Recognizing natural skin care is to know what these are not when compared to those referred to as non-natural skin care. Natural skin care is basically chemical-free, mineral oil-free and parabene-free products. In general belief natural skin care also refers to absence of substances of animal origin (meaning those originating from animals bones, skin or hormones, or anything that includes killing the animal before using the substance) though in theory this is incorrect cause whether coming from bovine or vegetal source, a substance can still be natural originating. Furthermore, natural skin care, in broad interpretation, does not contain any substance that are by any law or regulation added to a list of suspicious, partially allowed or forbidden substances as well as prohibited by non-governmental natural-certifying associations, apart from controversial essential oils that do fall under the title of “natural” but can be also extremely irritating, dirty and harmful. “Natural” product also these should not contain paraffinum, petrolatum, dioxane, sodium laureth or lauryl sulfate, parabens, some kinds of colorants, PEG (propylene glycol) and many others.

It is not legally prescribed what is and what is not natural, but nowadays many non-governmental associations exist that have agreed on internal regulations of ingredients considering some natural and some chemical/synthetic. Natural skin care is considered as no harmful effects to human body or environment, for the reason of from the very production of ingredients to a final products it stand up to standards of ecology, though this interpretation is basically wrong cause natural substances can also be toxic and dangerous.

An allergen works inside the body. It sets off a chemical chain reaction by the body’s immune system. This chain reaction releases chemicals, called histamines, from special cells in the body, called mast cells.

Unlike allergens, irritants do not trigger the body’s immune system. Irritation can be also over-reaction to aggressive or even active ingredients in the creams which settles after a while.

Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid , from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216) and butylparaben. Their efficacy as preservatives, low cost, the long history of use, and the inefficacy of some natural alternatives, are most probable factors of their wide use in cosmetics. They are, however, becoming increasingly controversial because traces of parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors. Parabens have also displayed the ability to slightly mimic estrogen (a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancer). Yet, no effective direct links between parabens and cancer have been established so far. Another concern is that the estrogen-mimic aspect of parabens may be a factor in the increasing prevalence of early puberty in girls.

Mineral oil is colorless, odorless, non-vegetable (mineral) sourced (crude) oil, particularly a distillate of petroleum. It is known by various names like white oil, liquid paraffin, and liquid petroleum, etc.

The World Health Organization classifies untreated or mildly treated mineral oils as Group 1 carcinogens to humans; highly refined oils are also on the list, in Group 3. However, use of mineral oil is approved in cosmetics. One of the common concerns regarding the use of mineral oil is its presence on several lists of comedogenic substances, yet this claim is not confirmed.

Oily skin is usually a thick type of skin that actually ages slower but looks really unattractive. It is the over-production of sebacus gland that is responsible for this occurrence. This can happen due to various reasons, but one of the misleading information is to treat oily skin with very hydrating or even oil-free creams and lotions. In a long run, this brings sebaceous gland to misinformation to produce even more oil in the skin. Every skin type, regardless of oily or dry or mixed, needs equal amount of oily nutrients as well as moisture and elements. Only then can skin be brought to its equilibrium.

TEWL or TWL is a kind of measurement to evaluate how much water does evaporate from our bodies. Our body supplies water to epidermis and as we age this water evaporate faster due to weaker collagen and elastin fibers and thus wrinkles are created. Water can be supplied to the skin also externally, by the means of cream or lotion, yet unless kept in the skin it will have little to no use at all, just as it is when taking a shower or a bath – skin feels dry afterwards.

There is no such thing as the best anti-age ingredient. Every skin is different and the best solution to approach aging is firstly prevention – starting to treat skin at an early age and secondly, blend of ingredients that contain plenty of anti-oxidants, nutrients like vitamins, proteins, fats and minerals and water. Still, it is said that best anti-age ingredient is happiness, but it cannot be applied topically.

Cellulite is actually a fancy name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath a person’s skin. It is a sort of very dense fat that actually remains untouched while the rest of us might have melted away. Because it is a fat “mixed” with connective tissue is reason of being unable to get rid of it. It looks lumpy as orange peel. This fat is very dense and not much blood can circulate in this tissue therefore it is essential to massage and squeeze this tissue to push the blood through it to reach the skin surface – then it will be easier to reduce it.

Natural substances, whether active or basic, are said to be better recognized by our body, better used and easier to metabolize. It is the same as with digestion – try eating a plastic bag or synthesized oil – it would be very hard to digest. The less processed in industrial way, the easier processed by our bodies! Still, natural originating substances can be toxic as well and to determine whether the skin care product is better when containing natural originating or non-natural originating substances would depend on the particular substance.