Dear Kat,

I've been looking high and low for a skin care line which does not depend on petrochemicals for it's livelihood along with all the preservatives, colorings, and fragrances. I would appreciate any suggestions since the cosmetic industry wants to sell me everything under the sun. Love your articles. Keep them coming to us.

Respectfully,
Lori D.
Oxnard CA

Dear Lori,

If you've looked high and low, you might try side-stepping... into a health food store. Most health food store skincare lines contain few if any synthetic perfumes and colors. As far as petrochemicals, most have traces, but that's still a far cry from the pure "plastic" with token botanicals that comes in most pretty containers you see in regular stores and department stores. Two of the most prevalent synthetics in skincare are mineral oil and propylene glycol. Mineral oil has been shown to be capable of causing cosmetic-related acne and interferes with the skin's natural lubrication process. Propylene glycol can cause irritation and has no benefit for the skin.

THE SUPER-NATURALS • Kiss Organics • Pratima Skincare • Terressentials • Terra Soleil • Indigo Wild • Jing Jang • Earth's Essential Cream by Vision, Inc. • Penny Island Oat Bath • Jurlique • Burt's Bees • Arboretum Natural Cosmetics • Naturopathica • Dr. Hauschka • Weleda • Osea • Better Botanicals • Neem Aura Naturals • Aubrey Organics • Youthful Essentials • Druide • Erbaviva • Vital Botanicals • John Masters Organics • Urban Botanica

Many otherwise natural and effective products contain minute quantities of synthetic preservatives, which have not been shown to cause harm yet in these small traces, but have been shown to have hormone-mimicking effects in larger quantities in limited studies. And while no harm has been proven in the context of their use in cosmetics, many have the attitude that minute, problematic chemicals are everywhere, and since there is some evidence that some of these accumulate in the body, they want to avoid them entirely if at all possible. If this sounds like you, there are a growing number of super-pure products out there. Here are just a few of my favorite lines. A few may have some products that contain some synthetics, but most of the products within these lines are free of undesirables. For an exhaustive listing with more in-depth comments and recommendations for specific skin issues, as well as my pro picks from the natural selection of color cosmetics, please read my book, The Truth About Beauty.