Resources
Natural skin care is the care of the skin (the largest organ of the body) using naturally-derived ingredients (such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers) combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers (everything from natural soap to oils to pure water). The classic definition of natural skin care is based on using botanically sourced ingredients currently existing in or formed by nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals, and manufactured in such a way to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.
As a result of this definition, many people who use natural skin care products, generally make their own products at home from naturally occurring ingredients. While there are many wives’ tales surrounding the beneifts of certain ingredients, scientific studies have proven that such ingredients as Chamomile have demonstrated healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. Many people use natural skin care recipes to make remedies to care for their skin at home. Many spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Over the past ten years, several companies have been started to make available completely natural products to the general public.
Natural Skin Care History
Natural skin care has its roots in the 4th millennium BC in China and the Middle East. It is believed that the Egyptians developed many natural skin care treatments for a variety of skin conditions. One such treatment consists of bullock’s bile, whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, dough and resin mixed with milk. In the modern age many people with unique skin types and needs (sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin) have turned to natural skin care solutions.
Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter,beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specifically to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.
Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the holistic care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affects all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.
There is, however, no actual definition of natural according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All ingredients are chemicals by definition. “Derived” ingredients are unnatural both according to the original substance and the method of derivation. Despite pressure from advocacy groups such as The Environmental Working Group (EWG) the FDA has not defined what natural is or how to achieve it. Contrary to popular belief the FDA does not regulate the sale of skin care and cosmetic products before they are sold.
The FDA recommends understanding the ingredient label and says “There is no list of ingredients that can be guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions, so consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin.” Food preservatives are commonly used to preserve the safety and efficacy in these standard products.
Skin Care Information and Links
Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database by Environmental Working Group
WebMD Healthcare information site
www.health.gov is a portal to the Web sites of a number of multi-agency health initiatives and activities of theU.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal departments and agencies
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Healthfinder.gov - daily health news, quick guide to healthy living, sponsored by the National Health Information Center
Medline Plus - Health Information - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
National Women’s Health Information Center
Organizations
American Herbal Products Association
The National Trade Association and Voice of the Herbal Products Industry
The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia
Produces authoritative herbal monographs containing accurate, critically reviewed information on botanicals.
Herb Research Foundation
With a primary goal of public education, the Herb Research Foundation is recognized internationally as one of the foremost sources of accurate, scientific information on the health benefits and safety of medicinal plants.
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
A worldwide network of lactation professionals. Locate International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and other health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families in your area.
La Leche League International
Helping mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and the mother.
The National Milk Bank
A nationwide organization that collects donated human milk, ensures milk safety and quality and makes it available for infants in need.
Organic Trade Association
Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
Promotion of Mother’s Milk, Inc. (ProMoM)
A non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and public acceptance of breastfeeding.
Realities For Children
Serves the needs of abused and neglected children in Larimer County.
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
Offering over 250 classes per quarter in various healing arts, including a 100-hour Doula training program, a 200-hour Childbirth Education program, and a 500-hour program in Western Herbalism.
United Plant Savers
An organization whose mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.
United States Breastfeeding Committee
The mission of United States Breastfeeding Committee is to improve the Nation’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Resources
All Organic Links
A comprehensive, one-stop, listing system for the organic industry.
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in the U.S.
Baby-Friendly USA envisions an American culture that values the enduring benefits of breastfeeding and human milk for mothers, babies, and society
Baby Names
Baby names database including name origins and meanings.
Breastfeeding.com - the one place for new moms & expectant mothers.
Breastfeeding Advocacy Network
The purpose of Breastfeeding Advocacy Network is two fold: education and advocacy.
Breastfeeding and the Law.
This website provides basic information on breastfeeding and the law (with the main focus on the United States).
Breast Feeding After Reduction.
This website provides information and support on breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery.
Childbirth Solutions
Proving childbirth articles and birth stories that cover preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Also offers a message board, shopping mall, and Dad’s page.
Dontshakeababy.com
Preventing shaken baby syndrome.
Down With Basics
“Helping you live consciously”
GenGreen
A Network, Marketplace and Resource for all Things Green.
Healing Choices
Your Guide to Complementary, Alternative, Integrative, Holistic and Natural Healthcare.
Journey Into Birth
A resource for pregnancy and birth.
Kellymom
This website was developed to provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting.
Lactivist (lactation activist)
A warehouse of breastfeeding information.
LinksOrganic.com
Find information on organic businesses throughout the world.
Low Milk Supply
Provides information and support to mothers who are experiencing low milk production. It is also an online resource for healthcare providers who help mothers breastfeed.
Montana Mamas
A great place for Mamas to connect and find useful information on pregnancy, mothering and babies.
Mothering - Natural Family Living
Mothering’s collection of articles and information about pregnancy & birth.
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog
This blog combines breastfeeding support with humor and human interest stories–it’s got it all!
