What irritates your skin? It may be you. I’ve met women who have become so frustrated with beauty products that irritate their skin that they don’t use anything at all. Sound familiar? Finding the right skin care products for sensitive skin can seem like the impossible dream.

Products promising increased brightness, I mean, luminosity (new adwords keep popping up to show the superiority of each new product) often contain ingredients that actually irritate your skin, causing the redness they claim to eradicate. Petroleum based ingredients, preservatives called “parabens”, artificial fragrances and sulfate cleansers are the most common culprits.

Petroleum products: If it makes your car run you don’t want to put it on your skin. Petroleum products clog pores and interfere with skin’s natural moisture balance actually drying skin with long term use. Dryness in itself can be a cause of redness and irritation. Choose moisturizers, anti aging products and body butters rich in natural emollients instead. Avocado or Mango Butters are two natural substitutes which not only restore skin’s natural moisture barrier, but are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids as well.  My favorite for dry skin is BEST Body Butter .

Parabens (ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) you can find listed in microscopic lettering on the back of most skin care and personal care products. Used as preservatives, they are under scrutiny because some studies seem to indicate a link to breast cancer. I say “if in doubt, leave it out.”

Sulfates (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl/laureth sulfate) are the cleansers found in most shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. SLS ingredients are cost effective but harsher than what skin and hair really needs. They strip natural oils and can be comodogenic (clogs pores). Harsh cleansers can overstimulate oil production. Your skin and hair may take a few days to adjust if you switch to a natural source, milder cleanser but you will be rewarded with soft skin and shinier, naturally healthy hair.

Fragrances and dyes are the number one cause of allergic reactions to skin care products, face moisturizers and anti aging products. The word “fragrance” on the label is a catch all and just means that the product contains artificial or natural ingredients unknown to you. Even if the product claims “natural” fragrance, beware. The word “natural” is an advertising claim that is unregulated. Read the label ingredients to see if a product labeled natural skin care is truly rich in natural ingredients.

1. Everything in Moderation. Bigger and More isn’t better. Buy what you need, leave what you don’t. From the size of your house, to the number of shirts in your closet buy what you need. Going green by exercizing moderation can save you big bucks and you will be setting a good example too.

2. Shop small. Think about the entire life cycle of the products you buy. Small business, handmade products and locally grown produce will consume less energy in production.

3. Read the fine print. The front label of a product is marketing, not educational material. Since usage of words like natural and organic are not regulated by the government you need to turn the bottle over and read the fine print. Ingredients will be listed in descending order. There should be more words that look like latin (plant names) than scientific words you can’t pronounce.

4. Buy quality not quantity. Do you have a closet full of cosmetics and toiletries you don’t use? Invest in products that are good for your skin and hair. Leave the rest at the store.

5. Stop recreational shopping. Spending your money on things you didn’t think you needed until you got to the store and saw it on sale is not a good use of your time or money. Exercise, read a book, go for a walk, do anything but go out and spend your money just for fun.

See a good article on Green Purse purchasing. 

REPAIR. Look for PEPTIDES, a grouping of Amino Acids which are the basic elements of protein. Peptides penetrate and affect the metabolism of your skin, increasing collagen production which increases skin density, plumping out fine lines. Argireline is a neuro peptide which communicates below the surface telling your furrowed brow to relax and stop creating that line that’s forming between your brows. This has a great now and later effect reducing the appearance of those nasty expression wrinkles and minimizing the action that forms them. For more on peptides see an article at Elle Canada.    http://www.ellecanada.com/Beauty/default/power-of-peptides-n231268p1.html. 

PREVENT signs of aging like fine lines, dull tone, redness and large pores with VITAMINS, Anti-oxidants and Retinol (pro vitamin A). Basically, your skin needs fruits and veggies. Eat them and look for skin care with natural ingredients rich in Vitamins A, C and E.

MAXIMIZE with AHA acids. The gentler AHA fruit acids can be used daily and even incorporated into your moisturizer. Your skin needs a little help to slough dead cells to continally uncover vibrant healthy skin. Your skin will be smoother, fresher and you will find yourself using less moisturizer and less foundation. Look for Apple extract which contains malic acid, one of the mildest AHAs and safe for sensitive skin.

To find all three in an eco minded, paraben free, fragrance free moisturizer is a treasure.  Buy Youth by Nature anti aging moisturizer direct from the manufacturer at www.AvantiNow.org

Natural acne skin care for oily or combination skin.  This moisturizer has a wide variety among its faithful followers from oily skin to what I call “extreme combination skin,”  people who have both dry and oily areas.  This formula will naturally calm, reduce redness, promote healing, keep pores clean, and maintains a soft, bright skin surface.  With continued use you will find yourself using a fraction of the foundation you used to, which is healthier for your skin and gives that beautiful natural look.

At the beginning of last year I started my own business, AvantiNow, producing natural skin care, soaps and hair care products.   My daughter, who has a head full of tight tiny curls was my first inspiration.   I developed a soap free wash and natural balm for her and voila!  Her hair is beautiful, soft and maintains moisture.  

Skin care was the next natural step.   The natural oils, butters and botanicals were irresistable to me so I forged ahead creating formulas for the skin care needs I find in my own very diverse family.   I set about to formulate the anti aging cream of my dreams and I call it Youth by Nature.   As others began to try that and other products the feedback I began to receive really surprised me.  Those around me with sensitive skin became addicted right away.   Sensitive skin care was a real need.  There was no turning back.  

Why buy a handmade skin care product?   They were created to work, not as a business gimmick.   In the beginning my products were formulated and produced to meet the skin care needs of the people I love.   Now I’m happy to offer AvantiNow natural skin care products online at. 

If you have tried AvantiNow products consider this Natural Skin Blog your forum to voice your opinion on our products, share green beauty tips, or whatever else is on your mind.

Thanks for stopping by.