How to Avoid Toxins in Personal Care Products : 5 Tips

On a daily basis, we usually put a lot of products on our skin. We try to look younger without caring too much about the ingredients of those products. Morning routine alone can have more than five ingredients, and we didn't even mention the night routine. And there are also body products, creams, lotions, scrubs... Did you now that the majority of those products usually contains a number of harmful toxic substances that in reality od us more harm than good?

Photo by Davide Baraldi

We need to know what we put on our skin

Skin is our biggest organ. Each ingredient that we put on it, skin absorbs and sends it to other organs. This is one of the biggest reasons why we must know what kind of products and ingredients we put on our skin. Did you ever turned the product around to read the ingredients list? It can get pretty confusing reading all those compound and scientific looking words. That's why its important to choose organic  and natural cosmetics. Classic cosmetic brands contain a lot of chemical compounds that can have a toxic effect on our skin.

What effect those harmful ingredients have on our body?

Along with taking care of our body, eating healthy and working out, it is very important to take care about what we put on our skin. Today, it is assumed that things and products that our skin has contact with, can very well have an impact on any disease development. Some ingredients can have an effect on development of cancer, fertility problems, hormonal disorder, allergies, and even on development of auto immune diseases.

Potentialy harmful ingredients

Parabens

This ingredient is a preservative, and today it can be found in majority of cosmetic products. It helps with the preservation of products so we can use them for longer. It can be found in shampoos, shower gels and various bathing products.

Parabens can still be found in a lot of products despite the effort of being substituted with less toxic ingredients, and a lot of men and women are exposed to its harmful effects. The most vulnerable groups are pregnant women and children. Research has shown that parabens can cause hormonal changes, and can cause types of cancer that are hormonally dependant, like breast cancer. Along with that, parabens are connected with reproductive toxicity. So, when shopping for cosmetics, be careful and always look for products that are parabens free.

Use organic products that will spoil both you and your skin. Clean, fragrant and healthy ingredients will take care of your body in the best way possible.

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Synthetic fragrances

These are ingredients that are responsible for scents in cosmetic products. Nowadays, we are more used to synthetic fragrances than the natural ones, and we have strained far away from those naturally made from plants. When did you stop and smelled actual roses? And you are probably wearing a perfume with rose scent that is probably made in a synthetic way. These artificial scents can be found in shampoos, make up, shower gels… And they are definitely not healthy for our body. So, make sure to opt for products that have natural essential oils or the ones that have no scent at all. 

Use natural perfumes enriched with essential oils. You will smell beautiful and without any harmful ingredients.

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Formaldehyde

This is a toxin and a cancerous substance that can still be found in cosmetic products. It is used as a preservative that prevents bacteria growth in water based products. It can be found in nail polish, hair spray, shampoos, shower gels, and various creams. This ingredient is known to cause cancer, allergies and a variety of skin diseases. You should avoid products containing it.

Choose natural products for your hair. They will nourish your hair and will make it smell great at the same time. By using these products you will take care of your body, and our planet as well. Products come in glass bottles that you can repurpose later, or recycle them.

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Talc

Talc is an ingredient that we’re used to seeing in baby powders and make up. This powdered mineral is a substance used in many cosmetic products. It is added to absorb moisture. It can be quite harmful to lungs and in the end can even lead to cancer. It is often added to cosmetics made for greasy skin because of its absorbing features, and it also calms skin irritation. But, it also doesn’t let skin to breathe. So, instead of cosmetics that can help preserve your skin, those that contain talc can lead to clogging of the pores and other skin problems, like blackheads.

When buying your cosmetic products, make sure that they are talc free and use healthy alternatives.

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Sulfates

Sulfates are often used to make bathing products more bubblier. They are known to irritate skin, especially skin of infants, small children and anyone with sensitive skin. SLS/SLES can cause eye irritation, skin rash, hair loss, scalp rash similar to dandruff and other allergic reactions. This skin irritant is very easily absorbed into our skin. Despite that, sulfates are declared as being safe for short term or occasional usage. Also, there are many researches that show how the longer our skin is in contact with SLS, the more is there a risk of skin irritation. It is also shown how it has effect on our skin by clogging the pores. Pay attention to declaration on products, opt for natural cosmetics or brands that don’t use sulfates in their products. There is usually a very visible label stating that there are no sulfates. Natural soaps may not produce many bubbles, but they sure clean well. You can even buy shampoo in form of a soap bar.

What they lack in bubbles, natural soaps make in their cleansing and benefits for your body and your hair. Give them a chance! 

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