What Is "Natural" Skin Care?

Natural skin care is using naturally-derived ingredients such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers, combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers.

In other words, naturally occurring ingredients which are known to be safe for human use.

The classic definition of natural skin care is based on using botanically sourced ingredients currently existing in or formed by nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals, and manufactured in such a way to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, sunflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. All of these natural ingredients and more are found in the Votre Vu skin and body care line.

Why is it so important to use "natural" products on your skin and hair?

There is nothing worse for your skin and hair then an unnecessary chemical ingredient. Any naturally grown product or ingredient must be produced without any chemicals, which includes any fertilizer or pesticides. Natural pesticides and fertilizers may be used, however, no toxic chemicals are used on the plants at all, at any time.

The best manufacturer of natural skin care products has a commitment to using only naturally occurring ingredients that are both safe for human use and also effective.

It's important to at least know the worst offenders when shopping for nontoxic skin care.

The below ingredients have been found to be the most troublesome not only for your own safety but also for the effect using petroleum ingredients have on the environment.

Phthalates (Dibutyl and Diethyl):
An ingredient typically used in hair spray, nail polish and some fragrances as a plasticizers providing flexibility. Considered high hazard on Skin Deep for it's various potential health problems.

Synthetic Colors:
FD&C and D&C followed by a number. These artificial colors are coal tar based and some of them are known to be carcinogen.

Synthetic fragrance:
Fragrance is often the ingredient in a product that will cause an allergic reaction. The word fragrance tells us nothing and could mean all kinds of different ingredient.

Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine (TEA, DEA):
These ingredients help to stabilize the ph of a product. They act as foaming agents in cleansers and are considered irritating and possibly toxic.

Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea:
These are used as preservatives and have been found to cause contact dermatitis. They also release formaldehyde which can be toxic.

Petroleum based ingredients:
Sodium Laurel Sulfate/SLS: A cheap degreasing chemical used in shampoos, face and hand soaps. Can be very irritating and cause allergic reactions. (This chemical also will strip the color from your salon treated hair).

Propylene glycol PEG and PPG (usually used in the synthetic form can cause a variety of allergic reactions)

PVP PVA copolymers (used in hair products can be toxic if inhaled)

Petrolatum-petroleum jelly (used to help retain moisture in the skin but has been found to do just the opposite)

Stearelkonium chloride
Used in hair conditioners and creams maybe even in your fabric softener, can be very irritating and considered toxic.

1,4-dioxane While not an ingredient but a by-product of other chemicals, it has been found in many of our personal care products and is linked to cancer.