“To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha
Have you ever thought about the ingredients in the products you use everyday? Are you okay with using toxic chemicals? If you are okay with because it’s just once a day, what about if I told you many of those toxic ingredients are in multiple products you use each day? I have been doing a Switch and Ditch Challenge in my facebook group and have been enjoying researching things so much I wanted to share with all of you! I’m planning to make this a series…but I have a nursing baby that only sleeps on me or is awake because I only have a desktop, or, when I get up early, one of the big girls always wakes up! So….
First up, I’m going to talk about facial care!
I have a confession. This time last year I had HORRIBLE acne. I’ve never had horrible acne, I contribute that to a good face regime and healthy diet. But last winter, I’m not sure if it was the occasional schnitzel and beer or the early pregnancy hormones, but my acne was painful, I was embarrassed to go out in public, & it left scars on my face. I started resorting to toxic products that I really didn’t want to use, especially during pregnancy (I didn’t know I was pregnant at the time). I had read about charcoal bars and the benefits, but even my hippy self was skeptical..but guys, I fell IN LOVE with my charcoal bar. The ingredients were simple, the oils organic, and it WORKED.
So on this journey, there were many toxic chemicals I didn’t want to use. Here is a link to a post I did about five ingredients to not use in your lotions and other skin care products. They are linked to cancers, premature aging of the skin, and known to cause reactions on some. I definitely didn’t want my face care products to make me look older! So here’s a short list of what to avoid.
Sulfates (SLS, SLES)
These guys are seen in numerous products: body wash, soaps, & facial cleansers. But did you know they’re also in degreasers, household cleaners, and car washing soaps? They can increase the fine lines and wrinkles on your face by causing skin irritation, corrosion, and dryness.
Alcohols
These can go by the names of SD Alcohol, ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, & ethyl alcohol. They strip away your skin’s natural oils causing your skin to be dry, which can cause it to overcompensate and be oily. They also cause premature aging and skin irritation.
Ethanolamines
You may see these listed at Triethanolamine or things listed with DEA, TEA, or MEA.
The FDA acknowledges that studies show topical application can cause cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, and nervous system injuries, along with tumors and developmental abnormalities in lab animals and their unborn babies. These can also cause allergic reactions, redness, and inflammation. All of these lovely side effects bring along premature aging and dry skin also.
Mineral Oil
Other names include: Baby Oil, Petroleum, Petrolatum, PEGs
These ingredients have many problems (some of what you may have seen me talk about before). They form a film on your skin, clog your pores, and block you skin’s natural ability to cleanse itself. They can also be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. These are both linked to cancers and 1,4-dioxane sticks around in the environment because it doesn’t readily biodegrade. These can also cause acne formation & irritation, which age your skin.
Hydroquinone
These are used to lighten your skin. They are meant to even out your skin tone and help with sun damage, age spots, or acne scars. The FDA states more testing is needed to verify if this ingredient is safe because it is a carcinogen when taken orally. Because of this, there are concerns over the effects of when these are applied topically.
Have you had problems with the skin on your face like I did? What did you find that helped?
Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate it and I hope you find value in these posts. I really need to get back to our trips, but I have been having a really hard time finding time to post. The baby is constantly nursing, I dislike being on my phone when holding the baby, and I can’t type blog posts on my phone anyway. So thank you to those of you who have stuck with me. I really appreciate you!
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