SKIN DEEP

Natural with a little help

By DR. LESLIE BAUMANN

drb@drbaumann.com

Q:Can you recommend any natural or organic skincare products?

A: Absolutely -- I've tried quite a few! But first, a word of caution: Even when you see words like ''organic,'' read the label. Organic items are required to contain 95 percent organic ingredients only when you see the official USDA seal; furthermore, terms like ''natural'' have no official meaning. You may find these descriptions on excellent products, but they can also be a marketing tactic. That being said, these are some of my favorites:

• Burt's Bees products are affordable and widely available. I love the Marshmallow Vanishing Creme and Beeswax Lip Balm.

• Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins products offer particularly effective botanical blends, and the Origins Organics line is certified organic by the USDA's stringent standards.

• Liz Earle products combine top-notch ingredients with good old-fashioned luxury. Try the Skin Repair Moisturizer and Energising Body Scrub.

• Korres Magnolia Cleansing Emulsion is full of natural ingredients like aloe and almond oil to soothe and moisturize dry, sensitive skin -- and it's free of harsh detergents.

Many of my favorite products offer the best of both worlds. Consider soy: It's an excellent skin-lightening ingredient -- but only if its estrogenic components are removed. Otherwise, soy's plant estrogens can actually worsen hyperpigmentation. Brands like Aveeno and Neutrogena contain ''active soy,'' which has been stripped of those potentially negative side effects. Yes, it's created in a lab, but it's better for most skin types.

Dr. Leslie Baumann a board certified dermatologist at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. E-mail: drb@drbaumann.com