Organic skin care is one of the fastest growing areas of the beauty industry. It's estimated that by using a range of body and skin care products, the average woman applies more than 200 chemicals to her skin a day. Because it is the one layer of our bodies that people see, having healthy skin is very important. Many people turn to skin care products in order to have healthy and youthful looking skin. There has been recent research that has found that the skin reacts positively various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Here are a few nutrients that are beneficial in skin care products

Silica is a trace mineral that will make the connective tissues, such as muscles, tendons, hair, and nails, stronger. It is important for healthy skin. If there is Silica deficiency in the body, the wounds of the skin will not heal as quickly. Silica is an ingredient in many good skin care products.

Zinc is a mineral, and one of the most important components of skin that is healthy. Acne may be a result of a zinc deficiency in the body. Zinc also controls the skins production of oil and can control hormones that bring about acne. Many health care products contain zinc, as it is very beneficial to the health of the skin.

Selenium ? Selenium can be an important ingredient in skin care products as this antioxidant mineral makes the skin have more elasticity. Selenium will also help prevent skin cell damage with free radicals. Selenium can prevent skin cancer because it protects the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.

Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which is essential since your body's natural collagen production decreases as you age. Collagen is considered a person's fountain of youth; it's responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. Studies have shown that vitamin C helps to minimize fine lines, scars and wrinkles.

Vitamin E is another an antioxidant that helps protect the skin form the sun's damaging ultra violet rays. A combination of Vitamin E and Vitamin A skin care products are very good at preventing various types of skin cancer. Vitamin E also helps with wrinkles and other signs of premature aging in the skin.

The promotion of skin repair and maintenance is how Vitamin A can help your skin. If you have a dry or flaky complexion you should look for skin care products that have Vitamin A as it can help with these skin problems. Vitamin A also helps reduce acne and other skin problems.

Kojic acid is a more recent remedy for the treatment of pigment problems and age spots. Discovered in 1989, kojic acid has a similar effect as hydroquinone. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus, and studies have shown that it is effective as a lightening agent, inhibiting production of melanin (brown pigment).

Cosmetic products require preservatives or bactericides to prevent them from being contaminated. Some of the most allergenic and irritating preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde, which is an irritant as well as a carcinogen and neurotoxin.

Many skin care products, both natural and from mainstream companies, contain either diethanolamine or triethanolamine (wetting agents), abbreviated on labels as DEA and TEA, and sometimes shown bound to other compounds as in cocamide DEA, TEA or sodium lauryl sulfate. Neither DEA or TEA is carcinogenic. However, if products contain nitrites - often present as contaminants and not disclosed on cosmetic labels -, their presence in cosmetics can cause a chemical reaction - leading to the formation of nitrosamines - most nitrosamines are carcinogenic.