Sorry if this isn't posted in the right area, but I felt it went along with the Whole Foods Lifestyle. I'm trying to find healthy skin care products to use, ones that don't have the harmful products in them that we want to avoid.

What ingredients are you avoiding? (I know parabens are ones to avoid, what others?)

Have you found any skin care products that you feel are safe to use? If so, what are they and where did you find them?

I will share any info I get as well.

Thanks!
Cheree

I avoid parabens and GSE (it's made from left over grapefruit pulp through a largely chemical process.) I also try to find products that are approved for sale in the EU. The EU has banned over 1000 chemicals in beauty products, where as the FDA has only banned just over 100 (I don't trust the FDA on anything.)

I know that the verdict is still out on whether or not these chemicals are really harmful (not enough studies have been done.) I believe in a better safe then sorry policy and you do absorb approx 60% of what you put on your skin.

I use Avalon Organics skin care products. I find them at my local health food store. I use soap from the farmer's market, made locally from goat's milk and I use mineral make-up that contains no preservatives (parabens) just minerals. Of course, I wear makeup maybe 2 a month anyway.

There is also a German dermatologists that makes great safe products. I can't remember the name, but it's Dr. something that starts with an "H." The products are great, but really pricey.

Hi, I've recently been on the quest for healthy skin care and makeup since all of the latest news about mercury in most lipstick brands and aluminum in most deoderants. The latest thing I've found is pure and completely natural olive oil soap for the face and body which very moisturizing and a night cream that contains natural fruit enzymes to exfoliate the dead skin on your face. The brand is call Kiss my Face and I found it on an herbal website where I order my emu oil, vitamins and herbs. They also carry an eye cream and a daytime tinted moisturizer I want to try. The herbal website is www.herbspro.com. Since I have been using the olive oil soap and night cream I really see a difference and feel so much better knowing I'm not putting harmful chemicals on my skin. Next thing I need to find is a natural deoderant and hair products.

Wow, just realized I need to update that mini-goal ticker. Didn't make goal but that's another story. Whaaa.......

About three years a catalog based out of San Francisco, CA started sending me their catalogs with free samples. Their skin care philosophy is shared on the inside of the catalog but it originated from Japan. One of my favorite cleansers is olive oil cleanser. Now, you would think that it would be greasy or leave your face oily but it doesn't. It really deep cleans also. I also tried a couple of their eye creams as well.

I have always believed less is more and although I am 54 I look about 12 years younger. I don't even have crows feets. If you have nice looking skin you don't need much make-up. That has been my philosophy for over twenty years and I have youthful looking skin to prove it.

I love Paula's Choice: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/ She's got a great range of products for remarkably low prices, and no unnecessary chemicals and additives in the stuff.

She also has a fabulous cosmetics ingredients dictionary, so you can finally find out what wonder-ingredient X actually does, if anything. It's cool. http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/di....asp?TYPE=MAIN

My friend here in Kentucky makes all kinds of soap,lotions,etc. check her out mistymountaintop.com she also takes her on pictures of the products.....she's pretty good

Dr. Haushka! I just got done showering and applying the facial oil to my face! It is TERRIBLY expensive, but I managed to get my hands on some, wholesale. It is so nice!

I've been toying with Oil Cleansing and am quite happy. I read about it here ... http://www.longhaircommunity.com/for...ead.php?t=5612

I love oil cleansers. Many years ago I bought an oil cleanser from Clarins and it was great. I also had a DHC sample that was awesome.

My favorite brand overall though is Origins but I don't think they have an oil cleanser.

I LOVE OIL CLEANSING!!! It seems insane, but somehow my oily skin is way more balanced now. Since my skin is oily, I make a mix that's about 50% olive and 50% castor oil. The castor oil is actually pretty drying. If you don't have oily skin, you shouldn't put as much castor. I use the olive oil as a moisturizer where i see wrinkles beginning to form!

I have gotten "Kiss My Face" and Avalon products at Trader Joe's.

Evan Healy!!!!

all of the products are AMAZING though I don't care for many of the scents. The scents are actually from essential oils in the products rather than added to perfume the product, so they don't linger much, thankfully. The Blue Lavender Facial Milk is the ONLY thing i will EVER use again to wash my face.. I have roseaca, and while it is really mild, anything I use except this product leaves my face angry and red. the products are a little pricey.. a little higher than kiss my face but much less expensive than dr hauhska (which is also an amazing product line). if you have a whole foods grocery store near your home, they will have MANY of the lines that everyone has already mentioned in the thread, with testers and possible samples. Dr Haushska also has a line of cosmetics that are great, though just a little on the pricey side.

wow, thanks for all the great info guys... I almost asked a similar question, glad I found this one! =)

One more recommendation - Juice Beauty makes 95% certified organic, paraben-free line of skin care products, made with pressed organic fruit juices. I got a little sampler kit for Christmas, and OH MY GOODNESS. My skin is SO smooth, and the products all smell absolutely incredible. My face has probably never felt better.

Juice Beauty