Skin absorbs what is applied to it...
Skin absorbs what is applied to it... so be mindful.
The products and cosmetics we apply to our faces have effects that go far beyond skin surface concerns.
They go skin deep.
Skin is the largest organ of the body – it’s living and breathing, and needs to be fed and nourished with healing ingredients – because what we apply to our skin ultimately gets absorbed internally
We know that skin does readily absorb what is applied to it, even if we don’t know how much is absorbed.
In other words, the cosmetics we apply to our skin can end up interacting with chemical and hormonal processes taking place inside of our bodies. This in turn has far reaching effects on exterior conditions like skin and hair health that you were trying to enhance in the first place.
So next time you are browsing the beauty section, read beyond what products are telling you and investigate by reading between the lines a little. You might be surprised at what’s lurking in those extensive ingredients lists.
Ingredients to avoid:
Parabens:
Preservatives commonly used in makeup products. Talc: A cheap bulking agent that is dry, chalky and related to asbestos. It’s used in many mainstream mineral brands as a filler to lower manufacturing costs.
Artificial fragrances:
Can cause skin allergies and skin reaction to light (photo allergy). Commonly used in pressed powders and causes irritation and clogged pores.
Lead:
A known neurotoxin. Exposure to lead may result in brain damage, cancer, miscarriage and infertility. Often found in lipsticks — don’t poison your pucker!
Phthalates:
Manmade substances that mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen. Past studies have linked them to birth defects, kidney problems and infertility. Trace elements are being absorbed through the skin and, because the body doesn’t know what to do with them, they accumulate over time. Commonly found in plastic but also present in perfumes and lip glosses.
Dimethicone:
A manmade toxic synthetic pigment and silicone-based polymer. Dimethicone sits on the surface of the skin and doesn’t allow it to breathe, causing irritation.
Manganese:
A byproduct of lead and copper refining and almost chemically identical to toxic arsenic, manganese is used as a filler because it gives a pearlescent shimmer. Can cause itching and clogged pores.
Bismuth oxychloride:
Used in many mainstream mineral brands as a filler to lower manufacturing costs.
Chemical dyes:
Link directly to skin allergies. Studies have found a breast cancer link to red 04 dye.
Mineral oil:
Petroleum-derived oils