Buying a paraben free lotion is a good first step, but more is needed to protect your health. Parabens might have something to do with the growth of cancer tumors. They are known to be common allergens. But they are not the only toxic substances in our health and beauty aids.

Other artificial preservatives can be even more dangerous. Mercury-containing thimerosal is an example. In fact, any artificial preservative is likely to cause allergic reactions, but preservative-free products have a very short shelf-life.

The essential fatty acids in lotions can quickly become rancid if they are not preserved in some way. Yet we need those fatty acids to improve the skin’s moisture content and improve moisture loss.

The thing to do is to look for lotions that are preserved with natural vitamin E. Just because a product contains vitamin E or alpha tocopherol does not mean it is the naturally occurring kind. Most of the vitamin E on the market is produced synthetically using petroleum byproducts.

Only naturally occurring vitamin E is known to be an effective preservative. While the synthetics might work, they might not. So the first step is to look for a paraben free lotion. The second is to look for lotions preserved with natural vitamin E.

If you have sensitivities, you should also avoid artificial fragrances, perfumes, dyes and even naturally occurring fragrances. Essential oils are included in most of the natural products as fragrance ingredients. While they are fine in small quantities, they can cause allergic reactions if included in large quantities.

Essential oils include ingredients like Eugenol, lavender and eucalyptus. They are actually water-based, concentrated plant fragrances. Grape seed oil and other vegetable oils are not essential oils. Even though the names sound the same, they are very different.

A good paraben free lotion for your face would contain grape seed oil, because of the fatty acids it contains. They are very similar to the oils produced by the skin, so there is no risk of allergic or adverse reactions. They are quickly and readily absorbed, which means they do not cause greasiness or a shiny complexion. They can be used by anyone, regardless of their skin type.

Nighttime facial creams containing Shea butter and avocado oil are simply luxurious. Like grape seed oil, they are quickly absorbed and will leave no stains on your pillow. The ingredients also have anti-aging activity.

A good paraben free lotion for the body will contain olive oil, jojoba and other plant-based oils. Mineral oil is not an ingredient you want. It will clog your pores and can contribute to premature skin aging.

If you need help evaluating the lotions you are thinking about buying, you can visit the website Skin Deep. The database at the site allows you to enter in a product name and find out what ingredients it contains. The ingredients are then ranked according to safety. A paraben free lotion should be a safe product, but it all depends on what else is in the bottle.

Author Bio: Valerie Rosenbaum is an expert author on the topic of natural skin care products. After years of research, the skin care products she recommends use a proprietary blend of all natural ingredients in the best skin firming cream. To learn more visit her anti aging skin care products blog.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: paraben free lotion