Science has come a long way in skin care products. Cosmetic and beauty research is an intriguing arena because so much folkloric knowledge is relevant. The results can make it difficult to determine just what works and does not work. The best skin care products use science, technology, testing and conventional wisdom to make effective products. However, many unscrupulous skin care creators will simply take advantage of one’s willingness to believe that a product should work because it has a good name or says that it is “natural” on the label. In reality, a lot of “natural” skin care products are anything but. In fact, some of these products can actually cause serious and chronic skin problems. Here are some things you need to look for that can create big problems when it comes to your skin care routine:
* First check for concentrations - Some products can include high concentrations of natural compounds that are not really good for you. For example, high concentrations of bismuth are not good in any type of makeup. Bismuth is a mineral which is arguably natural. But, it must undergo lots of chemical processing to achieve a cosmetic form. This processing can cause allergic reactions in many people.
* Watch for artificial colors - Heavily dyed products often contain lots of artificial colors. Plus they may need extra chemicals to maintain the color and the freshness of the skin care products. Many people think artificial colors and fragrances are the same. In reality, however, artificial fragrances are much less of an issue because they often originate from natural extracts and then chemically processed. They come in low concentrations and are often not major allergens. (Of course there are always exceptions to this.) Bright blues and yellows, however, usually indicate serious levels of preservatives and chemical dyes.
* Examine the size of your mineral makeup powder - If your mineral makeup boasts that it has microscopic particles, back off. Mineral makeup may be great for your skin, but it is not necessarily ideal inside. Microscopic particles (nanoparticles) may be soaked up by your skin. This may result in allergic reactions. Also, mineral makeup is not tested for the effects of epidermal absorption. As a result, there is not a lot of information about the long term effects of this type of unintended absorption. Mineral makeup with regular sized particles cannot be absorbed like this.
Skin care products come in many shapes and sizes. Everyone has personal favorites. This should not cloud your judgment about the quality of your skin care products. Make sure that your skin care product regimen is truly the best for you and always keep an eye out for the fakes.