Grab one of your jars or tubes of skincare goodness and flip over to the ingredients list. Do you find names of unpronounceable ingredients? Do you know what any of the ingredients are? Scary, if you think about it. We are slathering our skin with stuff we can’t pronounce or know what they are.

Before discussing some of the “stuff” to avoid, let’s first consider your skin. Did you know that your skin is the largest detoxification organ in your body? That’s right, your skin plays a vital role in eliminating wastes, moving them from the inside your body to the outside, primarily through sweating. Skin that is functioning well does not accumulate toxins. The result is a lovely clear complexion and no rashes, hives, pimples or acne. If you have skin issues, then there is likely an issue on the inside from toxin burden or digestive issues or malabsorption. Nutrition alterations or simple dietary changes can improve your skin’s texture and colour without crazy chemicals or concoctions.

Just because a product is labeled “natural,” “organic” or “green,” does not make it safe for you skin. Whatever is rubbed into your skin enters your body – every unknown chemical or ingredient. However, just because something is man-made doesn’t make it harmful. Most ingredients used in skincare are processed in some way to make them usable. Essential oils are steam distilled for purity. Oils are pressed by machine. Basically, look for botanical ingredients that have the least amount of processing and are as close to nature as possible.

Beauty begins on the inside. Stresses, strains and creams contribute to the health of your skin. You can have the greatest cleanest skincare routine, but it won’t matter, if you drink, smoke and survive on caffeine and junk food, while being bombarded by constant stress. Simple dietary and lifestyle changes can improve your skin without crazy cosmetic concoctions. I will do a blog post in the near future taking a closer look at dietary changes and enhancements that may help.

5 TOXIC INGREDIENTS HIDING IN YOUR SKIN PRODUCTS

1.  Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS):

According to Liz Wolfe, author of Skintervention Guide, “SLES is a kind of ‘mini-me/little brother’ version of SLS, and no more necessary that its older sibling.” Often used in shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers to bubble bath. It is what makes your shampoos and soaps foam, lather and bubbly. Unfortunately, it also messes with your skin’s ability to retain moisture (not a good thing in a dry climate like Alberta). Just think, if it enhances your skin’s absorption, then what other synthetic and chemical ingredients in these products are being delivered right into your body. SLS and SLES may cause pores to clog and build up toxins.

2.  Triclosan:

Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers, deodorants and antiperspirants. It is a suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.[1] Its main function in beauty care products is as a preservative. In fact, it may create chloroform gas when it reacts with chlorinated water! [2]

3.  Paraben:

Look carefully at the label’s ingredients because anything that ends with “paraben” is one and the same. You will find these as preservatives that extend the shelf life of many of the “herbal” products on your drugstore’s shelves. Underarm deodorants, sunscreens and moisturizers are just a few of the products where you may find parabens. Like most skincare chemicals, they penetrate the skin. Unfortunately, they may mimic estrogen making it a potential endocrine (hormone) disruptor.

4.  Artificial Fragrance (Parafum):

One artificial fragrance can contain hundreds of synthetic chemicals, often made from petroleum and coal. These mixtures can be used in a variety of products, even those marketed as unscented. In fact, fragrances are considered one of the top 5 known allergens and can initiate an asthma attack for some individuals. Many meetings, gyms and buildings are posting signs that they are “fragrance free.”

5.  Propylene Glycol (PG):

Often used in many cosmetic cream bases, moisturizers, sunscreen, conditioners, shampoos and hair sprays. Notice that glycol ends in the suffix “-ol,” which indicates it is an alcohol. And in this case, it is an organic alcohol commonly used as a skin-conditioning agent to enhance its cosmetic use. It is classified as a skin irritant and penetrator, which may cause hives or dermatitis for some individuals. For more information, head on over to Natural News’ article, “Propylene Glycol: The Good, The Bad and The Alternatives.”

While preparing this blog, I came upon a cool infographic that succinctly describes the “to avoid” chemicals in beauty products. Check out this link to download it for yourself.  

WATT WORKS 4 BEAUTY PRODUCTS

I am a firm believer of using beauty products with names I can pronounce and know what they are. In fact, I sell a line of products, Watt Works 4 Beauty, made for me by a small company in Toronto (For the Love of Body). I have body butter, body wash, facial toner, deodorant and lip balm. My scents are created with essential oils only.

You can purchase the body butter ($21) and body wash ($12) in either chocolate citrus (citrus verbena with chocolate overtures) or orange geranium. The toner ($12) and deodorant ($10) come in orange geranium only. And the lip balm ($4 each) is either vanilla cinnamon or orange geranium.

Products can be shipped based on the current post office price and must have GST added.

Contact Brenda at brenda@wattworksnutrition.ca to order your products.

At this time, Watt Works Nutrition does not have a working shopping cart to order online, sorry.  We are working on it, though.

RESOURCES

[1] http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—triclosan/

[2] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samuel-s-epstein/the-dangers-of-triclosan_b_481323.html