Whatever preconceived or media-induced fiction someone might believe about natural and organic ingredients being better for the skin has no factual basis or scientific legitimacy.

Cosmetic companies either in blissful deception or outright ignorance sell products carrying the same fraudulent claims as their competition, ingredients that aren't really natural, or natural ingredients that are harmful for skin (yes, there are natural/organic ingredients that are bad for your skin). And just because an ingredient is synthetic doesn't make it a problem for skin.

It is important to realize that many natural ingredients can cause allergies, irritation, and skin sensitivities. Irritation or inflammation of any kind causes collagen breakdown, impairs the skin's ability to heal, and reduces its ability to defend itself from environmental damage.

All of the following common natural ingredients can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, skin sensitivity, and/or sun sensitivity:

• Almond extract
• Allspice
• Angelica
• Arnica
• Balm mint oil
• Balsam
• Basil
• Bergamot
• Cinnamon
• Citrus
• Clove
• Clover blossom

• Coriander oil
• Cypress
• Cottonseed oil
• Fennel
• Fir needle
• Geranium oil
• Grapefruit
• Horsetail
• Lavender oil
• Lemon
• Lemon balm
• Lemongrass

• Lime
• Marjoram
• Oak bark
• Papaya
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Witch hazel
• Wintergreen
• Ylang ylang

I'm not saying there aren't a large range of natural ingredients that are exceptional for the skin, because there are—lots and lots of them—but the idea that they are the "best" or only option for skin is just not reality. When formulating products for my Paula's Choice products, my team and I only select natural ingredients with a proven track record of beneficial results for skin and avoid any that are known irritants. Now that's natural done right!

Dr. Linda M. Katz, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Cosmetics and Colors stated in 2007 that "Consumers should not necessarily assume that an ‘organic' or ‘natural' ingredient or product would possess greater inherent safety than another chemically identical version of the same ingredient. In fact, ‘natural' ingredients may be harder to preserve against microbial contamination and growth than synthetic raw materials" (Source: New York Times, November 1, 2007).

Joan Shaffer, USDA spokeswoman stated that "…people should not interpret even the USDA Organic seal or any organic seal of approval on cosmetics as proof of health benefits or of efficacy," said. The National Organic Program is a marketing program, not a safety program. [Chocolate cake] may be [natural or organic] but that has no bearing on whether it is safe or nutritious to eat (Source: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/FactSheets/Backgrounder.html).