Natural Abuse in Skin Care
Marketing executives in the skin care industry have done a thorough job of overusing and abusing the word “natural”, rendering it virtually meaningless or even suspect.
When I pick up a product that has “natural” written on the label, I immediately ask myself, “what is the manufacturer trying to hide”? Sure enough when I read the ingredients in small print I see a product full of chemicals and overly processed substances, which have nothing to do with health or natural.
So, why all the hype and not enough substance? Money, simply put. Most manufacturers and chemical companies have opted to spend millions developing cheap derivatives because it saves them money in the long run. They can then spend more money on slick advertising campaigns designed to convince us we need their product.
It's a sorry business but we no longer have to buy into it. As we become more knowledgeable and conscious consumers we realize the need to approach skin care with the same diligence and care we take in selecting the foods we eat. After all, the skin is our largest organ and the gateway into the body. What we put on our skin does find its way into the blood stream and inner organs.
As a vital skin care consultant and manufacturer of skin care products, I have established a set of criteria for what determines a truly natural product.
1.QUALITY AND INTEGRITY OF INGREDIENTS
This would exclude overly processed derivatives and undesirable or toxic preservatives. A good example of these is propylene glycol, found mostly in mass-marketed synthetic skin care products and perfumes. Usually a petroleum derivative, propylene glycol is a major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid. Material safety data sheets on propylene glycol warn to avoid skin contact as it is a systemic and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
A commonly used preservative in the chemical and “natural” skin care industry is the group of parabens: methyl, propyl, butyl, etc... These esters are benzoic acid derivatives and are mostly found in half natural skin and hair products. These are toxic chemicals with acute oral toxicity.
Even with a concentration of parabens, products have been found to contain microorganisms, although they may appear to be bacteria free. Parabens can cause dermatitis.
2. SOURCE OF ORIGIN
Substances that come from nature via plant, animal or mineral sources.
3. METHODS OF GROWTH, HARVESTING AND PROCESSING
Plants which are grown bio-dynamically, organically, or wild crafted. Plants which are grown with chemical sprays and fertilizers are not desirable for skin care and are not appropriate in a natural product.
4. NATURAL PROCESSING
The processing of vital ingredients must be as directed and pure as possible: steam distilled, cold or very low heat extractions into natural carriers such as grain alcohol, distilled water or plant oils. The prevalent practice of breaking down substances beyond their original vital state into a lifeless derivative is not a natural process or a desirable one for the skin or body.
5. A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HUMAN HEALTH AND SKIN CARE
Within the nature of correspondences, the human organism finds its link between the outer cosmic forces of the sun, planets and stars and its more immediate earthly environment – the nature forces of plants, animals and minerals. As above, so below; macrocosm, microcosm. These are concepts embraced within a holistic context. The nature and function of the skin takes on new meaning when perceived as an organ of expression, a focal point between our inner and outer worlds.
Choosing vital substances which best support, stimulate and harmonize with the natural functions of the skin is what distinguishes a truly natural, quality product with integrity from the many “naturally” inferior varieties.
In Health & Pleasure,
Cherylyn Van Kirk; Founder & CEO
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