Organic Beauty: 20 Things You Need to Know Part 4

#13: Avoid Palm Oils, But Don't Avoid the Sun

Palm oil is found not only in popular food items including cookies and popcorn, it's also an ingredient in many cosmetics. Greenpeace urges those of us concerned about global warming, deforestation and the ruining of habitats for orangutans and Sumatran white tigers to not buy products with palm oil.

As for the sun, it's been vilified for causing wrinkles and skin cancer, but sunshine is what compels the body to produce Vitamin D, which is needed to strengthen immunity and bones and heal eczema, rashes, acne and psoriasis. Just make sure to exposure your skin in the early and late hours instead of the brightest points during the day. And supplement with Vitamin D pills if need be.

#14: A Healthy Deodorant

If you hate the idea of putting aluminum and other chemicals crafted in labs under your arms, try a natural deodorant. A couple popular ones that get rave reviews include Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Lavender, which contains no aluminum, and the Thai Crystal Stone.

The secret to using a stone is to apply liberally to a large swath under the arm (not just where the hair grows). You may need to wet the stone twice and leave the top off the cap so the stone can dry before you close it up. What's great about these deodorants is you won't get the yellow staining on your clothes that comes with the use of aluminum deodorants.

#15: Toners Are Full of Chemicals, Lemon Juice Isn't

Unless you have super oily skin, you do not need a toner. They are an extra step in your beauty routine and worse, an extra expense. And don't let the salesperson at the fancy department store counter tell you otherwise. She gets paid on commission (or her boss does).

A great natural toner for oily skin is lemon juice. This astringent may be too harsh for sensitive, sunburned or dehydrated skin. Put into a spray bottle the juice of half a lemon, 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 1/2 cup of warm water. Mist on the face, chest and back. This should last up to a week. Toners are controversial. Find out if you really need one in Is Toner Necessary?