The simpler your skincare regime, the better. Conventional skin creams and lotions can contain mixtures of 20 or more synthetic ingredients, many of which are of no direct benefit to your skin. Instead, they are necessary to hold mixtures of incompatible ingredients, such as oil and water, together and to extend the product’s shelf life.

When you buy a conventional skin care product you are buying a quick fix, something that may well produce a fast, temporary result – for instance, visible results in an hour – but which doesn’t do anything to improve your skin in the long term.

Organic products tend to be much more straightforward mixtures that work in a different way. The organic plant-based ingredients tend to have higher levels of naturally occurring vitamins and trace elements of essential fatty acids – all the things that your skin needs to nourish and protect it.

As an alternative to mineral oil-based products, which are derived from petroleum, why not consider using simple, natural plant- or animal-based oils to maintain your skin’s natural moisture balance? Many of these oils, such as jojoba and emu, are amazingly similar to the oils in human skin and as such are non-irritating, won’t clog pores and are deeply nourishing. Better still, they do the same job at a fraction of the price of commercial brands, and you’ll have the advantage of knowing what you are using on your skin.

Choose Organic Products

If you still prefer to buy your skincare products, make sure that they are organic. Encourage your local shops to sell safer products and read and learn to understand the label. Avoid any skin products that contain these ingredients:

·    Butylparaben (and other parabens)
·    Parafinnum liquidum
·    Cyclomethicone
·    Parfum

Beneficial Oils For Your Skin

Apply a small amount of your chosen oil with damp hands, or after bathing, to keep your skin soft and protected.

For younger skin:

Apricot kernel oil
Coconut oil
Hemp seed oil
Wheat germ oil

For more mature skin:

Avocado oil
Evening primrose oil
Rosa mosqueta oil

For any skin type:

Almond oil
Cocoa butter
Emu oil
Jojoba
Squalene

Here’s a Great, Simple Home-made Scrub:

Make a simple exfoliating scrub for your body or face by mixing a natural oil (olive oil is a good choice) with honey and sugar. If you have sensitive skin, use ground oatmeal instead of sugar for a gentler exfoliating action. Don’t use exfoliating products too often: once a week is enough.