin. The media is full of reports and the cosmetic/beauty companies run full-page advertisements in popular magazines telling you how you should take care of your skin and the various treatments you should impose on your skin.

Some of this skin care advice is good, useful information, however, there are things that we are being told is good for our skin that in reality is very bad.

For example, chemicals peels - these involve applying a chemical solution to the skin which causes it to “blister” and eventually peel off. The newly regenerated skin is usually, but not always, smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

However, by intent, new skin will grow following a peel. This skin is very fragile and vulnerable to complications. The newly formed skin requires protection from overexposure to the sun and those with a history of cold sores may develop a severe outbreak for which they may require antibiotic or antiviral medication.

Why would anyone want to peel-off healthy skin tissue? Using a gentle exfoliant to remove excess dead skin cells is one thing, but using harsh chemicals that burn your skin to the point of blistering is quite another.

Another example of bad skin care advice is the use of Botox injections or Botox-alternatives. Botox is a substance derived from botulinum toxin (A potent neurotoxin from the microorganism Clostridium botulinum) that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to be essentially paralyzed.

Think about this for just a moment… Remember the saying: “if you don’t use it you loose it”? Muscles if not used start to loose their tone within 24 hours – just look at the difference in muscle tone and strength after having a broken leg in plaster for 6 weeks or so, and you’ll see how much bulk, strength and tone the muscles of the broken leg have lost.

Logically then, by artificially paralyzing muscles, muscle tone, strength and volume will be lost and if Botox injections/creams continue to be used, ultimately the targeted muscle(s) will atrophy and eventually die. The long-term end results therefore, has to be more lines and wrinkles than before…what genius came up with that idea…

There are also the side effects to consider. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), lists the following side-effects:

• Droopy eyelids, which can last for a few weeks
• Feeling like you have the flu
• Headache and upset stomach
• Risk of botulism (a life or death illness that makes it hard for a person to move the arms and legs or to breathe) is low with Botox™, if used the right way.

Both manufacturers Botox™ and Botox Cosmetic™ warn on their labels of the possibility of adverse reactions near the site of the injection for each product's approved uses, and of "the rare potential of distant side effects'' including severe difficulty swallowing and breathing when the products are used on patients with neuromuscular disorders.

Hello! Even the manufacturers warn of serious potential problems, so why on earth would anyone want to risk subjecting themselves to what are potentially serious side effects.

Now we all know that the normal process of aging and sun damage are the most common causes of lines and wrinkles. WebMD.com states that: “Wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity will not respond to Botox, because it works only for wrinkles that are caused by the contraction of the underlying muscle”. So if most lines and wrinkles are due to natural aging and sun damage, what’s the point in using Botox?

What lies at the root of most lines and wrinkles is the loss of or damage to collagen and elastin fibres, which are the proteins responsible for the elasticity, tone and texture of the skin. Using natural skin care products that promote the production of collagen and elastin fibres will help your skin to retain a more youthful appearance for longer. Combine good quality skin care products with healthy food, at least two litres of water daily and some exercise, and your skin will be visibly healthier and look younger.

Don’t risk the health of your skin by taking bad skin care advice and using chemicals that have the potential to cause serious side effects or health problems. Use common sense when choosing what type of treatment you will subject your skin to and ask some probing questions.

You can access good skin care advice that is based on the philosophy of natural medicine and is written by qualified, experienced practitioners who have decades of experience in alternative medicine to inform yourself of the type of skin care that is safe and effective to use on your skin. Beauty is more than skin deep and there are many factors that contribute to healthy, beautiful skin.

Incey Wincey Spiders

No, it's not the nursery rhyme. It is about three annoying skin blemishes that may reveal more than you think.

• Spider nevi
• Spider angioma, and
• Thread veins

These little, annoying skin blemishes can tell you a lot more about what's going on with the health of your body than you might expect.


Spider nevi

Spider nevi are little skin flaws where small broken capillaries that look like a little red spider are visible on the skin's surface, usually on the face or abdomen. Often they occur on the cheeks, but can develop anywhere.

The way to tell if the blemish you may have on your skin is a Spider nevi, is to press lightly in the centre of it and if the 'legs' disappear, you have spider nevi (or spider angioma). These usually occur in people over 40 or folk with liver disease, but in themselves they are harmless. However, they can point to a health imbalance of some kind.

