Should you make the switch to all-natural make-up? There are plenty of companies, advertisements, and “experts” who could probably give you a very convincing argument either way. Dr. Roberta Palestine, who did her residency at the Mayo Clinic in dermatology stated, “Natural isn’t always better. Synthetic isn’t necessarily worse. Poison Ivy is natural, but that certainly doesn’t make it good…a chemical is a chemical, what matters is your skin type.” There are certainly a lot of skin types out there, and you can bet for every type there’s a number of make-up products for that particular kind. Women who suffer from allergies and have been limited on their choices in make-up now have more options as more companies come out with products that are gentle on the skin and hypoallergenic. It should be noted that “hypoallergenic” has no medical definition, as it is yet to be determined what ingredients reduce allergens. So are natural make-up products all that they are cracked-up to be? A quick look at the ingredients list will tell the consumer what the main ingredients are on a product because they are listed in order of volume ratio. Often times, the ingredients will be listed on the packaging the make-up came in. Often women will be allergic to a product and not even realize it. Over the years, women get used to dry, irritated skin that comes from repeated use of the kinds of make-up they wear out in public and to work. Women who wear a foundation make-up to even out the skin tone on their faces will dry out and aggravate their skin so each day is a little worse. Women with sensitive skin should avoid products with fragrances, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and alcohol. These chemicals will all dry out the skin and cause irritation. When switching make-ups often times the skin will have to undergo an adjustment period. So women who are thinking about switching to natural cosmetics should go with it 100%. By doing this, the skin only has to go through the adjustment phase one time. If you are thinking about making the switch, it is important to consider the ingredients in a product that claims to be all natural. Do some research before trying out a new make-up line to see if it is a reputable company that uses quality ingredients and stands behind the products they produce. So should you make the switch? It’s a matter of personal choice but if you think the products you currently use are affecting your skin, at least consider it.