Skin is your largest organ and absorbs everything you put on it topically.  Simply put, if you would not eat it, don’t put it on your skin.  There are many factors attributed to the rise of cancer, skin disease, acidity, digestive disorders and disease in general and I believe one of the major factors is our skin care products.  Let’s talk about what to avoid and a few of my favorite natural skin care lines.

Consumers are putting toxic chemicals on their skin daily, which absorbs right into the blood stream which is pretty scary once you realize how harmful these ingredients are in the long run.  The shampoo you use, your makeup, lotion, body wash, detergent, toothpaste, perfume/cologne, sunscreen, etc. are generally made up of chemicals that cause harmful reactions in your body which in turn create a perfect breeding ground for cancerous cells, viruses, and germs to grow and flourish. 

Consumers are putting toxic chemicals on their skin daily, which absorbs right into the blood stream which is pretty scary once you realize how harmful these ingredients are in the long run.  The shampoo you use, your makeup, lotion, body wash, detergent, toothpaste, perfume/cologne, sunscreen, etc. are generally made up of chemicals that cause harmful reactions in your body which in turn create a perfect breeding ground for cancerous cells, viruses, and germs to grow and flourish. 

Remember my articles about being overly acidic and the harm it creates?  Acidic food is not the only ingredient that makes you acidic internally.  Environmental toxins and our topically used products are just as much, and maybe even more, the culprit behind creating acidic havoc on the body.  I am not trying to scare you I just feel it is so important for everyone to be aware of this and at least choose more natural skin care products for your babies and children please J

I want to recommend a book that gives you lists of harmful ingredients and how to read labels, plus here is a quote that is appropriate from, “The Safe Shopper’s Bible” by Dr. Samuel Epstein, MD, and Dr. David Steinman, MD:  “Government and industry have failed abysmally to protect consumer health adequately; at the very least, they have failed to inform consumers fully of the hazardous ingredients used in household products, cosmetics and foods. This glaring void leaves consumers at peril, uninformed and feeling powerless and frightened by the lack of information. One of the major reasons for our publishing the Safe Shoppers Bible is to empower you to transform your lifestyle into one that is healthier, more natural and in greater harmony with the health of our environment.”

Here is a list of ingredients to watch out for (I know there are more but these are some of the most common) along with some companies that I recommend made of natural ingredients…

1. Propylene Glycol– irritates the skin and “industrial anti-freeze” and the major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid
2. Propylene Oxide – This is a carcinogen and can irritate the eyes, skin, upper respiratory system, and lungs.  Used in making Propylene Glycol and is “used in fiberglass-reinforced plastics, foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cigarette tobacco, packaging materials, dyes, and hydraulic fluids.  Synonyms for propylene oxide are epoxypropane; 1,2-epoxypropane; methyl ethylene oxide; methyl oxirane; propene oxide; and 1,2-propylene oxide.  Derivatives of propylene oxide are polyether polyols; propylene glycol; di- and tripropylene glycol; poly (propylene glycol)s; surfactants; glycol ethers; and isopropanolamines.” –  according to the National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  So read your labels!
3. Mineral Oil (Petrolatum & Petroleum) – puts a layer over the skin not allowing it to breathe & will dry even more and can interfere with the body’s ability to perspire.
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate – carcinogenic & causes nitrates to enter the blood stream when used topically, for example in shampoo.  Drying and can irritate the skin
5. Sodium Fluoride – used in rat poison! Amazingly companies add it to toothpaste.  Fluoride in general is a dangerous toxic chemical that creates harmful damage to the body and should never be consumed from toothpaste, mouthwash, or water!!
6. Synthetic-based Glycerin – dehydrates the skin by pulling moisture out.
7. Fragrances – You are better off avoiding anything on a label that says “fragarance” added because over 200 synthetic fragrances are allowed to be added to products which are not natural and can irritate the skin along, can mimic your hormones and could even alter genital development in a fetus. 
8. Synthetic Colors – Not only do you see FD&C or D&C colors/numbers on skin care labels but they are commonly added to foods, specifically processed/refined packaged foods like chips, snacks, beverages, etc.  These are foreign chemicals that should always be avoided – all they do is add toxicity to the body.
9. Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Butlyl and Propyl Paraben) – These preservatives can negatively affect your hormones and can be toxic.
10. Cocoamide DEA, TEA, MEA (MSDS, diethanolamine & triethanolamine) -carcinogens found in products that create suds.  Can irritate the eyes, create allergic reactions in the body, cause dryness of skin and hair and can form harmful nitrosamines.

Natural Companies I use & Recommend:

On a more positive note, there are companies out there producing very natural products.  I recently came in contact with a family run company called “Things From Home Inc.” who makes their own homemade soaps, face creams, salves and lotions made from natural & biodegradable ingredients, their products are not boiled or heated and uses no sulfates/surfactants/detergents or chemical ingredients.  Interestingly they use fresh goats milk in their products, which has been used in European countries as a natural skin moisturizer and rejuvenator with a similar PH of the skin and hair, 5.5.  I have been using the goat milk soap even on my face for a few weeks and to my surprise did not dry me out and I have the most sensitive skin.  Plus I have been using their face cream daily and love it – great for all skin types.

The other line I love is Simply Divine.  I have used their Melon Face Oil for about 4 years and plan on alternating it with Things From Home face cream.  Simply Diving is 100% pure and natural and makes everything you can think of for the body, even masks, scrubs, shampoo, body wash, etc.

Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique are also favorites of mine but I know can be expensive depending on your budget.  That being said, Hauschka makes an amazing Day Oil which reacts with my skin similarly to the Melon oil by Divine.  Whether your skin is oily or dry, it balances you and leaves your skin radiating.

References:

• www.healthy-communications.com
• Sixth Annual Report on Carcinogens, published by the National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• The Safe Shopper’s Bible

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