Spider nevi may also be due to a vitamin C deficiency, high blood pressure, and may also occur during pregnancy. The best way to treat them is to a) make sure you have no underlying problems that may be the cause of them, such as the problems listed above. If you do, then these health issues must be addressed first.

Natural Skin Care Systems for Your Skin Type

Wildcrafted's Rose Day Cream is ideal for dry, mature and blemished skin.

...more information

b) Use natural skin care products that contain Rose oil, which has incredible healing properties.

For example combine the Hydrating Cleanser, Milk of Roses Toner, Rose Day Cream and Age-Defying Essence to provide your skin with the perfect combination of ingredients to help heal the tiny blood vessels and restore proper circulation to the affected area.

Remember to implement a daily skin care regime of cleansing, toning and moisturising to obtain best results and finally, use a good exfoliant twice a week to keep stimmulating the skin's blood circulation and remove the dead skin cells.


Spider angioma

Spider nevi differ slightly to Spider angiomas (all though often considered the same in many medical reference books). Spider angiomas are an abnormal collection of blood vessels near the skin's surface and look very similar to spider nevi, except that spider angiomas have a raised red central dot with reddish 'legs' radiating out. Pressure on the central spot will cause the 'spider legs' to disappear. They are a type of benign tumour associated with pregnancy and in patients with liver disease.

Rapid development of numerous prominent spider angiomas may point to cirrhosis of the liver, malignant liver disease, and other liver dysfunctions. A common characteristic is an elevated blood estrogen level.


Thread veins

Spider nevi are not to be confused with Thread veins, which are a venous problem rather than a problem of broken capillaries. Okay, it's getting a bit medical... Veins transport deoxygenated blood via the liver to the heart and then to the lungs where the blood is oxygenated again.

Capillaries are where the arterial blood, through loss of oxygen, becomes venous blood and enters the veins. The veins that become visible at the surface of the skin are the thread veins and these thread veins point to underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease or liver disease. They are often precursors to varicose veins.

Now just because you have a single spider nevus or a spider angioma, doesn't mean you have a liver disease or that there is something wrong with your cardiovascular system, but if you have several of them or they are increasing in numbers, it might not be a bad idea to go and consult you health care professional - just in case.

The skin really is an incredible organ and is able to reflect many health problems to the trained eye. Taking good care of it is not a luxury - it's a necessity.

How These Chemicals Affect Your Skin

According to a recent interview with Stacy Malkan, the co-founder of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, young women use around 12 or more products a day and in doing so, are exposing themselves to hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals.

Depending on the products you use, you are exposing yourself to several carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and irritants. According to a study published by the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals are one of the most common causes of dermatitis and similar skin problems.

Here are some of the well known problem chemicals commonly use in skin and personal care products:

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and/or Ethyl Paraben

Used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of skin and personal care products. Parabens have been reported to have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrogenic and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Widely used even though they are potentially toxic.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, used as a preservative, is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapor is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes).


Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA)

DEA and TEA are often used in cosmetics and shampoos as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. DEA and TEA are "amines" (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. They are toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea

These are widely used preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has found them to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals contains a good antifungal agent, and they must be combined with other preservatives. Both these chemicals release formaldehyde, which can be toxic.

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate

A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos, bubble baths, hand and body wash products for its cleansing and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase "comes from coconuts." It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Avoid at all cost.

Methylisothiazoline (MIT)

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a biocide widely used in industrial and cosmetic products and has been shown to pose a potential risk to unborn babies. It is widely used in shampoos and there very well could be neuro-developmental consequences from Mit. It is of particularly concerned to women with occupational exposure to MIT during pregnancy as there is a possibility of risk to the foetus. Avoid at all cost.

Petrolatum

Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. Most Petro-chemicals are carcinogens and are to be avoided.

Propylene Glycol

Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware—these are related synthetics. The natural versions are fine and perfectly safe, not so their synthetic counter parts.

PVP/VA Copolymer

A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs of sensitive persons. Most Petro-chemicals are carcinogens.

Stearalkonium Chloride

A plant-derived ingredient, it reduces static electricity by neutralizing electrical charges on hair, and is a good conditioning agent. It is a quaternary ammonium compound also used in hair conditioners and creams. Developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, it is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which are beneficial to the hair. Causes allergic reactions. Potentially toxic.

Synthetic Colors

Used to make cosmetics "pretty," synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 3 / D&C Green No. 6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it.

