Pay attention to what goes ON your body. Skincare is just as important towards your health.
What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put into our bodies. Do you know that approximately 80% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies? For those of us who are concerned about the numerous chemicals found in many of the skincare products out there, it can be very helpful to read labels! Many contain ingredients linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and even cancer. But how do you know which products are safe?
There are several ingredients that you should look out for when choosing skin care products.
Keep reading for a glimpse into the main ingredients that are best to avoid yet are often found in many products (even the ones touted as “natural.”
The first is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that can be found in many personal care products such as soap, shampoos, toothpastes, and tooth whiteners.; it is also used as a surfactant in industrial cleaners and degreasers. SLS helps water mix with oil and other liquids so that they can be dispersed evenly throughout the product.
SLS has been linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions, as well as eye damage if you get it in your eyes. It is also suspected of being an irritant for people with asthma or eczema.
Other ingredients worth avoiding are parabens: preservatives that prevent bacterial growth in cosmetics. Parabens are commonly used in skincare products to keep them from spoiling. The most common paraben is methylparaben, but propylparaben and butylparaben are also common ingredients.
Parabens can be found in everything from face wash to shampoo, body lotion to lip balm-- basically, any product you use on your body. They are not only used by cosmetic companies; they have also been added to medications for years because of their effectiveness in preventing bacterial growth.
The problem with parabens is that they can mimic estrogen when our bodies absorb them through the skin or mucous membranes like those found inside our mouth and nose; this could lead to serious health issues including hormone disruption and reproductive system damage if used long-term. While some studies have shown no connection between parabens and cancer risk, other studies have found evidence suggesting otherwise--so why take the risk? If you want to avoid parabens altogether (and their potential health risks), look for “paraben-free” labels on your favorite products.
If your product has a strong perfume-like smell, then it might contain synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances are man-made chemicals that can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and hormone disruption. They are often listed as “fragrance” on ingredient labels, so you may want to consider looking for “fragrance-free” products.
Fragrances often contain phthalates, another nasty chemical that has negative consequences to your health. Phthalates are chemicals that make plastics flexible. They are used to soften and increase the flexibility of cosmetics, hair care products, and other personal care items. Add phthalates to the list of known endocrine disruptors (meaning they can interfere with your hormones).
Phthalates have been linked to reproductive problems like infertility, low sperm count, and testicular cancer in men; they may also increase the risk of breast cancer in women who are exposed during pregnancy or childhood (because phthalates can pass through your placenta). In addition to these potential health risks for you personally, there is evidence that phthalate exposure causes birth defects in animals exposed either before conception or after birth--and that includes humans too!
The dangers of toxic ingredients in skin care products are often overlooked, but paying attention to these ingredients may be just as important to your health as what you eat.
There are many more toxic ingredients that you should look out for. A great website to help you navigate the world of skin care products is EWG.org. The good news is that there are many alternatives available today that are safe for your body and won’t cause any harmful effects over time. You can also make your own homemade products using natural ingredients instead of synthetic chemicals from factories!
Here’s to being healthy inside and out!