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.