Read the Label If You Want to Be Aware of the Compounds In Your Natural Body Lotion

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The search for a natural body lotion is easier if you know what ingredients to look for. It might seem like a lot of trouble to read the label of ingredients, but it is something you must do.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration's advice about choosing safe cosmetics, it is up to the consumer to pay attention and do their own research. Terms like "natural" are not legally defined. Not all naturally occurring compounds are safe. Some are known to cause allergic reactions.

For example, practically all of the all-natural skincare products on today's market contain essential oils, which are nothing more than concentrated plant fragrances. The oils are known to cause allergic reactions of varying severity.

Orange oil is found in many facial cleansers. Yet it is harsh enough to strip oil off of your kitchen appliances. Imagine what it is doing to your skin.

If you have sensitive skin, you are better off avoiding essential oils and other added fragrances, all together. But, you do want essential fatty acids.

It can be confusing because the names seem so similar. Essential fatty acids are primary components of the skin's sebum, it's naturally protective oil. Natural body lotion should contain essential fatty acids similar to those found in sebum; the more similar the better.

Jojoba for example is more similar to human sebum on a molecular level than it is to vegetable oil, because of the very long-chained essential fatty acids it contains. This makes jojoba one of the best moisturizers, regardless of a person's skin type. It is non-greasy and does not clog the pores.

Olive oil is another ingredient to look for when you are buying natural body lotion. One of the things you don't want is mineral oil. Mineral oils are often referred to as naturally occurring, but they are derived from petroleum; crude oil.

Squalene is whale oil. While it is similar to human sebum, the whales are killed in order to obtain it. There are better choices.

Some vitamins and other nutrients are beneficial when applied directly to the skin's surface. Vitamin B5, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 are examples. Those are good ingredients to look for.

Grape seed oil combined with jojoba will help to fade stretch marks and scars. A natural body lotion containing those oils and the antioxidants mentioned above will help to reverse any damage done by the sun, which basically de-ages the skin.

Another good ingredient is active manuka honey. More and more lotions are promoted because of their germ-fighting or antibacterial activity. You can get those benefits from manuka honey. Other antibacterial agents are partly responsible for the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria. Manuka does not contribute to the problem.

It might be hard to find one product containing all of these ingredients. It certainly wouldn't be one of the cheapest lotions on the market. But if you want a natural body lotion that is truly safe and effective, you have to spend a little extra.

Valerie Rosenbaum is a knowledgeable author on the subject of natural, anti aging skin care products. She prefers products that are loaded with natural ingredients that nourish the skin's ability to heal itself. The products she uses and recommends reduce fine lines and wrinkles with Phytessence Wakame, Functional Keratin & Cynergy TK. To learn more visit her website.