The skin is the largest and also one of the most important organs of our body. It performs several vital functions including protecting the other vital organs, bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. So, it just makes sense to be extremely mindful of what we are putting on our skin.
Here’s why it is important:
Up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed. That means that the products we put onto our bodies affects our health and overall well being, either negatively or positively. Because the FDA does not regulate skincare, almost any ingredient can be incorporated in formula, some of them being super dangerous to your health.
A lot of ingredients found in traditional skincare products (face washes, lotions, sunscreen, etc) have now been linked to health issues such as allergies, eczema, cancer, hormonal disruption, and reproductive problems. So yes your skincare can make you sick!
Just like your body you want to feed your skin nutrients, not poison. Here are the 12 dirtiest chemicals that you should avoid in your personal products.
It is really important to read the ingredient lists thoroughly and not skim over words, especially the ones you can’t pronounce. I have a basic rule that applies to what I eat, any personal care or home cleaning products I use…“If I can’t pronounce or I don’t know an ingredient contained in a product I just don’t buy it.”
Your products should be made with pure, organic ingredients and should not contain toxins that could affect your health. As consumers we can demand that companies do better and are completely transparent with the ingredients in their products by the way we spend our dollars. Many companies are in the business of profit not your health. You have to be own best advocate for not only yourself, but your family and those you love.
When we know better we do better!
The 12 dirtiest Ingredients that you should avoid
- ALUMINUM – Toxic metal that can have estrogen-like effects in our systems, disrupting the healthy functioning of the endocrine system. Usually found in almost every personal care product, especially antiperspirant deodorants.
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine) – Clear, colorless, viscous liquids with ammonia-like odors. Usually found in products that foam like facial cleansers and soaps. They are also found in eye makeup , fragrances, hair products, and sunscreens.
- DMDM HYDANTOIN & UREA (Imidazolidinyl) – Preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches, and loss of sleep. Usually found in skincare products, cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, and detergents.
- MINERAL OIL – A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging its pores. This is incredibly harmful because it interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, therefore increasing likelihood of acne and other disorders. Usually found in creams, lotions, ointments, and cosmetics.
- PARABENS (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl) – Not always labeled, used as preservatives, and may contribute to hormone imbalance. Usually found almost everywhere including skincare products such as moisturizers and deodorants.
- PEG (Polyethylene glycol) – Ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products. Usually found in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.
- PHTHALATES – Chemicals used to increase flexibility and strength of plastics, and not often listed among the ingredients on products. Usually found in cosmetics such as fragrance oils and listed under the term “fragrance”.
- PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) & BUTYLENE GLYCOL – Gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state act as “surfactant”. They penetrate the skin so quickly and can weaken the protein and cellular structure. Usually used to make extracts from herbs.
- SILOXANES – Look for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
- SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES) – Detergent that makes products foam, lather, and bubble. Usually found in 90% of personal-care products that foam!
- SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES – Anything that is synthetic or artificial should always raise a red flag. These are made up of hundreds to thousands of different ingredients not listed on the label, so you are never sure what you are actually being exposed to. Usually found in cosmetic and skincare products but also many household products such as candles, air fresheners, and scented trash bags.
- TRICLOSAN – A synthetic antibacterial agent that may disrupt thyroid function and can degrade into a form of dioxin, a class of chemicals linked to a broad range of toxicities including cancer. Usually found in soaps, mouthwash, shaving cream, deodorants, toothpastes, etc.
