The skin is your body’s biggest organ. It’s also the biggest gateway for toxins to get inside. It’s not only what you eat, but what you put on your body that is vital to your health. Yet, conventional bath and beauty products are riddled with harmful chemicals. Read on to find out why it’s important to take notice of what you put on your skin.
Our skin absorbs 60% of any topical product we use! More than 10.000 various ingredients are permitted for use in our personal care products. Many are hazardous to our health, but they are allowed in products we use every day.
The Most Hazardous Chemicals in Your Beauty Products
1. Toluene
It’s a petroleum by-product found in nail polish and cosmetics. This neurotoxin can affect brain function and the central nervous system. It can also interfere with normal fetal and childhood development.
2. Synthetic Formaldehyde
This is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), highly toxic and often found in nail polish and hair relaxer. VOC’s vaporize can cause indoor air pollution. This one is toxic to the liver and it’s carcinogenic.
3. Aluminum
This widely used toxic metal can be found in almost everything from antiperspirant deodorant, shampoo to nasal spray. Because the aluminum based compounds such as deodorants are applied to the skin near the breasts, there is increased concern the chemicals may be absorbed and cause estrogen-like effect, eventually disrupting the function of the endocrine system.
4. Parabens
These synthetic preservatives are used regularly in cosmetics, personal care products and even baby lotions. Parabens have been linked to interruption of normal endocrine system functioning and severe allergies. According to the environmental working group’s skin deep database, over 25.000 personal care products were found to contain parabens.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
This industrial chemical is designed to clean and create foam. The detergent is typically found in liquid soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Although not fundamentally harmful, ethoxylation (the chemical manufacturing process) can contaminate products with 1.4-Dioxane, a carcinogenic by product that suppresses the immune system.
6. Synthetic Fragrance
Made with petrochemical-based oils, these chemicals, specifically phthalates are found in conditioner, deodorant, soap, shampoo, lotion, and perfume. Phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption.
Pucker Up
Conventional lipstick, the most universally used makeup, actually contains some of the most dangerous chemicals perfectly packed into a tube. And we put it right on mouth! Lipsticks contain lead, and lead is a highly toxic metal that stays in your system and can cause immense damage. Lead is associated with a range of neurological problems, blood disorders, depression, as well as behavior and learning disability in children.
Protect Yourself
You may have previously thought only UV rays can be harmful to your skin. Now that you know about toxins in products, it’s time to re-think even the kind of sunblock you’ve been using. Bath, beauty and skin care products should be made with pure, organic pigments, oils, fragrance and butters. The product must be certified organic with extracts from jojoba seed, shea butter, organic sunflower oil, and the content should be made with pure, mineral pigment.
A pink ribbon on products in support of breast cancer may instead be a way for brands to cash in on the disease. Many of these actually contain the very chemical experts link with cancer. Don’t be blinded by the pinkwashing side of the industry and be sure to check the label.
Choose products that are free from toxins, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrance, color and mineral oils.
Instead of introducing a variety of toxins into your bloodstream, which is what you’re doing each time you wash with non-organic soap, choose a chemical free product. Not only it will benefit you, it will also protect you from dangerous health risks. Your skin won’t be the only organ grateful you switched.
Read more: The Right Choice of Anti Aging Products