Organic Moisturizers

When it comes to organic moisturizers, there is allot to choose from! Whether it be your favorite brands of lotions, or your own homemade oil concoctions, there are almost endless ways to moisturize. So long as its "organic" anyway. The exposure you get of chemicals from a body lotion are much higher than the exposure you get from just a dab of face cream, so what you choose to be your primary all-over body moisturizer should be that of something 100% organic and healthy for your skin (as opposed to a synthetic lotion full of harming toxins). You have a choice between lotions and oils. Lotions are oil-in-water emulsions, they only set on the skin, and the alcohol and water just evaporate, only thing benefiting from a lotion is the oil in it. The rest of the contents you just paid for just evaporate?
Yes.

Moisturizing lotions, balms, and creams help fill the gaps between skin cells caused by over-stripping. Organic moisturizers provide two basic types of securities: occlusives and humectants. Occlusives form a seal on the skin that locks residing moisture in (examples include shea butter, beeswax, nut and seed oils). Humectants, such as seaweed, honey, and glycerin, draw moisture from the atmosphere into the skin. While you can still find organic moisturizers that have either humectant or occlusive properties, “a good moisturizer will have humectants to attract moisture and occlusives to seal it in,” says Close. “Look for one that has both.” From there, find a blend that suits your skin type and includes only organic ingredients.

Many are scared of the idea of using just an oil because they think they will be a greasy mess all day. Untrue, in fact, many are unaware of the spray mists and dry oils that can be lightweight and leave minimal residue. Oils will soak-in best right after a bath or shower, and can even be used in your hair sometimes, not to mention the naturally carry their own aromas (without the use of synthetic toxic fragrances). There are thousands of great smelling oils to pick from that can benefit your skin!

If you’re tired of all the chemicals and synthetic fragrances in most store-bought creams and lotions, you might want to consider making your own too.  Most people think that making creams and body lotions is difficult but it’s actually fairly easy, and there are tons of wonderful homemade moisturizer recipes.

TIP: Moisturizing right after showering or washing your face will trap some of the moisture from the water. How you apply your moisturizer is also important. Rub the product in gently, as too much pulling on the skin can induce wrinkles.

TIP: Choose a moisturizer according to the amount of oil in your skin. Also, depending on the season or climate, your skin will need less or more hydration at different times. “The biggest outside influence on your skin is the humidity level,” explains Barbara Close, author of Pure Skin (Chronicle Books, 2005) and founder of Naturopathica Holistic Health Spa in East Hampton, New York. As the temperature falls, humidity falls with it. And the colder the weather outside, the higher you have to crank up the heat, which causes indoor air to dry out even further. As a result your skin’s need for moisture increases in the winter, particularly on your face where exposure is greatest and your skin is most delicate. It’s a necessary to keep moisturized with a natural organic lotion during the winter. During the fall/winter/spring months boiling water once a day, or getting a humidifier can be really beneficial for the hair and skin too.

Sensitive Skin: You may consider your skin sensitive if it gets blotchy after being exposed to cold wind, or strong scented products and oils. Lavender, Germain chamomile, olive oil, and coconut oil will be a great choice of anti-inflammatory ingredients in your organic moisturizer if your skin is sensitive.

Oily Skin: If you remove oils from the skin, it can become more prone to bacterial infection. Your skin produces oil to protect itself from the environment. Oily skin is thick, prone to breakouts, due to the larger pores. A lighter moisturizer containing a more stimulating emollient such as safflower seed, or sunflower oil would work best.

Dry Skin: If your skin feels tight after cleansing, flakes, and wrinkles appear, you may have dry skin. The best moisturizers for dry skin contain oils and butters derived from avacado, sesame, and almond.