\u2018Natural\u2019 is the new buzz word in skincare, but what does it actually mean? Brands often boast naturally derived ingredients, but neglect to mention the harmful synthetic ones they also use. It may seem like a lot of fuss about nothing, but consider that nearly everything we apply to our skin makes its way into our bloodstream in some way or other. You wouldn\u2019t be happy eating potentially harmful chemicals in your food so why ingest them through your body\u2019s largest organ?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately there is no international body to regulate natural product advertising. Certifications do exist in some countries, but they vary and it is often difficult to ascertain their credibility. Below are five of the most common chemical additives to skincare products that you can look out for yourself, see why you should avoid them and how to spot them.<\/p>\n
Parabens<\/strong> Sulfates<\/strong> Artificial Colours & Fragrances<\/strong> Mineral Oil<\/strong> DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) & TEA (triethanolamine)<\/strong> Remember when checking product ingredients that they are listed in descending order of concentration, so the first ingredient listed is the one present in the largest amount. It\u2019s not always easy to find products completely free from unwanted chemicals but a good rule of thumb is to stick to the ones with the natural ingredients listed first and chemical ones in trace amounts at the end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u2018Natural\u2019 is the new buzz word in skincare, but what does it actually mean? Brands often boast naturally derived ingredients, but neglect to mention the harmful synthetic ones they also use. It may seem like a lot of fuss about nothing, but consider that nearly everything we apply to our skin makes its way into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n
\n Parabens are preservatives which extend a product\u2019s shelf life. They are commonly used among many big-name skincare brands despite being proven to have hormone-disrupting effects. Topical parabens have also been detected in human breast tumours, leading to \u2018paraben-free\u2019 products becoming increasingly available. To see if they are present in your skincare products, simply examine ingredients lists for any words ending in \u2018paraben\u2019 (propylparaben, methylparaben etc.).<\/p>\n
\n Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfates are harsh detergents used as engine de-greasers and industrial soaps. They are present in small amounts in many skincare products that foam and can damage cell membranes, strip skin of its natural properties and cause inflammation.<\/p>\n
\n Artificial fragrances are often made up of thousands of different base ingredients, some of which can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) or hormone disrupting with sustained use. The same goes for artificial colours, which can deposit toxins on to your skin. While these additions make a product look and smell attractive, they serve no therapeutic purpose. Avoid products which list \u2018fragrance\u2019 or any form of colouring as an ingredient unless it clearly states they are completely naturally derived. <\/p>\n
\n Not to be confused with minerals, mineral oil is a common ingredient in cosmetic products and is often marketed as baby oil. Concerns have been raised over its use after various studies showed it to be carcinogenic in large quantities.<\/p>\n
\n These ingredients are to be found in many products that foam and are known carcinogens and hormone disrupters. They have also been linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.<\/p>\n