The majority of Skin care products like moisturizers, lip balms, face lotions, makeup removers available in the market today are made of harmful chemical ingredients which not only has negative impact on our skin but can lead to cancer, fertility issues and organ toxicity. When these skin care products are applied to your skin regularly, Chemicals, artificial colors, and fillers in makeup can cause redness, irritation, and breakouts which can also damage our cells, hormone system and lead to various diseases and chronic conditions. Artificial fragrances are also designed to cover up the smell of other chemicals used in traditional health and beauty products. The effect is that you have a chemical to cover up another chemical, and all those chemical smells can cause headaches in many people.
Products made from conventionally produced ingredients can have a negative environmental impact too. The manufacturing of chemical-heavy health and beauty products puts those chemicals, and many more, into the air and water, and even more go down your drain in your own home. When ingredients for natural health and beauty products are farmed and manufactured organically, fewer chemicals are put into the air and water which paves a way to save our skin and also our environment.
Chemical ingredients you want to avoid in your skin care products
- Parabens are preservatives commonly found in personal skin care products and beauty products. Manufacturers love them because they prevent mold and bacteria from building up in the product allowing it to last longer. Parabens have been shown as a potential danger in animal studies.
- Harsh Sulfates – SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate), SLES, Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Myreth sulfate, Olefin sulfonate (deodorized kerosene) are chemicals reported by the American Journal of Contact Dermatitis to cause irritation.
- Triclosan an anti-bacterial chemical often found in skin care products can cause skin irritation.
- Thimerosal a mercury-containing preservative. Mercury may cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and adverse effects on the nervous system. Studies have also show that it can affect reproduction. Thimerosal is used as a preservative for products applied in the area of the eye, such as eye drops and contact lens solutions.
- Fragrance – This is where many toxic chemicals are hidden under, including synthetic fragrances containing phthalates – a plasticizing material used in polyvinyl chloride PVC which can mess with your endocrine system.
- Retinol – Organ toxicity
- Isopropyl Alcohol – Organ toxicity
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (Butilated Hydroxytoluene)
- Petrolatum
- Isobutane
- Hydroquinone
- Phthalates
But when we say we want to switch to Organic and Natural chemical free products; we really need to understand what those products are:
Organic vs Natural?
When we say Natural and Organic products, A product can be natural and organic, but not all-natural products are organic, nor 100 percent natural. It’s important for all of your skincare to be natural for your overall health, but the benefit of using natural and organic skincare provides your skin with the purest form of the ingredient on the market. If it says “natural,” read the label fully. If it says “organic,” make sure it’s labeled USDA certified organic.
If the product is USDA certified organic, that means it is made of 95 percent or more of organic ingredients derived from plant sources. All of these ingredients were grown without pesticides, bioengineered genes, or petroleum-based fertilizers, which could be toxic to the environment. Also, these ingredients were farmed using organic farming methods that recycle sources and promote biodiversity. Natural products are simply derived from natural sources without added synthetic compounds.
When ingredients are natural and organic, everything is naturally scented. Your rose cream is made from real rose water and your essential oils are from the real plant rather than artificial scents.
You don’t believe that there are many natural moisturizers and natural skin care products you can find in your kitchen itself which are very good for your skin and they are all chemical free.
- Honey
- Coconut Oil
- Turmeric
- AloeVera – Rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, heals and soothes
- Avocado Oil
- Almond Oil
- Cucumber
- Yogurt
- Castor Oil
- Rose Water
- Hemp Seeds
- Shea Butter
Important things to consider when you switch to Chemical Free Natural care products
Look for the Ingredients label on the product you are purchasing and if the product has mostly chemical ingredients then it’s not a natural or organic product. Below is a quick and easy reference for comparison to provide insight on how a chemical free natural and organic product looks like. A true chemical free and natural skin care product contains ingredients which you can identify and are mostly plant based like fruits and vegetables.
Beauty is created in two ways, the foods that you eat, and what you apply on your skin. It’s not only important to know what ingredients you are applying to your skin but also you need to know what ingredients you are eating and feed your body with foods that promote beauty and vitality. If you want a healthy glow, then start by eating foods rich in nutrients and minerals that nourish your cells and make your inside blossom and dance with joy. Be smart when choosing what use on your skin and actually do yourself good in the process and make a better choice now in switching to Chemical free Natural and Organic products.