STOP And READ The Label
By Lauren Johnson
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. As your first defense against environmental toxins, taking care of your skin should be top priority. Skin should be nourished, pampered, and adored. Your skin deserves to be treated well, because it is the only skin you will ever have.
If this is true (which it is) why do so many people feed their skin poison?
They don't stop to read the label. We're not talking about the front label-- the dangerous place that looks so pretty and makes you want to flip it open, smell it, and buy it. No, we're talking about the back label, past the description of what wonderful things the product supposedly does. Down there, at the bottom, where (in small letters that you can barely read) you see what will be going on your skin and into your body.
Unfortunately, most people don't know how to read labels. As soon as they see those long, fourteen letter words, their brain gets mixed up, and they get confused. So they look at the next label, and the next one, and the next one. Suddenly, all the labels look the same, and they think to themselves “well if all the products have them in it, then it must be okay.” But it's not okay.
Ideally, no chemicals should go on your skin. Your skin should be nourished by mother nature, not chemicals from a lab. Most often these chemicals are either meant to prolong the shelf life of the product or because synthetics are cheaper than organics. They benefit the company manufacturing them, not the person purchasing the product. These chemicals are toxic and can have effects that are truly destructive, especially when used religiously.
Here are some of the toxic ingredients commonly found in skincare and cosmetics:
Fragrances: Fragrances are dangerous because companies are not required to list what ingredients they used to create the fragrance. There could be thousands of toxic chemicals that can create irritation or allergic reactions in a product because of the fragrance.
FD & C Color Pigments: These are synthetic food and cosmetic dyes that are created from coal tar. They serve no purpose other than to make the product more attractive. Tests have shown almost all the be carcinogenic.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Found in most foaming products such as shampoo and body wash, sulfates can cause inflammation and irritation.
TEA, DEA, and MEA: Found in many foaming products, products containing these substances are banned in Europe because they are known to be cancer causing.
Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol: Derived from petroleum, these products easily penetrate the skin and can weaken cellular and protein structure. Skin contact has been linked to brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.
Mineral Oil: Cheap petroleum by-product that clogs the pores by coating the skin like plastic. This prevents the skin from eliminating toxins, causing acne and premature aging.
Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl): Used to extend shelf life, parabens are highly toxic and can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Products made with all natural ingredients are the best for your skin and can be refrigerated to extend their shelf life. Get in the habit of always reading the label before you purchase any skin care product and always choose the natural over synthetic.
Lauren Johnson hosts Bohemian Botanics In Home Relaxation Parties. All products are made from natural ingredients and organic essential oils. You can visit Bohemian Botanics online at http://www.bohemianbotanics.com.
