Shopping for a natural moisturizer is sometimes frustrating. What companies think of as naturally occurring ingredients is not the same as what I think of.

I think of plant oils; grape seed, olive, jojoba, Babassu, avocado, Shea butter and macadamia to name just a few. Those oils contain essential fatty acids that are very similar to the ones produced by the skin. They are quickly absorbed and leave no greasy feeling.

Mineral oils may be naturally occurring, but they are not compatible with the skin's own oils. They are derived from crude oil, from which we make gasoline. No essential fatty acids in that. Instead of moisturizing, they can actually contribute to dryness.

They always cause greasiness when they are applied and can easily clog the pores. If the use of a lotion has caused you to break out in the past, it probably contained mineral oil, sometimes disguised as petrolatum.

When I am shopping for a natural moisturizer, I think of vitamins and other nutrients. The skin needs nourishment just like the rest of the body. The processes that feed the skin's outer cells are less efficient than those that feed the inner ones.

It is possible to nourish the skin with topically applied lotions and creams. It all depends on the size of the molecules.

Many nutrients are too large to penetrate through the skin's surface and into all of its layers. For example, the proteins collagen and elastin cannot penetrate. While it is true that the skin's collagen and elastin content decreases with age, it is not possible to supplement the content with a topical lotion. It is possible to stimulate the skin's ability to produce more.

Avocado oil is one of the ingredients that have been shown to increase the skin's collagen content. My nighttime natural moisturizer contains avocado oil. My daytime cream contains grape seed oil. Grape seed oil is a little lighter than avocado.

Another protein that is important to the skin's health is keratin. Keratin can penetrate into the skin, as long as it is processed properly. If the processes used include harsh chemicals or high heat, the keratin cannot be used by the skin's cells.

The KERATEC Company in New Zealand holds the patent on the processed necessary to soften keratin, without rendering it inactive. They call their product Functional Keratin. Cosmetic companies can include the ingredient in any of their creams and lotions.

The benefits of a natural moisturizer containing Functional Keratin could include improved firmness, improved moisture content and reduced wrinkles. Your complexion may have a more even tone or color. The surface should feel smoother.

Concentrated plant fragrances, referred to as essential oils on a label of ingredients, are ingredients to avoid. While they might smell nice, they can cause allergic and adverse reactions.

All fragrances have an effect on your central nervous system, which includes your brain. The effect can be positive (relaxing, soothing, etc.) or negative (depressing, nerve-wracking, etc.). There is no way to tell how a natural moisturizer containing those fragrances will affect you personally. It's best to choose fragrance-free.