I guess the simplest definition of natural skin care is care of the skin using natural ingredients such as herbs, roots, and essential oils—things found in nature. No unpronounceable synthetics that turn out to be carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.

A better question would be why natural skin care? You should practice natural skin care because you’re not getting any younger. You should practice natural skin care because it’s good for your health. You should practice natural skin care because it will save you money. Bet that last one got your attention. Let me elaborate.

Aging is a natural process that our genes play a big part in. After genetics, the environment has a huge affect. By environment I mean the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat. Remember that old programmer saying, ‘garbge in, garbage out’? Well, it applies in this case too. Your skin is a direct reflection of your health.

Chronic conditions like dry skin could mean you don’t have enough essential fatty acids in your diet. Your acne could be a reaction to a synthetic hormone in your deodorant or perfume. Perhaps your brain fog is the result of the carpet deodorizer you use. Our environment, indoors and outdoors, affects us.

Don’t get me wrong. If there is no natural alternative that works for me I will use a synthetic product. My particular problem is hyperpigmentation. Every breakout or insect bite leaves behind a stubborn blemish. So far, I’ve found natural products that sorta work, but don’t really get the job done so I use a combination of products. It’s a calculated gamble on my part, but I’m always on the lookout for something 100% natural.

Understand that you can have reactions to natural products too. However the track record for herbs and essential oils is hundreds of years old. You know what to expect from them, and the reactions tend to be slight and go away when you stop using the product. Synthetics–not so much.

Lastly, the price of cosmetics is no joke. Occasionally I make something for myself so I love a good recipe. Remember the hubbub about people getting addicted to lip balm? Well of course if you make it taste delicious people are going to lick their lips all day. I have a great recipe for lip balm that’s tasteless and way cheap, but you’ll have to keep visiting to find out . . .