A Guide to Organic Body Lotion

The more you learn about holistic health, the more you realize less is truly more. When it comes to our skin this is especially true.

Our entire body does a really extraordinary job at self-regulating. It seems the only thing we need to do, is get out of its way. Typically, when the body is healthy, clean, free of toxicity and balanced, our skin has a way of regulating itself. Our skin is covered with trillions of cells of bacteria and this microbiome, when balanced, keeps the skin protected, healthy and even clean.

That being said, we need not cover our entire bodies head-to-toe in lotion, body cream and topical daily in order to maintain healthy skin. However, on the other hand, there are times that come when our bodies need our aid. Seasons’ change, hormones fluctuate, and we live in a generally more toxic world today; all things that can wear down our skin, requiring our special attention. Specific circumstances, such as harsh winter weather and dry desert heat can dry up our skin.

Many other factors can cause the skin to dry up, such as:

• Excess heat
• Dehydration
• Synthetic fragrances
• Conventional skincare products
• Excessive soap use
• Hard water
• Medications
• Poor diet
• Overzealous bathing
• Genetics

Even with a healthy lifestyle, there are many potential contributing causes of dry skin to occur, and when it does, as problem-solving beings, we will want solutions. However, not all lotions are created equal, and most common and conventional lotions and body butters are not only ineffective, but can make matters worse.

The Dangers of Conventional Body Lotion

Lotions are no exception when it comes to potential dangers of toxic parabens, harsh synthetic fragrances and other potentially cancerous carcinogenic chemical additives. The first step before finding and using a truly clean body lotion, is going to be first knowing what to avoid. When you are shopping for your next body lotion, pay attention to the labels and keep a look out for any of these ingredients:

Fragrance or Parfum

This is an industry word used for the chemical cocktail of hormone-disrupting phthalates and other synthetic ingredients that give the product its scent. Beware of them, they’re not natural (and some of them will even try to use the word natural).

Benzyl Alcohol

Not only do alcohols dry out the skin further, benzyl alcohol in particular is a carcinogenic compound.

PEG-100 stearate

This is another carcinogen that is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a chemical common in even otherwise “natural” skincare products. It is a chemical byproduct of ethoxylation. You’ll often see it sold as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which is an active ingredient in commercial floor degreaser. 1,4-dioxane is toxic to the kidney, liver and nervous system. It is also an environmental pollutant.

BPA

This harmful chemical is used to make most plastic bottles that body lotions come in. In studies, it has been linked to cancer, severe endocrine disruption causing early puberty and an increased likelihood of metabolic disease. This is why you should always buy your body lotions in high-quality, class containers or at the least, BPA-free plastics. 3

Other toxic ingredients to avoid

• Ingredients ending in “-eth”: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth
• PEG
• Polyethylene glycol
• Polyoxyethyelene
• Oxynol
• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
• Toluene
• Triclosan
• Propylene Glyco
• Parabens: Methyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Isobutyl Paraben
• Phthalates: Diethylhexyl Phthalate, Dibutyl Phthalate, Dimethyl Phthalate, Diethyl Phthalate

These are but a few of the common harmful ingredients in most conventional body lotions. Now that you are aware, let’s talk about to look for, so you can choose a high-quality, toxic-free and truly healthy body lotion. 

Choosing the Best

When it comes to choosing a healthy body lotion that will actually protect and nourish your skin, your first step is to avoid the aforementioned ingredients. Next, you will want to keep your eyes open for nutrient-dense, therapeutic, antioxidant-rich ingredients, known to soothe and heal the skin. Examples of these include:

Organic Fats

A healthy body lotion will feature an antioxidant-rich, medicinal fat or oil from nature. Examples would be cacao butter, organic olive oil, jojoba, as well as others.

Essential Oils

These are natures perfume, not only are they incredibly delightful to the senses, they contain high concentrations of antioxidants and other healing constituents. Organic essential oils should be the only “fragrance” in your body lotion. Some of the most pleasant and healing for the skin include Australian sandalwood, lemongrass, ylang ylang, and rosehips.

Herbs & Specialty Ingredients

The only foreign looking ingredients you will find on a high-quality, truly organic body lotion will be medicinal mushrooms like Chaga, tonic herbs like Schizandra and perhaps bee products such as beeswax, raw honey, and propolis.

A Few Special Ingredients You Want to See in Your Body Lotion

Organic Green Coffee Oil

If you’re lucky enough to cross paths with a skin care product that contains green coffee oil, you’re in for a treat. This antioxidant powerhouse will offer your skin a delightful treatment. It contains Chlorogenic Acid (CGA), an ester of caffeic acid that gives it very strong antioxidant properties. Its antioxidant content will protect your skin cells from the revenges of free radicals, conserving your skin's youthfulness and beauty. Green coffee beans are also rich in nourishing fatty acids and esters such as, Arahidic Acid, Linoleic Acid and Oleic Acid, all which deeply moisturize the skin, preventing wrinkles, sagging skin and can restore color to discolored skin.

Organic Acai Butter

Here is an ingredient you won’t find in just any body lotion or skin care product. Acai berries are one of the most powerful antioxidant berries on the planet and one of the only berries to actually contain omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. Acai possesses many impressive constituents that promote beautiful skin. It contains a rich amount of nutrients, such as omega-3, omega-6 and omega 9 essential fatty acids, phytosterols, vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, E and C, minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and potassium and essential amino acids. Vitamin C helps rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. It is also rich in an antioxidants anthocyanins, phytosterols, and phenols, protecting the skin from stress. Because of its rich amount of healthy fats and antioxidants, it is a superior moisturizer that can remedy dry or cracked skin. It also absorbs into your skin incredibly well. If you’re looking for a body lotion with these special ingredients and without any toxic ingredients, you should definitely try the Alitura Body Lotion. I hope this helps. Radiate Health! Andy Hnilo

The Alitura Body Lotion

"I must have back-ups of this body lotion in my house at all times and even in my car. It is like nothing else I have ever used and skin that WAS parched (while using expensive so-called organic healthy lotions) is now supple, glowing and itch free. I would take a bath in it if I could!" - Kristine W., Alitura Customer