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Skin Care & Cosmetic Ingredients To Avoid
There are many unhealthy and un-natural skin care ingredients contained in a vast variety of skin care products on the market today (inlcuding those sold in high-end department stores); listed below are a few of those ingredients that you will want to avoid when purchasing your skin care products regardless of the product's claim to be ALL NATURAL. ALWAYS read the ingredients lists and familiarize yourself with those ingredients that are truly natural and those that are not.
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ALUMINUM CHLOROHYDRATE - The active ingredient in many antiperspirants. Inhibits the normal bodily function of underarm sweating. The use of aluminum compounds in personal care is currently under scrutiny.
DIMETHICONE - Silicone polymer used to modify a product's feel or contribute water resistance. Silicone polymers used in breast implants caused serious health problems and were subsequently banned by the Food & Drug Administration.
FD&C and D&C COLORS - Petroleum derived synthetic colors can be toxic and cause allergy. The Food and Drug Administration have banned numerous FD&C and D&C colors as emerging scientific data found them unsafe for human use.
FORMALDEHYDE - One of the most toxic of all personal care ingredients. This irritating and allergenic preservative was commonly used in shampoos.
FRAGRANCE OILS - The synthetic fragrances that are used in cosmetics and household cleaning supplies can consist of many undisclosed ingredients and none of them are natural. The chemicals used in fragrances do not have to be listed separately from the other ingredients. The label simply reads “fragrance” or “perfume” or “parfume”. The consumer is being deceived into believing that one harmless ingredient is in their beauty product and not made aware of the cocktail of dangerous artificial fragrance chemicals that they are putting onto their skin and breathing in. Synthetic fragrance oils are used because they are more affordable then pure unadulterated essential oils. The majority of adverse reactions to cosmetics and toiletries are caused by fragrance chemicals. Most hypoallergenic forms of cosmetics are fragrance free because the chemical cocktails are known irritants and allergens. The consumer can have such negative reactions to cosmetic fragrances because each artificial fragrance typically contains one hundred or more chemicals to produce just one fragrance. Over 5000 aroma chemical are available for creating synthetic fragrances.
MINERAL OIL - Mineral Oil is inappropriately named since it bears no relationship to minerals. It is merely a synthetic chemical fraction of petroleum.
PARABENS: METHYL, ETHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL - Petroleum derived toxic preservative chemicals, which can be lethal to many life forms beyond their target microorganisms in personal care products. Parabens have a history of causing allergy and irritation in human skin.
PETROLATUM - This semisolid chemical is actually a mixture of mineral oil and paraffin waxes. Derived from petroleum, and historically used and trusted by millions, this chemical has no justifiable role in the well being of human skin.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL - Liquid preservative, solvent and antifreeze, this toxic petroleum derivative is known to cause allergy and irritation.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE - One of the original synthetic ingredients used in personal care products. Very aggressive and irritating, this chemical may have more far reaching toxic effects than previously thought.
SOY - Recent research has proven this inexpensive and abundant product does not contain beneficial skin or hormone balancing properties. Many companies have cut corners, and costs, and process in a fast, cheap, and inefficient manner leaving the American soy virtually non-beneficial. However, I've been told the better and more expensive European extraction method, England particularly, delivers a more beneficial soy product.
TALC - This insoluble powdered mineral can cause respiratory illness.
You can learn more about other skin care and cosmetic ingredients to avoid by reading one of the following resource books:
Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Resource Books
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