Why natural and fresh skincare matters

Facial-cleanser-for-sensitive-skin-abloomnova.net_-1600x1068 Why natural and fresh skincare matters

It is so easy to get seduced by cheap but beautifully packaged products in shops. With our budgets being stretched, the amount we can spend on natural and fresh skincare is often restricted.

However, our philospophy is to buy only good, necessary products. If we have dry skin, get a good quality, effective moisturiser. If we want an anti-ageing treatment, invest in a well recommended serum. We don’t need a bathroom cabinet bursting at the seams, but we want a few high value tools that do the job that we need them to do.

With this in mind, we wanted to outline why some products are cheap and others are expensive. With the help of TrueBalanceWellness, we got to grips with the benefits of buying natural and fresh skincare and the perils of going cheap.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health studies found over 800 toxic ingredients in body care products.  Over 700 of them caused acute toxic effects and over 300 caused developmental abnormalities.  These chemicals may absorb into your body and brain three times faster than water.

The word “natural” can be used by a manufacturer if only 10% of the substance is natural.

Non-toxic can mean up to ½ of the animals tested in a lab died within 2 weeks.

Baby shampoos that state “no more tears,” may have added anaesthetics to prevent feeling the burn leaving dangerous chemicals in the eyes even longer.

Skin cleansers on the market strip the skin of its natural oils, alkalinising the pH leaving it unprotected and exposed to many chemicals, causing prematurely aging skin.  The dry and tight “clean” feeling is not healthy.

It is important to note that the most harmful toxic chemicals in skin care products today contain the following ingredients:

  • Butyl paraben
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • DEA (Diethanolamine)
  • MEA (monoethanolamine)
  • TEA (triethanolamine)
  • DMDM Hydantion
  • Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
  • FD&C Color Pigments
  • Fragrances
  • Methyl Paraben
  • Mineral oil
  • Paraben
  • Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
  • Butylene Glycol
  • Sodium Laurel Sulfate
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  • Triclosan (used in anti-bacterial products – VERY bad. Use grapefruit seed extract and essential oils instead)
  • Othoxalation (this is a process, not an ingredient so it is not on the labels. It is used in cleansing products and very carcinogenic)

Source: Hoffman, Susan, herbalist. Skin Care Fact Sheet.

On the otherhand, there are some incredibly beneficial ingredients that make incredible products, with things that can be found in the average kitchen.

  • Olive oil is very nourishing to the skin, rich in antioxidants and good fatty acids. Use as makeup remover, skin moisturizer, hair conditioner, cuticle treatment.  Do not cook food with olive oil over 200 degrees (medium heat).  Use coconut or grapeseed oil instead.
  • Coconut oil which is useful in fighting free-radicals can be used for preventing liver spots/blemishes, keeps tissues strong to prevent sagging and wrinkles. Good hair conditioner, massage oil, foot smoother, lip balm, eye makeup remover and lash conditioner.
  • Grapeseed oil nourishes skin particularly for oily skin. Potent antioxidants for anti-aging benefits.  Useful for sun-damaged skin.
  • Almond oil good for dry, aging skin. Good for use in massage.  Rarely causes skin irritation.  High in vitamin C and E.
  • Aloe Vera gel aids wrinkles. Can help stimulate growth of new collagen and elastin in the skin.  Use as overnight spot treatment or mask.  Can help heal pimples, calm redness and enrich your skin.  Use with moisturizer to keep skin nourished but not oily.  Acts as an astringent to clean the skin, an anti-inflammatory agent to calm the skin and a moisturizer.

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