It is important for a human being to take care of their health. There are many factors that affect the health of a human being. One thing for sure is what we eat and put on our skin has a direct effect on our health so it is important to pay attention to these. Some people might be careful about what they eat but they forget to have a critical eye on what they put on their skin too. Not all skin care products are made equal. They can be classified into 2 groups. Artificial skin care products and natural skin care products. In this article you will learn why it is so important that you always choose natural skin care products.
Did you know that most skin care products that you see in the market from popular brands contain all sort of dangerous chemicals? These chemicals can cause cancer, neurological disorders, skin irritation, hormone disruption, liver disorder and lung disease. We live in a business oriented society that is only interested in profit. Big skin care brands prefer to use all kinds of cheap preservatives, fragrances and colourings in their products to save in cost. Artificially made skin care product are not made with biodegradable substances and they turn out to be much more dangerous compared to natural skin care products made with naturally sourced ingredients like essential oils, butter, herbs and beeswax.
At least the FDA requires that cosmetic brands label their products. It is important to always read the label when buying a skin care product at the store. Then you will know whether you should spend your hard earned money on it or not. Here are some of the substances you need to be careful of.
Dangerous chemicals in skin care products
Parabens
It comes in different names. You might see Butylparaben, Iisoparaben, Propylparaben, Methylparaben. The name doesn’t really matter. This is the chemical that most popular cosmetic brands use to preserve their creams for it to have a much longer shelf life. The same substance is used in pharmaceutical industries. Studies have shown that parabens can cause cancer and stimulates an excess production of estrogen. Excess production of estrogen has been linked to breast cancer. By using products containing parabens on the skin, the substance is absorbed and enters the blood stream to influence the production of hormones. Yet the cosmetic industries are still using them because they cost less.
Phthalates
When reading the label look out for Dibutylphthalate (DBP, DEP, also butyl ester). DEHP is known to help the skin absorb quickly the chemicals from the skin care product. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it is a probable human carcinogen. Even after this news only the European based L’Oreal has stopped including this chemical in its products. The US based L’Oreal and many other companies still use it.
Natural skin care products may take more time to be absorbed by the skin but at least they don’t have any serious side effects.
Petrochemicals
Most skin care products sold in the market today contain synthetic substances much of which are petroleum based. Research on rodents has shown that those substances can cause kidney degeneration, anemia and brain damage.
The colour of skin care products are often induced synthetically. On the label, look for terms like Linoleamidepropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate,Guar Hydrosypropyltrimonium Chloride or Behentrimonium Chloride. These are all toxic ammonium compounds.
The fragrance that comes out of those products is also derived from petroleum. They may remind you of the aromas from essential oils but they are not. You may be tricked to think you can smell lavender when the reality is that you are not. Companies prefer petrochemicals because they are much easier and cheaper to produce.
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
Look on the label and check if you can find Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). This substance is used both in industrially made shampoos and soaps. It is the same substance that is used in engine degreasers albeit in a more diluted form.
Diazolidinyl Urea or Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
This is another preservative that is known to release formaldehyde which is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA. It has actually been banned in Europe.
The big difference between industrially made skin care products and natural ones is that natural skin care products are made of substances naturally occurring in nature. Oils used in naturally made products are derived from edible plants like coconut and orange. Some natural skin products can be made with pomegranates, mushroom or green tea. They are 100% safe even if they don’t have the same long shelf life as products filled with parabens.
The most important thing is to keep your skin healthy. Don’t be tricked by the low price of creams or lotions you see in big malls. Just because a well-known store sells the products does not automatically mean they are as safe as you might expect or assume. If you purchase them, in the long run the cost might be much higher for you in terms of skin irritation or worse. Read the label carefully, from an informed standpoint and make a wise choice. Just go natural and you will be fine.
Neil Maycock works in the health and wellness sector and recommends Aromatherapy Gold for essential oil and natural skincare products.
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