Our skin is the largest organ, and almost everything put on it, gets absorbed. When inside, it can either give us wonderful benefits, or it can slowly start to corrupt our body. Just as there are unhealthy foods, there are also unhealthy skincare products - which over time do more harm than good. They may appear to be benefitting your skin, but internally they may be causing damage. Many synthetic ingredients in skincare have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, dry skin, Alzheimer’s and skin allergies.
On the other hand, there are so many amazing benefits of natural ingredients. Things such as essential oils can tone the skin, decrease wrinkles and help remove pigmentation. Many oils and butters can improve or even get rid of dry skin conditions, all without the need of harmful synthetic ingredients. If you want the best for your health, skin and hair - natural is the way to go.
So, how can you avoid these synthetic chemicals? Well, the first thing to do is to check your labels – not only on the front, but make sure to look at the list of ingredients listed on the back. If you don't, you could be caught out thinking your getting a good natural product – when in reality, it's not natural at all. This is called ‘Green Washing’, and many companies do it, by naming their products after a natural ingredient, or having the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ in their company name – even though only a small portion of their product contains natural ingredients. Additionally, simply because a product is well known and expensive, it in no way means that the company has used better quality ingredients than the cheaper brands.
Most people don’t check the ingredient lists, because they just don't understand it - but you don’t have to be able to understand it, just look at the ingredients to avoid (I've stated them below), and if you spot one - don’t buy the product. It’s that simple. When buying skincare online make sure that a list of ingredients is available. Most of the time, natural skincare brands will provide a full list of ingredients.
Here are the ingredients to avoid
Petroleum jelly, (SLS)Sodium Laryl sulphate, Parabens, Mineral oil, Synthetic fragrances usually listed as parfum, synthetic colours, Aluminium, Phenoxyethanol, DEA (diethanolamine) which is restricted in the EU, MEA ( monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine)
Many synthetic ingredients also effect marine life so avoid these too if you are eco- friendly.
Microbeads this has started to be banned in many countries,
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), Triclosan, synthetic sunscreens and silicones.
Thank you for reading
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