My Natural Organics
Find all your natural & organic food, drinks, clothing, pet, personal care, baby, skin care, herbs & spices and health products.
Natural Solutions
The trusted voice of the complementary and alternative medicine field provides natural remedies and healthy solutions for your most pressing health concerns as well as practical strategies for self-care and prevention.
Pregnancy Without Stress
New and exciting site to provide guide, article, tips and free newsletter on pregnancy and stress for mothers. Visit us to get free ebook and weekly newsletter.
Susun Weed’s Home Page
Herbal medicine and spirit healing for wise women and green witches.
Women’s Health Issues
Provides special information dedicated for women on women’s health issues. Here you will find everything you want to know and more.
Services
Beyond Birth Midwifery Care
Provides expert guidance during the transition from hospital to home.
The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington
Here you can get directions to the center, see what services we offer, find information on breastfeeding and meet our staff.
Eco Green Office
Affordable environmentally friendly office products and services for organizations and individuals striving to be green.
Family Nurse Midwives Associates
A midwifery and birth center practice in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.
Genesis Certified Doula Services
Genesis Doula Service is dedicated to providing support, info, and comfort before, during and after your labor and birth.
HypnoBirthing - Sonja St. John, CHT
Easier, more comfortable birthing in the way that most Mirrors Nature.
Prenatal Massage Center
Prenatal Massage Center of Manhattan Anne Heckheimer, a New York licensed massage therapist, has specialized in prenatal and postpartum massage for over five years.
Rachel Blunk, L.Ac.
Specializing in fertility acupuncture.
Stork Store NYC
Delivering Support, Doula Services, and Educational Classes.
Stork Vision
Ultrasound Imaging with the highest quality limited diagnostic 3D Sonograms and 4D Sonograms in the industry.
Products
Baby Baby Oh Baby
A beautiful, wonderfully simple “how-to” DVD about massaging and bonding with your baby.
Baby Be Loved
Baby Be Loved book or baby gift basket offers parenting tips, songs, fun illustrations and bonding activities for new parents and babies. The perfect gift to get parents and baby off to a great start!
Baby Bunz & Co.
A special collection of baby basics.
Bosom Babies - Canada
Canadian website that carries Motherlove products in large, medium and small sizes along with a unique selection of items for baby and mother.
Bosom Buddies
Breastfeeding information, products and services.
BreastChester
Stylish nursing clothing and bras and quality breastfeeding supplies for the modern breastfeeding woman.
Breastfeeding Heaven - United Kingdom
Provides mums with the products they require to continue breastfeeding, at a very competitive price.
Express Yourself Mums
Breastfeeding - A site for specialist breastfeeding and expressing products, useful supplies of breastpumps and their accessories as well as baby art and gifts.
Lily Organics
Lily Organics, not just another skin care company. Actually, Organic Growers!! All products made fresh every week on our own Organic farm. Organic, Fresh, and synthetic chemical-free is how great skin is revealed.
Mama Dearest, L.C. in Canada
Expert breastfeeding advice and selected quality products to aid in nursing.
Mammal Mama
Increasing lactation in your dairy animals and pets with proven herbal-based formulas is a safe way to address decreased milk production.
Momma’s Baby
All natural products for both Momma and Baby. From cloth diapers, fuzzi bunz, and diaper covers to organic clothing, natural skin care, nursing supplies and gift baskets.
Mommy Moment
An assortment of products to support and soothe you during pregnancy, postpartum period, or when just trying to keep up with your kids.
ma! Motherhood With Attitude
Cards, free e-cards, and gifts that celebrate the mess and joy of motherhood.
Mums The Word
Motherlove products sold in the U.K.
Stella Maternity
A unique maternity and baby boutique for hip moms-to-be! Find hip maternity clothes, cool baby clothes, unique baby gifts, diaper bags, crib bedding and more.
Stork Radio
Rents and sells fetal heart monitors to expecting parents.
Strollers
Baby products from top manufacturers.
The Baby Lane
Quality Products for Mom and Baby.
The Pump Connection
A full service lactation center run by caring professionals for caring parents.
Vermont Diaper Company
Manufacturer of Organic Cloth Diapering supplies. With a strong social and environmental vision, our products are cut, sewn and finished by local Work At Home Moms (WAHM) earning a livable wage.
Pregnancy Links
Care Before and During Pregnancy
Folic Acid to Avoid Preterm Birth Risk
Pregnant Women, Good Sleep Is One Of The Best Ways to Assure A Healthy Baby
Pregnancy and Smoking Research
Weight Gain In Pregnancy Linked to Overweight in Kids
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy
Pegnancy - Timing is Everything
Personal Care Ingredients Links
Get Smart About Organic Labels
Lanolin and pesticide chemicals
Recent Reports on Chemicals in Cosmetics
Test Results For 1,4 Dioxane in Leading “Natural” and “Organic” Brands
