Anti-Aging Skin Care
Today’s over-the-counter skin care products often contain ingredients with a long list of harmful side effects. Our focus is to avoid the use of harsh synthetic chemicals and increase the quantity of natural products and services so that you can experience the joy of having nourished, repaired and well-hydrated skin. and to rely more on natural products and services to help nourish, repair and hydrate your skin.
There are thousands of chemicals in cosmetic products that we use daily. Many of these chemicals are not being regulated. There is no pre-product approval before a product hits the market and enters your home. Many of these synthetic chemicals are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disrupters and are carcinogenic.
Here’s a list of the top ten chemicals in cosmetics:
Paraben – This is a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products. Parabens possess estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
Synthetic Colors – These chemicals are derived from petroleum or coal tar sources. Synthetic colors are suspected to be a human carcinogen, a skin irritant and are linked to ADHD in children.
Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) – There are a mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.
PEG compounds – PEG compounds are used in many cosmetic cream bases. It can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.
Phthalates – This group of chemicals is used in hundreds of products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics. The main phthalates in cosmetics is dibutyl phthalate. Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females.
Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are used in many cosmetic products to help prevent bacteria growth. This chemical has been known to cause allergic skin reactions and it may also be harmful to the immune system.
Toluene – A petrochemical derived from petroleum or coal tar sources. You may see it on labels listed as benzene, toluol, phenylmethane, methylbenzene. Toluene is a potent solvent able to dissolve paint and paint thinner. It can affect your respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate your skin. Toluene has also been linked to immune system toxicity. It can be found in nail polish, nail treatments and hair color/bleaching products.
Petrolatum – This chemical is used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lipsticks and moisturizers.
Sunscreen chemicals – These chemicals function as a sunscreen agent, to absorb ultraviolet light and are endocrine disruptors. They may cause cellular damage and cancer in the body. Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate.
Siloxanes – This chemical is used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. It is a suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane).
