What To Look For In Natural Cosmetics
What to Look For in Natural Cosmetics.
With several reports being released about the dangers of synthetic chemicals in products that we use daily, people increasingly have become interested in living a toxin-free life. Our skin is the biggest organ in our body, and it has the potential to absorb many harmful chemicals through its pores. We must take special care to avoid these chemicals in our cosmetics. The solution is natural cosmetics.
Like most things though, all natural cosmetics are not all equal. There are some dos and don'ts of chemical-free cosmetics. Below there are some ingredients to avoid, some ingredients to look for, and some useful resources for finding the best natural cosmetics:
First, some ingredients to avoid -
Dioxane is a key chemical to avoid in cosmetics products. It is often found in
shampoos, toothpastes, and deodorant. It is used because it makes cleansing agents feel less harsh on the skin. The problem is that Dioxane is a known carcinogen. In California, it has been labeled as a cancer causing chemical.
Mineral oil is used in many creams and lotions. It is a cheap and easy chemical to use in order to help the texture of these creams. Mineral oil, however, clogs pores and doesn't allow your skin to "breath." Look for products without mineral oil.
Alcohols are important to avoid in your search for natural cosmetics. Ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol are commonly used in skin care products. These alcohols can dry out and irritate your skin. They can also damage your skin's defenses making you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.
Finally, likely the most well-known chemicals to avoid are parabens. Parabens are common preservatives used in skin care products in order to increase shelf-life. However, studies on parabens have found that they are carcinogens (they have been found in cancerous tumors, and are especially linked to breast cancer.) They also can often lead to the development of allergies and rashes. Always avoid parabens in your makeup and cosmetics choices.
Now for some things to look for in your natural cosmetics -Look for products that use primarily roots, plants, minerals, botanicals, and vitamins. Many natural cosmetics include plants and botanicals that can greatly benefit your skin, making you look younger in the long run. One example is kelp. Several types of kelp used in natural cosmetics act to block your body's release of hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase breaks down acids on your skin that keep you looking young and healthy. By blocking hyaluronidase, kelp keeps one looking young and full of life.
Some final tips -Ideally, though, there are no specific ingredients to look for in your natural cosmetics. The best way to make sure you are getting the safest products is to follow the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) tips on safe cosmetic shopping: Use fewer, simpler products. Don't trust claims like "dermatologist-tested," "natural," or "organic." Read the ingredient label instead. Take label warnings seriously. They indicate hazardous chemicals.
Another helpful tool is the Environmental Working Group's SkinDeep Cosmetic Safety Database (Link: Always check all natural cosmetics with this database before purchasing. For best results, look for products that are listed in the most discriminating range for products evaluated: between 0 and 2 on the EWG's ranking scale.
Also, one can make their natural cosmetics shopping easier by only using brands that are dedicated to being chemical and toxin-free. For example, Avalon Organics is a brand that is dedicated to using only sustainably grown organic ingredients for their products. Another pure skin care brand is Jane Iredale.Jane Iredale was one of the first brands to use only pure minerals in their natural cosmetics, creating high quality results with natural beauty.
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