Cosmetics, make up, perfume and beauty treatments are usually high up on the wish gift list of any woman, but choosing the right skincare gifts can be another minefield altogether. Most women have extremely personal tastes when it comes to beauty and skincare therefore you have to be sure to buy them something that they are going to love and use. Organic skincare is a real growth area with more and more women and men moving away from the harsh chemicals found in regular skincare products to reap the benefits and natural goodness found in organic products.

A natural and organic skincare Christmas gift could be exactly what your Mum or sister wants this Christmas. Plus it has the added bonus of showing that you have really thought about their present and come up with something that will be kind to their skin and the environment.

If your Mum, sister or friend has been complaining about having a particularly hectic holiday period or a stressful time at work you should be able to find a natural and organic skincare Christmas gift that will help to address this issue. There are usually organic gift sets available that are specifically for relaxing with essential oils like lavender and rose in them. You should also be able to find sets for nourishing, reviving, pampering or even detoxing – so they can make a fresh start in the New Year!

An increasing number of people are turning to organic skincare products due to the fact there is more and more research to support claims that the chemicals in regular cosmetics can actually be detrimental to your health. Frightening statistics are constantly emerging about the chemicals in cosmetics and what they can do to your body. When you think that more than a third of our personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer (according to The Environmental Working Group) in the long and short-term they will thank you for their natural and organic skincare Christmas gift.

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Natural and organic skincare products offer people the chance to go beyond the skin-deep benefits offered by the celebrity-endorsed, chemical-infused, mass-marketed offerings found on the high-street, because natural and organic skincare products avoid the long list of dubious man made chemicals and parabens, meaning that when you use them on your skin you can be sure that you are pampering your whole body.

The organic, and slow, food movement has been born out of people’s concern and skepticism over food products that contain synthetic ingredients and chemical preservatives. Despite the fact that skincare products, which are, after all, just as intimate to the body as the food we eat (the skin absorbs the products we place on it), this desire to shun the synthetic in favour of the organic has taken longer to sink into the consciousness of skincare consumers.

Now sales of natural and organic skincare products are growing exponentially – and even the male demographic of the skincare industry, which accounts for $57 million of the overall cosmetic industry each year, is adapting to the shifting attitudes regarding what we rub into our skin and into our bodies.

For women skincare products are one aspect of our lifestyle that should be analysed and, if necessary, altered during the planning of a pregnancy.

A recent study by scientists at Edinburgh University has given women another reason to use organic and natural skin care products during their pregnancy. The researchers found that there might be a link between synthetic perfumes used in skin creams and the healthy development of the foetus.

The researchers found that the chemicals used to scent non organic and natural skincare products may have implications for healthy fertility levels of the foetus later on in life.

Talking to BBC Scotland (31st August 2008) one of the scientists responsible for the study, which was conducted on rats, said that, “There are lots of compounds in perfumes that we know in higher concentrations have the potential to have biological effects, so it is just being ultra safe to say that by avoiding using them your baby isn’t at risk.

”If you are planning to become pregnant you should change your lifestyle. Those lifestyle things don’t necessarily mean that you are going to cause terrible harm to your baby, but by avoiding them you are going to have a positive effect.

”We would recommend you avoid exposure to chemicals that are present in cosmetics, anything that you put on your body that might then get through your body into your developing baby.

”It is not because we have evidence that these chemicals categorically cause harm to babies, it is only based on experimental studies on animals that suggest it is a possibility.”

Despite this qualification mothers to be might still want to read the scientist’s findings in relation to the other information out there that suggests that the benefits of natural and organic skincare products are especially great during a pregnancy. Of course, natural and organic skincare products can smell nice without recourse to chemicals and synthetics – those that contain essential oils are especially good in this regard.

The elements can devastate your skin. Not only can the weather cause dryness, but prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to cellular structural damage. That’s why it’s critical that we do everything possible to care for our skin. It may surprise you to know that the majority of skincare products on the market contain a myriad of harmful chemicals. They can assault our skin and our bodies over time. While they may not be as lethal as cigarettes, many skincare products include toxins and carcinogens such as mercury, toluene and lead acetate.

Organic skincare products lack most of these chemicals. Instead, they contain natural ingredients. Foundations, shampoos, mascaras, lip balms and other organic solutions allow you to care for your skin while avoiding the effects of the toxins and foreign compounds found in most personal care products. Below, you’ll learn how “organic” is defined, a few benefits of using organic skincare products and the types of products you can purchase.

What Does “Organic” Mean?

