7 minute read
The term “skin care” alone implies that we are doing something positive for our skin. There are literally tens of thousands of products available for every imaginable skin condition from dryness to wrinkles and beyond. But how well do you understand the ingredients that are commonly found in the products you use every day?
You might be surprised to find out that many of these ingredients can actually be harmful to your skin and your body. In some extreme cases, there is even evidence to suggest that some of these popular additives are potentially toxic or are linked to cancer.
Below are a few of the well-known ingredients that can potentially cause problems. Keep an eye out for them on the labels of the items you regularly use and avoid them at all costs.
5 Potentially Harmful Ingredients to Avoid:
Parabens. The cosmetics industry uses Parabens as a preservative to keep skin care products from going bad on store shelves. Although this sounds innocent enough, research has linked parabens to breast cancer and allergic reactions in several studies.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids: ABC News recently reported tough new limits on anti-wrinkle creams containing Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, because scientist say creams containing this ingredient may actually cause skin to age more rapidly. So it appears this ingredient can GIVE you more wrinkles.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Most commonly found in facial cleansers and body washes, it is known to cause skin redness or dryness, eyelash loss, and even breakouts. There are plenty of organic products on the market that have the same cleansing effect without the potential for doing damage. This is one you should definitely avoid.
Mineral oil is also found in a large number of skin care products. Believe it or not, it is a by-product of petroleum production; Yes, that’s right – Gasoline! Skincare manufacturers use it as a base and it can interfere with the normal “breathing” process of the skin by clogging pores and preventing natural perspiration.
Stay away from Urea. Look at some of your regular store-bought cosmetics, like your makeup, skin care, or hair-care products, and you may find listed there the ingredient “urea.”! It is commonly used as a preservative and/or a moisturizer. Urea can increase your risk for contact dermatitis, and has also been shown to release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen (causes cancer). You may have heard that urea comes from urine, actually some forms of Urea are from horse urine. According to a study published in 2010, ureas can release formaldehyde, which has been classified as a human carcinogen. It can be irritating: According to the Material Safety Data Sheet on this substance, urea can cause skin and eye irritation, and prolonged exposure can cause reproductive effects.
One way to avoid these potentially harmful ingredients is to ALWAYS read your labels!
That means taking the time to see what’s in a product before it ever makes it into your shopping cart.
While the items above are a few things you may want to avoid, there are others you should actively look for. They include organic ingredients and natural antioxidants which can help to counter the damage done by “free radicals”. Weakened or damaged cells can accelerate the aging process and lead to the formation of wrinkles, creases, and sagging.
These and other plant-derived actives can offer you some incredible anti-aging benefits without the dangers associated with synthetic chemical compounds. When it comes to your beauty routine, it pays to favor brands that use natural and organic blends.
Recommended Alternatives
Increasingly, retail consumers and celebrities alike are moving away from traditional skin care products in favor of a treatment-based approach. While typical skin care products often smell good and feel good on your skin, more often than not, they fall short on results. One of the most popular organic skin care treatment lines is the celebrity favorite, Adonia Organics. This Greek-inspired line of organic, home treatment products is unique because it delivers “organic” along with clinically proven results.
You can learn more about the Adonia Organics line, read the results of clinical study reports, view real photos of the results, and see exclusive celebrity fan photos by visiting their official website at: www.AdoniaOrganics.com