Just as there is a growing consciousness about the health and ecological benefits of eating organic and natural food, there is also a growing market for skin products such as natural cream and organic lotion. These are otherwise known as natural skin care products. Simply put, these are skin products that are made from natural raw materials that were grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. In cosmetics, this also means that the product does not have any artificial fragrance added.

Here are the advantages of using organic cream and organic lotion:

First of all, organic lotion and organic cream, also called natural lotion and natural creamrespectively, use natural ingredients. Your skin will reap the wide array of benefits that nature provides. This includes anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, C and E. Natural lotion also comes in a wide variety of natural scents, from the popular to the unique. The possibilities are endless.

Next, and more importantly, organic lotion is thought to be more suitable to sensitive skin, particularly the fragrance-free type. This is because natural lotion has very few ingredients, and most of them are easily identifiable on a product label. The more ingredients there are in a lotion or cream, the more likely it is to cause irritation on sensitive skin.

Lastly, using organic lotion and cream means your skin is exposed to less man-made chemicals. While this is true, there is a side note to this. This may not necessarily mean that there are no chemicals on the product. A recent study showed that plants produce and emit chemicals too. This information is especially relevant to environmentalists who think that organic products do not emit toxic substances. According to a scientist who conducted the study, not all of plant-produced substances are known and have been evaluated completely. Whether their emissions are toxic or not is still the subject of further study.

On the other hand, here are the disadvantages of using organic cream and organic lotion:

Organic skin care products have a shorter shelf life than commercial skin care products, specifically because they are organic. There are no organic pesticides. Because of this, your organic cream ororganic lotion may be unusable before you finish it.

Another major disadvantage of organic skin care products is that there are no regulations by the FDA on the use of the term “organic”. This makes it harder to distinguish which are the genuine organic products. Big and small manufacturers alike can easily stamp “organic” on their products and we would all be none the wiser for it. The FDA is still working on the rules of organic certification.

Lastly, organic lotion and organic cream are more expensive than their more commercial counterparts. However, diehards would tell you that you are paying for your health, and you get what you pay for in organic products.

Confused yet? If you’re thinking of switching to an organic cream or an organic lotion, or if you’re already riding the organic trend, here are some tips that will help you with your new, organic lifestyle.

Like in all major purchases, do your own research. If you’re determined to let only natural ingredients touch your skin, make sure you look at the product label before buying it. The rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably a chemical. When in doubt, Google! Before purchasing that organic cream or lotion, take down the name of the ingredient and then look it up. Better yet, download one of those “what ingredients to avoid” lists on the internet and bring it with you the next time you go shopping!

Next, make sure you store the products properly. Be clear on whether a product must be refrigerated or stored in room temperature or far away from sunlight. If possible, use the product right away. Hoarding is not a good idea. If you’re still tempted to do this, think about that woman who developed an infection because the lotion that the storekeepers mixed for her at the store developed yeast. Yes, yeast.

Lastly – test, test, test! Just because the product is made from all-natural ingredients doesn’t mean that it will not cause allergies. Some people have pretty strong allergic reactions to such innocent-sounding ingredients like oatmeal and honey. This happens even if they don’t have a known history of being allergic to these ingredients. Even if it’s an organic cream or lotion, make sure you test it first on a small portion of your skin. Experts recommend testing a product like this for at least 5 days before continuing to use it on the whole body. Observe your skin for irritation.

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to using organic cream or organic lotion. The important thing is to be aware of them and make your decision with the right information.