Natural, Organic Face Creams Need No Animal Testing!
Finding a truly organic face cream can be difficult. The USDA sets standards and inspects farms providing organic foods. Those farms may also provide the ingredients for skincare products. But it's hard to determine whether or not that is the case.
What you and I expect when shopping for organics might not be the same as the cosmetic company's definitions. Most companies add some type of sunscreen to their product. While sunscreens fit the technical definition of organics, there is a great deal of controversy concerning whether or not they are safe. Here's what the companies should provide.
They should provide safe plant-based oils and extracts, purchased from growers who do not use chemical pesticides. They should not add artificial preservatives, colorings or fragrances to those good ingredients. They should go easy on essential oils, which are concentrated plant fragrances that can cause allergic reactions and neurological problems.
The ingredients should not be tested on animals. There would be no need for animal testing if companies used only non-toxic ingredients. That provides a clue about what the cosmetic companies have been selling us all of these years. If it burns or damages an animal's skin, logically it would not be good for human skin.
An organic face cream should contain the protein keratin, because the nutrient is needed for the construction of new cells. The keratin should be derived from sheep's wool, not from animal hooves, poultry beaks or other byproducts. The best form is Functional Keratin. It is the only form that is fully usable by the skin's cells. It is a supplement grade, rather than a cosmetic-grade protein.
Functional Keratin has been shown in clinical testing, with human volunteers, to provide numerous anti-aging benefits. To be included in an organic face cream, the manufacturer should be able to trace the wool it comes from to trusted farmers.
Honey is often found in natural skincare products. Some varieties provide numerous benefits. Manuka honey for example has natural antibacterial and antioxidant activity.
If the bees gather their pollen in a polluted environment, the honey will contain impurities. There are still some unpolluted areas on the planet, far from industry and shipping lanes. The South Island of New Zealand is an example of a good location for gathering honey.
Manuka is usually included in night creams, under eye gels and deep cleansing masks. It gets its name from the Manuka bush, which is native to New Zealand.
Regular use of an organic face cream containing Manuka honey and Functional Keratin will help to reduce acne breakouts and stimulate the skin's immune system. After a few weeks of daily use, it will improve the skin's firmness. Under eye gels containing those ingredients will reduce bags and dark circles. All of these benefits have been proven in clinical studies. Of course, many of the products on the market just aren't that good.
Take the time to evaluate the ingredients and the manufacturer before you buy an organic face cream. That's the best thing you can do.
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 skin creams website.