Organic skincare products come in 2 varieties. They can either claim to be organic or made with organic ingredients. Both are defined differently. For a skincare product to be labeled “organic,” it must be created with 95% organic ingredients. To claim it’s “made with organic ingredients,” a product has to use at least 70% organic ingredients. Because the remaining 5% and 30% (respectively) can contain synthetic chemicals, you should use truly “organic” skincare products to limit your exposure.

Benefits Of Using Organic Skincare Solutions

The main benefit of using skincare products with organic ingredients is that you’ll avoid the toxins and carcinogens that can batter your body. Many of the natural ingredients found in organic solutions contain nutrients that are absorbed into your skin. These help your skin look youthful while nourishing and moisturizing the cells under the surface. You’ll also be contributing to the environment. Many of the chemicals contained in skincare products can’t be absorbed into the environment (without causing damage, at least). Truly organic skincare solutions don’t use most of these synthetic chemicals.

Types Of Organic Skincare Products

Nearly every conventional skincare product has an organic alternative. Whether for makeup, hair care, or cosmetics, there are many personal care products that avoid the poisonous chemicals and replace them with botanical ingredients. Lipstick, toothpaste, concealers, foundations and blushes are available in most stores that offer truly organic skin care products. Hair conditioners, rinses, body creams and toothpaste are also available.

The first step to buying organic products is to identify your skin type (dry, oily, or normal). Most organic personal care products are created to cater to specific types of skin. For example, those solutions that are formulated for dry skin usually offer a hydration component. Other products for oily skin moisturize without clogging your pores.

Treating Your Skin Organically

One of the biggest problems with traditional skincare products is that you don’t notice the damage you’re doing to your body. First, it happens beneath the surface. You may feel fine, but the foreign chemicals in these products are rampaging through your body. Second, any obvious health impacts can take years to manifest. It’s human nature to neglect health issues that aren’t obvious.

Your skin deserves to be treated well. That goes beyond simply making it look attractive. Consider the damage that foreign toxins, carcinogens and various chemicals can do to your body. Then, invest in a supply of organic skincare products. Your skin will look great. Plus, you’ll know that the natural ingredients and nutrients are feeding your body rather than damaging it.

We would all like to put off signs of aging as long as possible. And there are actions we can take toward looking and feeling our best as we age.

Recent studies show that even though our bodies decline in certain ways as we get older, disease and deterioration can be minimized. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can have a positive effect on our aging processes and over-all well being.

A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet of fresh, organic foods with plenty of filtered water. Limiting caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and avoiding smoking will also keep the body healthy and skin looking younger. Of course, adequate exercise, sleep and stress management are all key to a healthy mind and body.

Sun exposure is another component in aging skin. While we know that some sun exposure each day is healthy, it is important to protect yourself from over-exposure which can lead to premature aging of the skin and certain diseases.

Toxins are the biggest contributors in the aging of our bodies. The liver works to filter out toxins from foods, skincare, pollution, sun and stress. But when the toxic load becomes too much for the liver to keep up with, free radicals are produced. These rogue molecules then attack healthy cells, causing loss of collagen, premature aging and disease.

Antioxidants are super-heroes when it comes to fighting free radicals, preventing and reversing damage, and can be found in certain natural ingredients. Essential fatty acid (EFAs) also help to keep skin healthy and looking its best. Found in many plant and seed oils, EFAs reduce inflammation, improve cell function, and protect DNA from damage. EFAs help restore the barrier function of the epidermis, and preserve collagen and elastin. Skin tends to become drier as we age, so moisturization is also important in keeping skin plumped and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

The following are some of the top natural anti-aging ingredients to look for in skincare:

Rose hip oil contains retinol (Vitamin A) and is high in Vitamin C and Omega-3, making it highly effective in diminishing signs of aging, reducing sun damage and softening the skin.
Sea buckthorn oil is very high in vitamin C and also contains vitamins A and E, as well as amino acids and antioxidants.
Green tea, Carrot seed oil and Evening Primrose oil are all rich in antioxidants.
Avocado, Flax, Pumpkin, Cranberry and Grape seed oils are rich in essential fatty acids.
Shea butter is a very emollient moisturizer with natural anti-inflammatory and sun-protective properties. Almond and Jojoba oils are also very hydrating and mimic the skin’s natural oils.

There are many organic skin care products that are made with pure, natural ingredients and are toxin-free.

Skin care containing ingredients with antioxidant benefits and essential fatty acids will supply a fresh, youthful complexion. But rather than thinking of anti-aging skin care as a youth serum that will eradicate any trace of aging, strive for healthy skin and body, no matter what your age. A healthy lifestyle, organic skincare products, and doing your best to minimize toxins entering your body are your best defense against premature aging.