What's In That Spa's Product?

If you are looking for a great gift to give this holiday season... try skin care products. As you may know they can invigorate, protect, beautify, and even defy age for both men and women. What you may not know is just because your Day Spa or local high end cosmetic store carries product, not always is it beneficial or safe for your skin or well being.

Here are a few basic precautions to take when choosing product:

Go Paraben Free - Parabens are chemical preservatives used in cosmetics. The fact is that paraben's can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancer. It has also been reported that parabens adversely affect the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system. Although the jury is still out on the how and why of parabens, all of the toxic talk around this preservative should be enough for you to avoid skin & body products that use parabens.

Avoid Alcohol - Most non organic skin care products and even products that say they are  "natural"add a scented ingredient to the mix to make that creme or lotion smell good. The truth is that the scented ingredient is made of alcohol which drys your skin. So while you are trying to hydrate you are actually dehydrating with a scented product and causing damage to your skin.

Going organic is always best when considering skin care product. Don't be fooled by products that only say they are "natural". Look for the term "Organic". The Spirit Earth product line from Avatar Spa in Marlboro, NJ is a great resource for your personal skin care needs. Each product is sans chemicals, dyes & synthetic fragrances and is produced paraben, sulfur, and cruelty free. A great product introductory and gift for yourself is the Vitamin Rich Face Creme. It is essentially a multivitamin for your face that is perfect for both acneic or dehydrated complexions allowing the body to pull from the creme what it needs.

Make this year's gift idea organic. Give skin care products that are safe and effective.