Home | Beauty | Fashion | Cosmetics, Beauty Products

Natural Skin Care: Why Are Fragrance Free Products So Difficult to Find?

By: Teri Dourmashkin Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Many of us have become more savvy regarding skin care. As a result, some of us have turned to natural skin care believing it offers a healthier option to the thousands of potentially toxic synthetic ingredients found in commercial skin care.

Gone are the days of mindlessly slathering on creams and lotions without a thought as to whether or not a product is safe. Walk into almost any drug store these days and you will find a myriad of "natural" products that were previously only found in health food stores. Even huge companies that have become household names have jumped on the "natural" bandwagon by sprinkling a few botanical extracts into their products.

While finding more naturally based products is more convenient than ever, a challenge still exists for those with sensitive skin, or for individuals who simply prefer fragrance free products. Have you noticed how many natural skin care companies routinely use essential oils in their products? It is not that essential oils are inherently bad, but they can pose a problem for some.

Essential oils are distilled from the aromatic parts of a plant, such as the flowers, leaves, roots and barks, and has been used for aromatherapy since antiquity. It's main purpose is to promote well being, both on a physical and emotional level. Essential oils have been used to treat colds, migraine headaches, indigestion, etc.

Take a whiff of some of the face creams found in major health food outlets. Some smell predominately of lavender, others have a lingering scent of peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. A single product could contain several essential oils.

So, why do these companies rely so heavily on essential oils? One of the main purposes is to add a "natural" fragrance to the product. Another reason is that essential oils may provide benefits for the skin. For example, some essential oils may help to control oily skin, while others may be more beneficial for dry skin.

However, some essential oils are known to cause skin reactions. For example, lavender can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Other essential oils can cause irritation, rashes, blotches or itchy skin. Some essential oils such as peppermint,eucalyptus,and tea tree oil may be too irritating for sensitive skin types. Hydrosols, which are less concentrated than full strength essential oils may be more suitable for sensitive skin. For example, rose hydrosol can be used in toners and creams. While these products still contain a "natural" fragrance, they may be more gentle on the skin.

While there is a dearth of fragrance free natural skin care products lining store shelves, you can always inquire if a particular company would consider doing a fragrance free line. While this may or may not happen, you can still get the ball rolling by providing the suggestion. Also, you can Google some variation of,"Fragrance Free All Natural Skin Care." Make sure that any on-line purchase is accompanied by a 30 day money back guarantee. If not, see if the company is willing to send out samples.

We should always have choices when it comes to purchasing skin care. And while some women do like scented products, there appears to be an increasing demand for fragrance free all natural products.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Dr. Teri Dourmashkin has a Doctorate in Health Education from Columbia University. She has done extensive research on safe and non-toxic skin care for over 15 years. She is the founder and president of La Vie Celeste Skin Care, Inc. If you would love to learn more about non-toxic skin care that promises more beautiful, radiant skin then visit-> www.laviecelesteskincare.com . e-mail: sales@laviecelesteskincare.com