Nowadays, more and more evidence is emerging of the harmful effects on the body of a number of commonly-used chemicals. The skin care industry uses a large number of these in its vast array of products and, as a result, the only way to ensure you’re not putting chemicals on your skin is to switch to a to natural skin care regime.
Harmful Ingredients
The move to a more natural regime is easier than it used to be, thanks to a vast increase in natural skin care brands. These brands exclude from their products some or all of the ingredients alleged to be the most harmful to your body and to the environment, including:
- parabens
- sulfates
- mineral oils
- paraffin
- polyethylene glycol
- silicone and silicone derived emollients
- and a whole host of other, unpronounceable, nasties.
The best skin care products for your body and your conscience won’t contain such ingredients, which are condemned for numerous reasons. Many are proven carcinogens, some dry out the skin, while others accumulate in the body’s organs and lymph nodes. Apart from the effects on the human body, most of these chemicals also have an adverse effect on the natural environment.
Natural Brands
Next time you’re shopping for skin care products, have a look at some of the labels and see how many potentially harmful chemicals you can identify. Then head to the counters of the natural skin care brands and compare the labels with those you’ve just read.
If that little comparison exercise is enough to have you clearing your bathroom shelves and running for the natural brands, here’s a list of a few popular companies you may want to investigate more closely:
Origins – uses certified organic ingredients and natural essential oils. Does not use parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petrolatum, paraffin, DEA or animal ingredients.
Burts Bees – produces 99-100% natural products, and displays the Natural Seal on all products.
John Masters – has hair and skin care ranges which are certified organic, animal and environmentally friendly and, justifiably, very popular indeed.
REN – uses no synthetic fragrance, petrochemicals, sulfates, synthetic colors, animal ingredients, parabens, etc. Donates 2.5% of profits to “campaigns that promote a better life for the less fortunate”.
Dr. Hauschka – creates products from biodynamic and organic ingredients, and takes a holistic approach to skin health.
One way to identify a truly natural skin care product is to check for certifications on the product labels. Examples of common seals of approval include:
- USDA Organic certification
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics label
- Natural Product Association certification
- The Leaping Bunny logo of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics
- Cradle to Cradle certification
If you’re still unsure about any ingredient, a great place to check its uses and potential dangers is EWG’s Cosmetic Database.