There’s natural, and then there’s natural

ALL-NATURAL: it’s the buzzword of the 21st century, and it covers everything from food, to clothing, to cleaning products, and on and on. But for our purposes, let’s focus on the idea of natural or all natural skin products. Should you blindly buy a product just because the label indicates that it’s made from “natural” ingredients? Well, that all depends . . .

Let’s face it—Nature isn’t always beautiful, and sometimes it can be downright dangerous! Think of hurricanes and rattlesnakes -they’re all products of nature, but most people prefer to keep them at a safe distance. Nevertheless, some companies insist on adding some very questionable products to their “beauty” products. They tout the enhancing properties of nightingale poop for the skin, bull semen for the hair, and ground pig placenta as a rejuvenating tonic (Yes, you’re supposed to drink it).

Proponents claim that these are break-through treatments, but revolting methods go back centuries. For example, Greeks and Romans used to soak in a mixture of mud and crocodile feces to tone their skin. And many women of the Middle Ages who thought that white skin was to die for? Well, they died. Apparently some of the professionals of that time recommended lightening skin with a concoction that included white lead.

Gratiae believes in using the finest natural ingredients, but you won’t find a single item that might turn your stomach. Take the Gratiae Lifting Moisture Cream, for example. The formula includes pure mineral water and organic plants and oils that are proven to bring about a better balance of moisture, renewal of skin cells, and a lifting effect that will minimize those expression lines. If you want something more exotic in your regimen, the volcanic stone is included to work with the cream to massage the deeper layers of the skin.