It is so easy to get confused when it comes to skincare, whether it be for you, your new baby, or the rest of the family. Do you choose natural skincare, organic skincare, the cheapest in the shop or that favourite brand that you have used forever?I never really used to care what brand I used. If it was on special I bought it, if it smelt nice I bought it. If I got a reaction to it I just moved onto the next product. Seemed pretty simple really!
That was until I learnt a few facts about skincare, and about the ingredients that are used so commonly in them. Our skin is a major organ of our body and it is medically recognised that our skin absorbs significant amounts of whatever we put onto it. So it makes sense to choose very carefully what we put on our skin.
The average person uses 9 personal care products per day, exposing us to an average of 126 chemicals a day!! Tiny bits of exposure every day adds up to huge exposure over a lifetime!
Top 10 chemicals to avoid in skincare:
Urea
Common preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, that is irritating to the mucous membranes and known to cause contact dermatitis, headaches and internal bleeding.
Common preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, that is irritating to the mucous membranes and known to cause contact dermatitis, headaches and internal bleeding.
Parabens
Common preservatives that are linked to breast cancer.
Common preservatives that are linked to breast cancer.
Phthalates
Commonly used as a plasticizer in everything from skincare, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume to hair products and deodorants. Known to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. Suspected of causing birth defects, lowering sperm counts and a breast cancer risk.
Commonly used as a plasticizer in everything from skincare, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume to hair products and deodorants. Known to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. Suspected of causing birth defects, lowering sperm counts and a breast cancer risk.
Mineral Oil
Examples: mineral oil, petroleum, liquid paraffin
A petroleum by-product that interferes with the skin’s natural functions, clogs the pores, exacerbates acne, and is highly likely to be contaminated with carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer.
Examples: mineral oil, petroleum, liquid paraffin
A petroleum by-product that interferes with the skin’s natural functions, clogs the pores, exacerbates acne, and is highly likely to be contaminated with carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer.
Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Made from the same chemical that is used to create anti-freeze, this chemical easily penetrates the skin and is linked to damage of the liver, kidneys and brain.
Made from the same chemical that is used to create anti-freeze, this chemical easily penetrates the skin and is linked to damage of the liver, kidneys and brain.
Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate
Commonly used foaming agent that is considered a skin irritant and carcinogen, and is known to cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. It is often disguised in “natural” products with the term “derived from coconut”. It is particularly irritating to the eyes.
Commonly used foaming agent that is considered a skin irritant and carcinogen, and is known to cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. It is often disguised in “natural” products with the term “derived from coconut”. It is particularly irritating to the eyes.
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
These chemicals can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic product to form potent carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines.
These chemicals can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic product to form potent carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines.
Formaldehyde
Commonly found in nail products, this chemical is a known carcinogen, allergen and irritant. Commonly used synthetic preservatives, such as diazolindyl and imidazolindyl urea, break down to release formaldehyde.
Commonly found in nail products, this chemical is a known carcinogen, allergen and irritant. Commonly used synthetic preservatives, such as diazolindyl and imidazolindyl urea, break down to release formaldehyde.
Synthetic Fragrances
Many fragrances are phthalates (ie. toxic carcinogens and hormone disruptors). Fragrances are considered to be one of the top 5 known allergens and are known to cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.
Many fragrances are phthalates (ie. toxic carcinogens and hormone disruptors). Fragrances are considered to be one of the top 5 known allergens and are known to cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.
Examples: FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Red 40
Labeled FD&C or D&C followed by a number, they are known to cause skin irritation and sensitivity. Many are also believed to be carcinogenic.
This is just a short list of chemicals commonly found in skincare. It is also really important to note that so called natural products, and sensitive skin products, very often contain a cocktail of chemicals. Pay particular notice to what you are using on babies and young children, as their immune systems are still developing.
With so many wonderful organic products available we can avoid exposing ourselves and our families to these harmful chemicals.
Here are some of my favourites, please add your own to the comments below and share the wonderful products!
Miessence - Certified Organic Skincare
Margaret River Savi
Ayana Organics
Baby Concepts
Milk
