Organic Face Cream

Why Choose Organic Face Cream?

Cosmetics are one area in which a dizzying array of chemicals are used in the hope of plumping, smoothing, lightening and moisturizing the skin. The trouble is, a lot of those chemicals aren't well regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

No one really knows if some of the chemicals that are used in cosmetics and skin care products are actually safe to be applied to the skin. In fact, the FDA says that virtually any ingredient or additive can be used in cosmetics without government review or approval. Unless there's proof that a chemical isn't safe, it's fine to use it in conventionally produced skin care products.

Choosing organic face cream is one way to get around the toxic soup of conventional beauty products. Organic products, from shampoo to soap, are certified to be made with all natural products that are free of manmade chemicals. Odds are you're getting a much safer product choosing organic over a conventional face cream.

Buying Organic Creams

If you'd like to try organic face cream yourself, odds are good you'll be able to find at least one choice at your favorite drugstore or makeup shop. Some lines of organic products have even trickled down to discount stores, so your options are pretty open.

Here are some products you might want to consider:

• Burt's Bees is available all over the country and is very open about how natural or organic its products are. For example, its Beeswax Moisturizing Night Cream is listed as 98.71 percent natural. If that's not natural enough for you, shop elsewhere.
• Yves Rocher is another company known for its natural and organic skin care products. The company uses organic botanicals in most of its products, but few are actually 100 percent organic.
• Land of Milk and Honey has an face cream made with organic goat milk and emu oil, among other products meant to moisturize and calm the skin. The company is a member of the Organic Trade Association.
• Beeswork uses certified organic and wildcrafted ingredients in its face creams, cleansers and other products for the body and home.
• The British company Earthbound Organics has a face cream, cleansers, moisturizers and products for men and baby, made of organic products in small batches in Wales.
• Origins Organics has face wash, face lotion, body bars and other products ranging in organic content form 73 to 98 percent.

What Does Organic Mean?

When you're talking about cosmetics and products you use on your body, the definition of organic is slightly different than when you're talking about food. Organic cosmetics and body products can be called certified organic as long as they have 95 percent or more organic ingredients.

These products have the same seal as 100 percent organic products, so it pays to be a smart consumer if you're really interested in finding completely organic products. While some companies like Burt's Bees and Origins let you know how much of their products are natural or organic, others leave you in the dark.

If you really want to know what's in a product, you'll need to read the label or the ingredients list on the product's website. If you find anything that's not labeled organic or if any of the ingredients raise a red flag for you, contact the company's customer service and ask whatever questions you need to in order to make you feel comfortable about the product.

We all want our faces to look good for as long as possible, and a big part of that is choosing the right skin care products. Do your homework and you're sure to find products that are as great for your skin as they are for the environment.

Additional LoveToKnow Resources

For more great tips on keeping your skin in top condition, visit LoveToKnow Skin Care.