5 Chemicals To Avoid In Skincare, Ecobold Blog

5 Chemicals To Avoid In Skincare

When we take the time daily to care for our skin we like to think that we are bettering ourselves. We use lotions, serums, cleansers, and powders in the hopes that we are providing our skin with what it needs to live a long and healthy life as the largest organ of our human body. Sure, there is probably an underlying motive of trying to look young longer, but what if the products we thought were benefiting our skin are actually harmful.

Most skin care products you find in abundance are filled with chemicals that are in fact harmful to you. The foreign language known as the “ingredient list” located on products can be your first clue that there is something wrong with applying that to your body. The skin absorbs these toxic ingredients, some making it all the way to your bloodstream.

1) Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate are surfactants used to create foaming in many cleansers and shampoos. These chemicals can also be found in engine degreasers and car wash soaps. What is most disturbing is this chemicals ability to be absorbed through all 5 layers of the epidermis and into the dermis where it is absorbed by the bloodstream. Not only does it find its own way deep into the skin but it also acts as a carrier for other contaminates. Bringing them down into the sensitive layers of the skin. To top it off once Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is absorbed it mimics the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This can cause havoc in the body possibly causing PMS problems, menopausal symptoms, decrease in male fertility, and increase in female cancers involving the Oestrogen hormone. Long term absorption may also result in liver, brain, heart, lung, and eye damage.

2) Parabens is an ingredient that has had lots of media time, and rightfully so. Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl are key words to look for when searching for these chemicals on your ingredient list and rest assured that you will see them. Parabens are used in 99% of all cosmetics. Mostly used as preservatives and antibacterials in creams, lotions, ointments, cosmetics, and deodorants. They to are absorbed through the skin and have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors as well as being detected in urine and blood samples. Once absorbed parabens mimic estrogen, and not in a good way like sweet potatoes. To learn more scientific details of parabens effects check out www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/chemicals-glossary/parabens.html

3) Another toxin to look out for is lead. This is not a chemical per-say but it is toxic to humans and it is found in almost all lipsticks, sunscreens, foundation, nail colors, and whitening toothpaste. It is proven to be a neurotoxin and has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems as well as playing a role in causing miscarriages, reduced fertility in men and women, and may delay the onset of puberty in girls.

4) Talc is another toxin in cosmetics that, like lead, occurs naturally. It is found in body powders, make-up foundations, and eye shadows. It’s fibers can have similar effects to asbestos when inhaled possibly leading to lung problems and ovarian cancer. It also has been known to be very irritating to sensitive skin.

5) After reading about these chemicals would you believe that you can also find formaldehyde in your skin care! Just like parabens, formaldehyde is used to preserve the products. It is also used to preserve corpses. Exposure to this very toxic chemical can cause health problems like respiratory tract and eye irritation, cancer, immune system damage and the onset of asthma. However, this isn’t surprising since it stops the degeneration of tissue enough to embalm a body.

It can be overwhelming to know what products to choose after learning about all the possible toxins contained in skincare. There are websites that you can use to find out if a product is more harmful than helpful. Check out www.ewg.org or www.cosmeticdatabase.com. As a consumer you have a voice in what you would like to purchase and you can demand safe products. Go to www.safecosmetics.org for information on how to take a stand against chemical ridden products.

This is an awesome guest post by our new friend Hollie Jean, a licensed esthetician in Savannah, Georgia. Make sure to get a facial with her if you're near by www.holliejean.com/services/facials/
You should follow her on twitter at @holliejean