Have you ever wondered what is in your skincare products? by Jenny James of Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Rd, SW10
It seems incredible, but many skin care products are loaded with ingredients that actually harm your skin over time.
Mineral oil is used in hundreds of products and can be found on labels under liquid paraffin, paraffin wax and petrolatum/petroleum. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil which has had the gasoline and kerosene removed and then it is processed using sulphuric acid, solvents and alkalis to remove the hydrocarbons and chemicals. It is used in skin care products because it’s cheap!
There are no vitamins or nutrients in this type of oil. Applied to the body it creates a seal, preventing it from breathing by blocking pores, and interferes with your skin’s natural ability to eliminate toxins. It can also cause dermatitis / skin irritation, chapping and dryness by preventing sebum from moisturising your own skin as it should, let alone allowing any natural and organic ingredients to heal and protect it from external pollutants. Surprisingly it is also present in many baby care products too…..
What to beware of in skincare products!
Petrochemicals: propylene glycol (PG), poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and aromatics including benzene and xylene isomers = chemical products made from the raw materials of petroleum (as above) or other hydrocarbons. Many skin care products and moisturising products (just read the ingredients in your shampoo) will use petrochemicals as preservatives so their products have a long shelf life. These chemicals also make plastics e.g. Tupperware boxes and are used in anti-ageing products to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, giving the appearance of temporarily smoother skin.
Parabens: methyl, butyl and propyl paraben are natural preservatives frequently found in fruit and vegetables although they are manufactured synthetically for the huge quantities needed for use as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods. The reason is purely economical but the danger from synthetic parabens is that the body cannot break them down effectively and studies suggest that they may cause cancer and interfere with the body’s endocrine system due to their oestrogenic properties, as well as causing allergic reactions and skin rashes.
NB: Vitamin E or Tocopherol is nature’s preservative and can be found in natural and organic products (see “What are your other options?” below)!
Alcohols such as ethanol/ethyl alcohol, benzyl and isopropyl alcohol are commonly found in skin care products (including scents, nail varnish remover and medicines) and are, more often than not, synthetically derived. They are very drying and irritating for the skin stripping away the skin’s natural acid mantle and leaving it more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses.
Dioxane: (a synthetic – note the word synthetic – derivative of coconut). It is a dissolving agent present in many in skincare products. It often contains high concentrations of the solvent 1.4-dioxane, which is readily absorbed through the skin. 1.4-dioxane is also considered a carcinogenic chemical.
Synthetic fragrances are man-made versions of essential oils, which are in fact impossible to re-create due to the complex chemical structure of plant oils so it is often the smell that is recreated and not the healing properties. In some cases natural oils have been used but only after they have been adulterated through dilution, cutting, stretching or ennobling – the natural state has been altered!
Foaming agents: sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) act as detergents and surfactants and are found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). They are inexpensive and effective foaming agents but are also known skin irritants.
Some manufacturers will include some natural / active ingredients and vitamins (as listed below) – which can be confusing to consumers – but pure, natural and organic products are expensive so they are not necessarily at a level which will promote healing in AND these are combined with various harmful ingredients too (as listed above).
So, when choosing a skin care product, it’s not just about selecting one with good ingredients; it’s also about choosing one with a high concentration of these good ingredients. The best way to do this is to look for natural products made from natural and organic ingredients.
What are your other options? Ask your aromatherapist!! www.aromatherapylondon.com
What to look for in your skincare products?
Typical organic and natural oils and creams do not have a 3 year shelf-life and contain ingredients such as:
Essential oils: (used in aromatherapy) are extracted from flowers, plants, resins, woods and roots. It is the chemical composition of the natural plant, its’ essence that has sustained its’ life, that promotes healing; bringing vital nutrition to skin cells, restoring balance, correcting damage deep within the dermis and encouraging natural regeneration.
Organic cold pressed vegetable and nut oils: sunflower, olive, sweet almond, macadamia, borage, rosehip and apricot to name a few. These contain their own unique quantity of vitamins e.g. unrefined avocado oil naturally contains Vitamin A, B1, B2 and D which help with dry skin conditions, inflammations and premature ageing.
Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative, therefore, counteracting oxidation (rancidity) and preventing the formation of free radicals in natural fats and oils.
- The vitamin helps absorb the sun’s dangerous ultra-violet rays which are responsible for the reddening of the skin, sunburn and more serious burns. Ultra-violet rays, environmental pollutants and the free radicals age the skin more quickly, reducing its elasticity and creating wrinkles. Vitamin E, therefore, works to prevent wrinkles, stimulates the blood circulation and regulates the skin’s elasticity.
- In ointments and creams vitamin E will help to heal cracks and sores in the skin and will remove scars with regular use over a longer period of time.
Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Coconut oil: are naturally solid fats which thicken a blend and absorb rapidly into the skin. The moisturising and softening properties of these fats are useful for the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, severely dry skin, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis or eczema.
Have a bespoke blend made for your skin type or skin condition and know that you are healing your body from the outside in.
For advice, prescriptive products – oils, creams, shampoos etc – OR baby skin care advice please contact me using the form above. Therapies and massage treatments are available.