We all like to think of our personal care products as safe. However, your skin cleanser may not actually be as safe as you think - if you can feel those little bubbles popping; it may not really be doing what you think.

Any facial cleanser which has foaming action probably has the ingredients Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate, or both. These ingredients are chemicals which have been found to lower immune function, cause inflammations and are found in engine degreasers and other products you would never put on your face.

Another commonly seen skin care product ingredient is Propylene Glycol - one of the primary ingredients in antifreeze! Naturally, this is not something you'd like on your face either.

Mineral oil is another common ingredient. Mineral oil coats your skin like a waterproof layer - however, this keeps your skin from performing the important function of cellular respiration. Your pores will be clogged, which causes acne and many other skin problems. Even with all of these downsides, skin care products often contain this ingredient.

The products which contain these chemicals usually also have lots of other chemical ingredients. These chemicals are found in lotions, skin creams and even fragrances. The manufacturers always say that the small amounts of these chemicals in their products are safe - but why risk it?

The side effects of continued exposure to the chemicals listed above include hormonal imbalances, headaches, fatigue and even cancer! Not every skin care product contains these potentially hazardous ingredients of course, which is why it's important to seek out skin care products which do not contain toxic chemicals.

There are natural, safe skin care products which contain only naturally occurring ingredients; one example is emu oil.

Emu oil is a completely neutral lipid that is safe for anyone and it is hypoallergenic. Emu oil products are highly penetrating to the skin surface and it can rehydrate and strengthen the cells in the deepest layers of skin.

Products that contain pure emu oil are able to naturally soften and nourish skin. Other benefits of emu oil include its anti-inflammatory properties. It's a bonus when applying skin lotion also helps relieve pain from minor aches and even arthritic discomfort.

Another skin-healthy natural ingredient is seaweed. While it may not look so great floating in the ocean, it is actually wonderful for your skin. Used in natural skin care products, seaweed can help you get a youthful, healthy look to your skin.

Botanical based skin care formulas rely on ingredients found in nature. Some of the elements found in seaweed include organic mineral salts, amino acids that can fortify the structure of the skin, several vitamins, and antioxidants which help repair cellular damage. Seaweed has also been found to be one of the best ingredients to promote skin cell regeneration.

Natural skin care products which are free of chemicals and have antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E naturally detoxify, nourish and hydrate your skin.

You can't expect the skin care industry to make an overnight conversion however - it's up to you to make wise choices about skin care products for you and your family. By using only high quality, natural skin care products, you'll be caring for your skin and your family in a healthy way.