Organic Products That Won't Irritate Your Skin

Organic. Natural. Cruelty-free. Whatever you call it, many people are working hard to eliminate needless chemicals from their life and beauty routine.

Of course, everything is made of chemicals—even water is a chemical—and companies can slap the "organic" label on just about any product. That leaves consumers facing a dizzying array of products, unsure whether it's worth paying extra for something that claims to be natural.

Many people with allergies or sensitive skin truly need natural beauty products to reduce their risk of an ugly reaction. No one wants to turn their skin into a real-world experiment.

So how can you choose? Here are five organic beauty products that really won't irritate your skin.

Sulphate-Free Shampoos

Think you need a rich lather to get clean? That type of thinking might be damaging your hair and skin.

Sulphates are the harsh detergents that create foam in shampoos and soaps. The dirty truth is that lather is unnecessary; your hair can get clean without a single bubble.

In fact, sulphate-free shampoos may actually be better for your hair, since they don't strip your scalp of its natural oils. This means your scalp won't overreact by producing excess oil, and your hair will likely be more manageable.

Natural Skin Oils 
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Skin oils have gotten a bad reputation, since excessively oily products can cause breakouts in acne-prone people. The problem isn't the oils themselves but too many oils in a single product.

You can circumvent this problem by using a single natural oil. Argan oil is unlikely to irritate your skin, moisturises better than any lotion, smells great, and won't cause breakouts. You can try pure argan oil or a product that's rich in this super emollient.

Oatmeal-Based Products
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Oatmeal is a virtual panacea for skin woes, especially severe dryness, allergic reactions, and eczema. Dermatologists routinely recommend oatmeal baths to people who struggle with skin conditions.

Try mixing oatmeal with your lotion or pouring some oatmeal into your next bath for a skin-softening soak. Not ready to adopt a do-it-yourself approach? Try oatmeal-based First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream for soothing moisture.

Perfume Oils 
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Gone are the days of perfumes with strong "sillage" (pronounced "see-YAHZH")—the industry term for the trail of fragrance left by a perfume. We now know that heavy perfumes can irritate innocent bystanders, cause migraines, and even produce allergic reactions.

This doesn't mean you have to give up fragrance altogether. Instead, try a simpler approach by embracing perfume oils.

From lemongrass to lilac, peppermint to patchouli, you're sure to find a fragrance you love. Mix some in your favourite lotion, or try pairing two or more oils together for a unique perfume made from the earth's most luscious ingredients.

Natural Cleansers
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Unlike a public toilet or hospital floor, your skin can get clean without being scrubbed into oblivion. However, the ingredients in many skin cleansers suggest otherwise.

Even for oily skin, gentle cleansing is all you need—no harsh suds or detergents, and certainly not an aggressive approach with your hands or washcloth.

Try a natural cleanser; you might be surprised by how quickly your skin improves. 
​Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser won't destroy your skin's natural balance of oil and works well for all complexions.