The average person uses 10 different skin care products on his or her body every day and since our skin acts more like a sponge than a barrier to these products, we tend to absorb most of these chemicals. Cosmetic companies maintain that many of these chemicals are safe, but again, keep in mind that the average woman wears makeup every day, and that is when you will end up realizing how a little spray here and a quick dab there begin to add up.

The best way to prevent the ill-effects of chemicals is by adopting natural skin care techniques. “Natural” means the selection of topical skin care products made of ingredients available in nature. Here are some of the tips to take care of the skin naturally.

• Keep it simple
  Don’t be fooled by myriad lotions and creams at the beauty store just because they come with fancy packaging. Don’t let cosmetic advertising trap you into buying products you don’t even need in the first place because honestly, no product in the world can overturn the sings of aging. It is best to keep it simple – all you’re going to need is a basic moisturizer, toner, cleanser, and a broad- spectrum sunscreen to keep your face healthy and glowing.

• ‘Natural’ should really be natural
  The increasing use of synthetic toxic chemicals is the biggest issue the beauty industry faces today. Hence, examining product labels, and the ingredients they come with, is of utmost importance. One of the ways to do this is by doing a little research before actually going out and purchasing the product — this can be done by referring to various database sites that rate popular personal care products and popular cosmetics with hazard scores depending on their toxicity.

• Organic beauty products go a long way
  Organic ingredients are those that are grown without the use of any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which in turn are healthier for our bodies as well as the planet. Even better yet are botanicals grown using biodynamic farming methods. These help in keeping the body free of hazardous toxins in the long run. Hence, it is highly advisable that one always look for organic alternatives to skin care products.

• Avoid petrochemicals
  Petroleum by-products are usually contaminated by carcinogens that are widely used in a number of skincare products these days. A few of such examples would include emollients for face cream or coal tar for scalp treatment shampoos. Identify such harmful by-products of petroleum on the labels and avoid purchasing any such product. A few commonly used ones are petrolatum, paraffin, and mineral oil.

• Make your own green skincare treatments
  The best way to take care of your skin is by doing so at the personal level. There are a number of DIY skincare tips widely available on the internet these days. All you need to do is experiment a little and know what exactly works well for your skin type. For instance, a simple and effective face mask with only honey and coconut oil can do wonders for your skin. Once you know what suits you the best, all you need to do is repeat it a few times a month and flaunt that flawless skin of yours.