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Depending on who you're talking to, the word organic can mean different things. To someone in the food industry, it means that products are free from pesticides or growth hormones. However, in the skin care industry, it refers to products that do not contain artificial ingredients, petroleum-based ingredients, or other unsafe ingredients. Nevertheless, there are some skin care products that use the word even when the product it is used to describe actually contains petroleum and other noxious ingredients. After all, petroleum is not a synthetically produced product and should therefore be considered natural, at least that's their misguided point of view. This is why you should make a habit of reading product labels.

Ingredients to Avoid

The reason anti aging products exist is to help fight the aging process, however, there are a few ingredients that can actually speed up the aging process and lead to wrinkles, dull skin and other skin problems. Make sure to read the labels before buying any organic skin care products.

*Synthetic Colors

Synthetic colors contain heavy metal salts derived from coal tar. These components can produce free radicals and lead to eye wrinkles and dull skin. Avoid products containing FD&C or D&C colors if you want an effective anti wrinkle cream.

*Petrochemicals

This group of ingredients is derived from crude oil. Petrochemicals coat your skin and make it impossible for your body to eliminate toxins. Because it is difficult to eliminate toxins your body may experience dull skin, allergies, and clogged pores.

Stay away from anti aging creams that contain mineral oil, paraffin and petrolatum. This is especially true for people with oily or combination skin.

*Sulfates

These components are usually used to make soaps, detergents and cleansers. They are listed under the following names: sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. Sulfates dry out the skin and cause rashes, and in some cases have been known to cause ocular problems.

*Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

Quaternary Ammonium compounds are used in conditioning products, however, use them carefully because they have also been linked to antibiotic resistance. Try and avoid using products that contain benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide, among others.

*Alcohol

If you find alcohol in your wrinkle treatment then discard it immediately. Alcohol is known to dehydrate the skin and promote the development of wrinkles, irritation, and skin rashes. Stearyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol are the only two alcohol ingredients that your skin care product should contain.

This list doesn't contain all the ingredients you should avoid, but it is a good place to start. All you have to do is a bit more research, and you'll be able to find the best wrinkle creams out there.

However, not everyone has time to spare, so we've done some of the research for you.