Why use natural skin care products?Clean Skin CareToxic Cosmetics, Toxic BodyWhy use natural skin care products? Our skin is the largest eliminatory organ in the body. It is a two-way membrane. Toxins are eliminated through the skin via perspiration and absorbed through the skin into the body’s circulation system, through hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Every square inch of your skin has hundreds of open mouths, absorbing into the body most of what is put on it. This is both good and bad. Good, because it means our skin can be nourished from the outside with healthy ingredients. Bad, because many skin care manufacturers use harmful chemical ingredients that we would never take orally, but through our skin we are eating it. It is a medically recognized fact that our body absorbs significant amounts of what we put on our skin. The toxic ingredients many manufactures use in make-up and body care products have been linked to many health concerns including immune system diseases, neurological disorders, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, hyper-sensitivity, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders and childhood health problems. With certified organic food rapidly becoming the nutrition of choice by the health conscious, why would we accept any less for our skin? We carefully review the labels of everything we eat, yet do not think twice about slathering on a lotion or shampooing our hair with a product containing chemicals such as: Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens- Recent studies have implicated parabens as being associated with breast cancer and are known to be toxic or Diethanolamin (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) – Which can form cancer causing nitrosamines, also very toxic when used over a long period of time. Environmental Working Group (EWG) found ingredients certified by the US government as “known or probable carcinogens” in one of every 120 cosmetic products on the market, including shampoos, lotions, make up foundations, and lip balm. What this adds up to, says the group, is that “one of every 13 women and one of every 23 men are exposed to ingredients that are known or probable human carcinogens every day through their use of personal care products.” Also of particular concern are the inclusion of phthalates – a group of industrial chemicals linked to birth defects that are used in many cosmetic products, from nail polish to deodorant. Phthalates are not listed as ingredients on product labels; they can only be detected through laboratory analysis. Two of the most toxic phthalates, DBP and DEHP, have been banned from cosmetics products sold in the European Union (EU) but remain unregulated in the US. The average person’s morning routine puts him/her into contact with over 100 chemicals before breakfast, the cumulative effect of all of the chemicals in these products can add up over time, and no one truly knows what the results are. According to “National Geographic,” studies, various chemicals from our foods and environment that indicate man contributes 700,000 tons of pollutants into the air every day, ranging from everyday household cleaners to cosmetics and hair dyes “One new chemical enters industrial use every 20 minutes,” says Paula Baillie-Hamilton, MD, only to join many hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals already in use. “As a result, the average person living in the developed world is now contaminated with up to 500 industrial toxins, few of which have been properly tested for harmful effects.” The easiest way to improve your health and take a step to heal the planet is to change to products you use on your body. It doesn’t take any will power, the way it does to stop drinking coffee or eating junk food. To find the healthiest personal care products for you and your family, Read and Scrutinize Ingredients! Utilize the internet to look up ingredients and learn about commonly used products that contain toxins. The EWG hosts an online database, Skin Deep www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. Here you can check the safety of many commonly used personal care products, from nail polish to shampoo and baby oil. If your specific product isn’t yet listed, you can enter the individual ingredients into the database. If the ingredient is not listed, it is not anything that has ever been tested to show concern. Learn the 10 top cosmetic ingredients to avoid and seek out products that DO NOT contain them. 1. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben – Used to inhibit microbial growth which extends shelf life of products. Causes allergic reactions and skin rashes. Shown to be weakly estrogenic. Associated with breast cancer. Known to be toxic. 2. Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) – Used as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents. Can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. DEA and TEA are ammonia compounds and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. Toxic when used over a long period of time. 3. Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea – Widely used preservatives. Primary cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. These chemicals release formaldehyde, which is toxic. 4. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate – A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos for its foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase “comes from coconuts.” It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions. 5. Petrolatum – An inexpensive mineral oil derivative used for its emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value and interferes with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. 6. Propylene Glycol – Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware – these are related synthetics. 7. PVP/VA Copolymer – A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. Considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs. 8. Stearalkonium Chloride – An ammonium compound used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Toxic. 9. Synthetic Colors – Used to make cosmetics “pretty,” synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic. If a cosmetic contains them, don’t use it. 10. Synthetic Fragrances – The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics have as many as 200 chemicals. There is no way to know what they all are, since on the label it will simply read “fragrance.” Don’t buy a cosmetic that has the word “fragrance” on the ingredients label. Mahara is dedicated to the use and sales of only natural and organic products at WELSTAR. She has formulated the WELSTAR product line of over 200 organic, natural body care products. Mahara’s training and education include Herbology, Armomatherapy, Aesthetics, Reiki, Reflexology, Color & Light Therapy, Flower Essences, Massage Therapy, Doula (childbirth assistant) Certification, Graphic Arts and Art Therapy. It is from this extensive background that she draws her knowledge of wellness therapies and has adopted her philosophy, “Treat it with Love”. Mahara lives with her spouse and daughter in E. Orleans, MA. Last updated: December 17, 2008 |
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