Why You Should Switch To All-Natural Skin Care

Photo credit: Bigstockphoto
Photo credit: Bigstockphoto

You might not know it thanks to the fragrance, the luxurious texture, and the supposed trusted brand you got that skin cream from, but even the most expensive skincare items are chock full of irritants, chemicals, preservatives, and harmful compounds that compromise your health!

From everyday moisturizers to serums and masks, companies like Estee Lauder, Neutrogena, L’Oreal, and other labels use harmful ingredients in their products. These chemicals do everything from disrupting the hormonal balance of the body to increasing the risk of cancer. Even brands that claim that their products are made from “all-natural” ingredients like Burt’s Bees and LUSH are use preservatives and chemicals.

The Hidden Dangers of Skincare Preservatives

Certain types of compounds are “needed” in order to preserve the integrity of a skincare product. Perhaps the most widely used and infamous of all skin care chemicals are parabens.

Parabens are used to preserve skincare products. They come in different varieties but they all work the same way. Unfortunately, multiple clinical tests show that parabens cause a myriad of health problems including decreased muscle mass, excessive fat storage, and even male gynecomastia or man boobs. Certain types of parabens are linked to various types of cancers, developmental disorders, neurological problems, and hormonal disorders.

Some of the most toxic types of chemicals used by high- and low-end cosmetics and beauty products include:

  • Butyl paraben
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • DEA (Diethanolamine)
  • MEA (monoethanolamine)
  • TEA (triethanolamine)
  • DMDM Hydantion
  • Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
  • FD&C Color Pigments
  • Fragrances
  • Methyl Paraben
  • Mineral oil
  • Paraben
  • Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
  • Butylene Glycol
  • Sodium Laurel Sulfate
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  • Triclosan (a common ingredient in antibacterial products)
  • Othoxalation (A cleansing process that’s extremely carcinogenic)

Skincare isn’t the only product laden with parabens. Toothpaste, shaving creams, bath gels, deodorants, sunscreen, and antiperspirants are also laded with the stuff. This is why it’s important to read the label first prior to buying any type of beauty, skin, or body care products.

Anti-aging products and those that have strong fragrance are full of compounds that irritate the skin and even trigger an allergic reaction. Most types of anti-aging creams rely on various fruit acids to “reveal” younger skin. What these compounds do is speed up the cell renewal process so dead skin cells can be removed from the surface of the skin faster. But it also makes the skin hypersensitive because of the abnormally fast cell regeneration process.

Always be selective when choosing the kinds of stuff you put on your face; it may do more damage than good. There are several skincare and cosmetic brands that offer 100% all-natural and organically produced products. You just have to do your own research.

Do note that most types of organic or all-natural skincare and beauty products cost more than your average skin creams. Search for all-natural skin care brands with the highest customer satisfaction rate so you get your money’s worth!

If you want to save more on skincare, you can always make your own serums, moisturizers, eye serum, or makeup remover! Check different recipes online using essential oils and beauty oils like almond, olive, argan, sunflower, and extra virgin coconut oil.