Summary: A market has emerged for natural skin care products and other natural products because more and more consumers are educating themselves about the potential harm of ingredients found in everyday personal care products. Consumers must be cautious, however, because “natural” doesn’t always mean “natural.” Find out how you can ensure the natural skin care products or other natural products you are buying are really”natural.”

Store shelves are stocked with thousands of choices for us to slough, buff and whiten various parts of our bodies. Many of us don’t give it a moment’s thought whether these products are safe or not. If you’re one of those people, you might be surprised by the following:

• Did you know - Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees what goes in our food, drugs and cosmetics, less than 1 percent of the their budget is used for monitoring cosmetic product safety. It’s probably surprising to most that unlike their food and drug counterparts (that require approval prior to hitting store shelves), cosmetics are regulated only after their release in the marketplace.
  
• Did you know - In the US for children under the age of 6, cosmetics are the most common toxic exposure, followed by cleaning substances and analgesics, according to a 2003 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System.
  
• Did you know - All the chemicals you slather on your skin can be absorbed and in some cases with harsh results. The Environmental Working Group determined that the average adult American uses nine body care products each day containing over 126 chemical ingredients. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported more than 2 million poison cases in 2002 with ingestion of household products, specifically personal care products and cosmetics as the most common cause. Furthermore, the American Academy of Dermatology sites that one in ten people have had adverse reactions to cosmetic products. Some chemicals such as toluene that are used in fragrances can make it difficult for asthmatics to breathe.
  
• Did you know - The Environmental Working Group also warns that “industrial chemicals are basic ingredients in personal care products. The 10,500 unique chemical ingredients in [personal care] products equate to about one of every seven of the 75,000 chemicals registered for use in the U.S. Eighty-nine (89) percent of these 10,500 ingredients FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution. Personal
• Did you know - There are more than 3000 synthetic fragrance ingredients and most have never even been tested for safety. What’s more, a single synthetic fragrance can contain as many as 600 raw ingredients. It’s frightening to consider the short-term and long-term ramifications of these ingredients, not to mention the potential allergic reactions to a concoction with such a lengthy ingredient list.
  
• Did you know - Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical used as a cheap preservative in cosmetics, vaccines and is commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, bath and body gels, liquid hand soap and bubble bath. It can also be found in products for children including bubble bath and baby shampoo. Because formaldehyde is a cancer suspect, it is banned from cosmetics and toiletries in both Japan and Sweden.

Demand for Natural Skin Care Products, Natural Products

Because more and more consumers are educating themselves about the potential harm of ingredients found in personal care products, a market is emerging for natural skin care products and other natural products. Some of the same companies that manufacture your traditional personal care products are now finding value in trying to eliminate harmful chemical and offering natural, holistic, homeopathic, or environmentally safe solutions that benefit your body and even the earth. But buyer beware! Natural is not always “natural” and things are not always as they appear…

According to the article “Natural Body Care” appearing in the February/March 2005 issue of Mother Earth’s News, “when a food is labeled ‘certified organic,’ it means it was produced and handled according to the standards established by the Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. A few personal care products use certified organic ingredients and meet the criteria of the ‘USDA Certified Organic’ label. But some companies are taking liberties with labels to tap into the burgeoning natural and organic goods market. When it comes to cosmetics, the terms, “organic” or “natural” can mean just about anything because the FDA has yet to establish criteria for these products.” The article goes on to quote John Bailey, FDA’s former director of the Office of Cosmetic and Colors as saying, “[The manufacturers] could wave a tube of plant extract over a bottle and declare it ‘natural’.”

So how do you know “natural” really means “natural.” Scrutinize the list of ingredients and pay attention to what’s listed first. Ingredients are ranked in order of volume so be sure the best ingredients are on the top of the list. If most “natural” ingredients come at the end of the list, put it back on the shelf. Another rule of thumb is to make sure you can pronounce the ingredients. Frequently, only scientists can pronounce the synthetic or chemical ingredients.

And when buying organic Consumer Reports' ShopSmart recommends looking for a seal that says the product is certified organic. One is the USDA seal that certifies 95 percent or more of the product is organic. .If you don't see a seal, a check of the ingredients will tell you whether it’s organic of not so you don't end up paying for something that's not quite as organic as it says.

For more information about personal product safety and the latest news regarding natural skin care products and other natural products, check out “Coming Clean: Organic Integrity in Bodycare Products” at http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare and “Skin Deep: News About the Safety of Popular Health and Beauty Brands” from the Environmental Working Group at http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep also are good sources for more information.