Maybe you're curious to know whether natural feels better and is better for you. Maybe you'd like to reduce your exposure to chemicals. Or maybe you've read some scary news about the potential health risks of an ingredient, only to learn that it's in your daily face cream. Whatever your reason, finding a truly "natural" product can be tricky.

"The FDA doesn't provide guidance on natural personal-care products, be they toothpaste or mascara, and there is no legal or medical definition of 'natural,' either," says New York City dermatologist Anne Chaps, M.D. Consumers will have more help if the Cosmetics Safety Act, currently under congressional review, becomes law; it will "mandate that the FDA regulate chemicals in cosmetic products, as it does in drugs and food," says Dr. Chaps. In the meantime — and it may be a long meantime — it's up to you to figure out which synthetic ingredients you want to avoid.

To help you decide, Good Housekeeping surveyed 900-plus readers to find out which synthetic ingredients topped their list of concerns. Then we asked experts to weigh in on which are simply annoying (for example, merely skin-irritating) and which may lead to more serious trouble (endocrine problems, or even cancer). Unfortunately, because research in humans tends to be scant, the risks in many cases are not well-known. But here is what we do know, and what you can do about five of the ingredients that worry you most.

NATURAL MAKEUP TIPS

Nothing is worse than a caked-on face of makeup. To avoid that too-much-makeup look, follow these tips to get a naturally flawless glow without piling on the products — always remember, less is more!

After I apply my makeup, I dab a sponge over my foundation and bronze r. It keeps from looking like my makeup is caked on." --Barbara, 13, Mechanics-burg, PA

"I wear a foundation that actually matches my skin tone! I see girls going around with orange faces, and I automatically know that it is NOT natural." --Gertrude, 21, Winchester, NY

"I put my bronze r on with a brush, not the applicator that comes with it. This keeps my face looking tan, and not blotchy." --Ramsey, 13, Lafayette, IA

"If you absolutely cannot go out without something on your face, I suggest Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation. It's very light and has many colors to match your exact skin tone. It's even light enough to sleep in." --Morgan, 13, Woodstock, GA

"Every day before I leave the house, I ask my mother if I have too much makeup on." --Hannah, 15, Goalmouth, ME

"Don't wear any foundation, your skin will look much softer and prettier. Wear a light pink lip gloss for a touch of color!" --Rose, 17, Appleton, WI

"Don't line the bottom lid of your eyes! Eyeliner there makes you look like a corpse!" --Julie, 16, Saint-Hubert, QUE, Canada

"Use a light pink or brown blush for a natural look, instead of a bright pink. Also, try a face powder, like Physician's Formula Powder Palette Mufti-Colored Face Powder, that has a mix of pink, green, and brown colors to blend into your skin."

"Before I put on my foundation, I apply lotion to my face. It keeps my makeup flaking, and looking like I have too much on!" --Christina, 16, Dandle, MN

"I use one coat of red lipstick, and then blot. Before I go out, I put on a natural-colored gloss over my lips. It gives me subtle red lips." --Aida, 17, Oakland

"Use brown eyeliner, black is too harsh and heavy." --Patty, 16, Rosales, NY

"Use bronze r, instead of blush, on cheeks, top of nose, and forehead. A sun-kissed glow is more natural than a pink one!" --Corrine, 14,

Foods to Eat Every Day for perfect Skin

hard, but it was possible, and less expensive than turning to pricey products. While some foods can aggravate your skin, others can enhance it. Check out a list of Are you tired of using different expensive and ineffective beauty products? It’s time to throw away all those ineffective products and start eating foods for perfect skin. I went from terrible acne five months ago to not having acne now. It was 10 foods to eat every day for perfect skin.

1. Red bell peppers

Red peppers are a tasty vegetable that can be enjoyed either cooked or raw. One red bell pepper contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. It also contains significant amounts of dietary fiber and vitamin B 6. Moreover, it is rich in carotids that can help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skill in, helping it look more youthful. Due to their carotids, red bell peppers are also great to fight acne.

A red bell pepper is a perfect, low calorie snack that contains about 30 calories and has a really satisfying crunchy bite. Keep slices of red bell peppers in the fridge, so you will always have something healthy and tasty to reach for when you are having a snack attack. The fiber that a bell pepper contains will help you to feel full longer with very little calories. Plus, you will have a flawless skin!