Best Skin Care Products
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated 7 months ago
Sun blocks and Sunscreens
Sun blocks and sunscreens both work to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun's rays, but they each work a little differently. Sun block works by forming a physical barrier between your skin and the incoming ultraviolet light. They reflect the sun's rays away from your skin. Sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, and prevent it from being absorbed by the skin.
Sun blocks typically contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, kaolin, or talc as their active ingredients. In the past, these products were usually heavy, thick, and greasy. They were therefore reserved for sensitive areas like the nose or lips. But recently, manufacturers have figured out a way to include finely ground titanium oxide into their sun blocking products. Hence today’s sun blocks are not thick and greasy like their predecessors.
The best sun blocks to try: Jason Natural Cosmetics’ Earth's Best Organic Sun block, Chemical Free SPF 30+.
Sunscreens usually contain PABA, PABA esters, benzophenones, cinnamates, salicylates, or avobenzone as their active ingredients. Presently, the most effective ingredient for sunscreen protection is parsol 1789. Sunscreen may be irritating, causing stinging or allergic reactions to fair or sensitive skin. They can also discolor clothing and cause drug interactions when combined with antibiotics, anesthetics or skin dyes.
The best sunscrees for all skin types: PABA-free, fragrance-free blends such as Dr Hauschka's Sunscreen Cream for Children (SPF22).
Skin Care Cleansers
When choosing skin care cleansers, keep in mind the individual needs of your skin type. People with normal skin can usually get away with any natural soap or cleanser on the market.
Individuals with sensitive skin may not be as lucky. Many chemical based skin care cleansers can be very irritating to skin. If you have sensitive skin, you need to be particularly cautious about the skin care cleanser you use. Stay away from harsh deodorant or antibacterial soaps and avoid abrasive facial skin care pads and grainy face and body scrubs. These products can strip away the protective top layer of your skin, leaving your skin exposed to heat, cold, pollution, toxins, and other irritants. Instead, look for a soap-free, super fatty, unscented organic cleanser to reduce skin irritation. These can be found through Skin-care-support.org.
Oily skin may benefit from the regular use of organic E3 live soaps. Organic masks and scrubs may help improve the condition of oily skin, but you should limit their use to once a week in order to avoid potential irritation. And if you have acne or skin rash, avoid these types of cleansers altogether as they may aggravate your condition.
There are several specialty cleansers that are made for combination skin. These may work for you, or you may wish to break up your skin care needs with two different cleansers. A gentle cleanser can be used on the whole face, followed by an astringent pad on the T-Zone. You may also wish to use a gentle soap free cleanser on the drier areas of your face, followed up by a toilet soap on the oily regions.
Some of the best skin care cleansers include: Aquaspirit® and the E3 live skin system.
Moisturizers
A moisturizer acts as a defensive barrier between your skin and the pollutants and cosmetics that can build up on it. It also hydrates your skin's top layer and seals in essential nutrients. Some moisturizers on the market make exaggerated claims about their abilities. Some claim to be "energizing, pore-shrinking," or "skin firming" and "anti-wrinkling." In reality, not everyone needs a moisturizer.
People with oily or even normal skin may find little benefit from an added moisturizer. Those with dry, sensitive, or combination skin, however, will likely need a moisturizer. Emollients are best for dry skin types, or for people who are regularly exposed to prolonged periods of cold, chapping winds, indoor heating, chlorine pools, dry air, or air conditioning. Moisturizers are also helpful for people who are using a drying medication, such as an acne medication, a diuretic, or high blood pressure medications.
Whatever skin type or skin care needs you have, many skin care products contain ingredients that can be toxic or irritating to the skin. Here's a list of the most common and irritating ingredients.
Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid
- Quaternium 15: a common preservative
- Benzoic Acid: preservative
- Parabens: preservative
- Sorbic Acid: preservative
- Benzyl alcohol: a perfume solvent
- Lactic Acid: an alpha hydroxy acid
- PEG's: Poly Ethylene Glycol
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop and sell exclusively high-end natural and organic skin care lines to support a wide range of skin conditions. The products he promotes are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives. For more information on skin care or to ask skin care questions, please visit Skin-care-support.org.
