These days, a lot of people seem hell-bent on only using skin care products that contain all natural and organic ingredients. Knowing all about the harmful chemicals often found in certain products, we can’t say we blame them.
The problem with chemicals
For something that’s so huge, the beauty industry is not very highly regulated. This means that cosmetics manufacturers don’t need approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding what ingredients they put into their products. Consequently, many of the ingredients considered “safe” have actually been found to affect our health. In fact, almost 90% of a staggering 10,500 ingredients found in cosmetics have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA.
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While we can’t go through every potentially harmful ingredient, here are some that you should always aim to avoid:
Parabens
Phthalates
Triclosan
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Formaldehyde
Toluene
Propylene glycol
Beauty certainly is more than skin deep. Your skin acts more like a sponge than a barrier, so much so that we absorb almost every one of the 130 chemicals we regularly expose ourselves to. Understandably, this can’t be good for your skin in the short or the long term.
How to find natural skincare products
There are plenty of natural, responsibly-made skincare products out on the market today; you just need to know what you’re looking for. If a product is cruelty-free and made with all natural ingredients, it should state this on the label. Look out for words and phrases such as “non-allergenic”, “vegan”, “GMO-free” and “free of harmful chemicals, irritants, or preservatives.”
Don’t be fooled by advertising
A lot of cosmetic products make promises that they can’t deliver. Don’t be drawn in by brands that claim they’re miracle cures for acne or the perfect solution for dry skin. Simplify
your cosmetics cabinet by sticking to the key products: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
Avoid fragrance
The product may smell good, but there’s a loophole in the law that means companies don’t need to declare toxic chemicals that have been used to create the fragrance. Many artificial fragrances can trigger allergic reactions.
Does “natural” really mean natural?
While it may say “natural” on the packaging, can you believe it? The words “natural” and “all-natural” are not regulated labelling terms, so it’s always best to look at the list of ingredients if you’re not sure. The general rule is: if you don’t understand an ingredient on the label then don’t buy the product.
Consider the company’s values
What have others said about the product or the company you’re considering? Is it a company that’s widely known for testing on animals? If so, alarm bells should be ringing. Visit the company’s website and take time to read up on their values. Companies such as Tropic Skincare are well-known for using only naturally derived ingredients in their products and have been certified by The Vegan Society, Cruelty Free International and PETA.
