Natural Skincare

We’re bombarded with chemicals everywhere in our daily environments and without healthy skin, we’re vulnerable to the effects of everything we encounter. The skin doesn’t discriminate against substances we put on our body either. It will absorb synthetics chemicals just as readily as it will absorb natural substances. It makes sense then that we try to minimize the amount of chemicals we place on our skin, as we know that they’re only going to end up in the blood stream, where they will potentially wreak havoc and disharmony in our bodies. So what should we look out for (or more importantly avoid) in a skincare range?

Well, there are actually very loose guidelines for skincare manufacturers about labeling their products with the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of brands are marketing their products as such, but when you have a look at the ingredients, it is often a chemical concoction with the addition of a few ‘natural’ extracts but in very small quantities. Genuine natural products contain only ingredients from plants and nature and are minimally processed. Organic products take ‘natural’ several steps further: they are made with non-GM ingredients that have been grown, raised, harvested, manufactured and preserved without chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or antibiotics – giving you products with fewer contaminants. Basically, you want to avoid products where the ingredient label makes you feel like you need a chemistry degree to decipher the meaning! Here’s a look at some of the most commonly used chemicals in the skin care industry today…

FD&C Color Pigments – The only purpose color pigments serve is to make the product look attractive. These color pigments are actually synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. These are often labeled on a product with a number following, such as FD&C Blue No. 1.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – You’ll find these ingredients in almost all cleansers that foam. These chemicals are even used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers…gross! Research indicates that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate causes inflammation of the skin and can weaken the immune system.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine) - These ingredients are again found in most products that foam. These hormone-disrupting chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic (causing or contributing to cancer) effects.

Triclosan - Triclosan is so toxic it is measured in parts per trillion. To illustrate, one drop of Triclosan in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools can cause hormonal disruption! This chemical is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient and is therefore found in most antibacterial soaps, lotions, and toothpaste.

Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol -  These are petroleum plastics that easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. PG is a solvent so powerful it dissolves through a stainless steel tank in 48 hours so it has to be stored in plastic drums. And people think that this is safe to put on our skin?!

Mineral Oil – A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging our pores. It interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. It slows down skin function and cell development.

Artificial Fragrances -  Just because a product may smell like sweet strawberries, doesn’t mean it actually comes from the real deal. Often the label on the product will give the illusion that the scent is natural with a picture of a flower or fruit and more often than not, this is simply not the case. Most fragrances are of synthetic origin. Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic.

The bottom-line? These commonly used chemicals aren’t healthy for your skin or your body! Nutrition and care for skin comes from both the inside and the outside. In addition to proper nutrition and exercise, sufficient sleep and plenty of water, your skin requires a daily regime that helps it regenerate and combat both internal and external factors. Natural organic skin care products can nourish your skin rather than stripping it of essential oils and introducing irritations such as fragrances, preservatives, harsh detergents and unnecessary chemicals. What is necessary however, is being mindful to what we put onto our bodies, as ultimately, it will end up inside our bodies. And after all, what’s inside really does count.

Live well, live long, live naturally

Renée x