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Organic skin care has a healthy ring to it, but the real meaning of organic products doesn't necessarily coincide with what consumers might expect. In fact, when a product is labeled as organic it means that it contains no artificial ingredients, petroleum-based ingredients or other unsafe ingredients.

Nevertheless, some ingredients that we may not consider natural or safe enough for our skin may still be considered within the guidelines of what is or isn't natural for skin care products. One example is petroleum. This ingredient doesn't seem like something that you would want to put on your skin, however there are several skin care products that do contain it. Therefore, the best way of having a say in what goes on your skin is by learning how to spot noxious ingredients on the product labels.

Stay Away From These Ingredients

Anti aging and organic skin care products should be able to help keep your skin looking young and healthy, however, not knowing which ingredients are good or bad can lead you to using products that can actually speed up the aging process and lead to dull skin and wrinkles.

Warning: Petrochemicals

This group of ingredients is derived from crude oil. Petrochemicals coat your skin and make it impossible for your body to eliminate toxins. They can lead to dull skin, and cause allergies and clogged pores.

Avoid anti aging creams that contain mineral oil, paraffin and petrolatum. This is especially important if you have oily or combination skin.

Stay away from Quats (Quaternary Ammonium Compounds)

These components are used in conditioning products. However, they have been linked with antibiotic resistance. Try and avoid using products that contain benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide, among others.

Don't Use Synthetic Colors

Most synthetic colors are made from coal tar and heavy metal salts. They can lead to eye wrinkles and dull skin because they produce free radicals. If the product labels contain the abbreviations FD&C or D&C, it is best to avoid purchasing that product.

Avoid Sulfates

These components are usually found in soaps, detergents and cleansers. If you have a hard time finding them listed in the ingredients list, look for their alias: sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. Sulfates are known to dry out the skin (remember dry skin is more prone to wrinkling), cause rashes and lead to ocular problems.

Avoid Certain Alcohols

Anti wrinkle creams should not contain alcohol because it dehydrates the skin and can lead to wrinkles. Alcohol can also lead to irritation and rashes, unless of course, the product you are using contains stearyl or cetearyl alchol. Both of these types of alcohol are acceptable ingredients in any wrinkle treatment cream.

It just takes a little time and research to find the ingredients that you should avoid. It's not too much to ask when looking for the best wrinkle creams out there.