Synthetic Fragrances

The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read "fragrance." Some problems caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation—the list goes on. Synthetic fragrances should be avoided. Be careful when looking at these because often the lable may say "fragrance of Lavender", or fragrance of "Rose" or similarly popular essential oils. Fragrance of = Synthetic, NOT the real essential oil.

You can check this for yourself by simply doing a search using the terms in bold in the list and adding the following MSDS. MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet, which are tests done on chemicals to establish their ‘safety’.


How do you avoid these dangerous chemicals?

Simple, switch to 100% pure natural skin care products and you will eliminate the risk of being exposed to these chemicals through your skin and personal care products.

The benefits are not just that you eliminate these dangerous chemicals, but using truly natural products that contain herbs, essential oils and other natural ingredients will benefit your overall health as well.

There are also other benefits. Formaldehyde, for example, is very harmful to our natural environment. By eliminating products that contain this, and other toxic chemical, you are indeed not just benefiting your own health but that of the environment as well.

So make the switch. Change over to using natural skin and personal care productsand you’ll not just benefit your health but help the environment as well.

What is it that Women really want from their skin care products?

Why is it often difficult to find the right skin care products?

So just why is it so hard to find good quality, safe, and effective skin care products? The answer is quite simple, it’s called marketing. Marketing is the problem here. Why, I hear you ask? What does Marketing have to do with the quality of skin care products?

Well, it’s because most highly visible skincare companies are trying to out-do each other by adding obscure ingredients to their products and then marketing them as if they were the latest and best ingredient to have in your skin care products.

We, the consumers, looking to find something that actually works, ‘fall’ for the slogans and are thus quickly parted with our money, only to find that the products we thought were going to be good quality, safe and effective do not live up to the promises and are probably not that safe either.

So how can you tell what’s good and what’s not?

There are basically two types of products on the market. One group is safe, the other is not. What do I mean by safe?

Safe skin care products are products that do not contain any potentially harmful ingredients what so ever. They do contain natural ingredients and these too are safe. Remember that not every thing that's natural is necessarily safe.

Not safe are many of the products that do contain highly manipulated chemicals that are synthetic or artificial and have been shown to cause potential health problems. Now, just because a chemical is not natural also does not mean it is therefore potentially toxic. There are man-made chemicals that are indeed safe to consume or use in personal care products, however, these are few and far between.

More often than not, highly processed plant material or synthetically made chemicals do have a tendency to cause problems. (If you want to read more about this topic, please see: These Articles)

Now just because a products is Safe, does not mean it is effective either. Many natural skin care products have safe ingredients, but are almost useless and at best not very effective. But they are a good place to start looking.

Natural Skin Care Products can be a Good Solution

Natural skin care products manufactured by small companies are a good place to start looking for good quality, safe and effective products. Why? Because companies like Wildcrafted Herbal Products, Elysian Dream, Clare Le Dor and others pride themselves on only using the purest, safest and most effective ingredients in their range of products.

Small boutique skin care companies do not have the marketing budgets of large companies and as a result, their products have to live up to their claims if these companies hope to be able to sell their products repeatedly to the same customers. You see, finding new customers all the time is much more expensive than providing the same satisfied customers with products over and over again.

Let’s face it; if you know a product works for you, you’re not likely to change the brand and try something different, are you? No, once you are happy with the results you are getting from a range of skincare products, you’re not very likely to change. In fact, you’ll probably go out of your way to locate the brand’s product you’ve become to like and trust, and are even happy to spend a little more money to get it.

Another reason why natural skin care products are preferable and more likely to give you the results you want, is because some of the companies that make these products are run by medical herbalists and Aromatherapist that have a sound knowledge and understanding of what ingredients are safe and effective. They make their batches in small numbers and this means you get a much fresher product when you buy it because it has not been sitting on shelves in warehouses and in containers on the wharfs. That in it self has to be a bonus.

Also take a close look at the ingredients list on the product label or the Product’s web site.
Check each of the ingredients and Google them, or you can have a look at this list of potentially toxic chemical ingredients commonly used in skin care products and their side-effects.
So when next you look at your skin care products, think about what the ingredients are. Are they safe? Are they actually doing what the manufacturer’s advertisement said they were going to do? Do they actually make your skin feel good?

These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself and if the answer is no, than it’s time to start looking for some good quality, safe and effective natural skin care products.