By Shanda Trias
The skin is our largest organ, with a surface area of about two square meters. Our skin is not an impenetrable barrier, and many drugs are administered via the skin. Take nicotine and hormone replacement patches, for example. Sebastian Parsons, CEO of Dr. Hauschka Natural Skin Care, states that the average woman absorbs 14 kg (30 lb) of moisturizing ingredients into the bloodstream over 60 years!
We should definitely be discerning in what we apply onto our bodies. Here's a list of ingredients to avoid.
DEA, MEA, TEA
These are acronyms for diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and triethanolmine (TEA). Quite a mouthful, I know! They are common foaming agents used in shampoos, soaps and body washes. They cause allergic reactions and affect hormone function.
Artificial Colours
Some artificial colours are carcinogenic, like D&C Orange 5, D&C Orange 17, D&C Red 9, D&C Red 19, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow 5 and FD&C Yellow 6. They can also cause dermatitis and irritation upon skin contact. It's best to scrutinize the ingredients of rainbow-coloured products, or avoid them altogether.
Formaldehyde
These are preservatives known to cause dermatitis and other skin reactions, asthma and migraines. Examples of formaldehyde-derived preservatives are imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin.
Parabens
These are another type of preservative. Examples are butyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben. They may cause allergic reactions to some. Research suggests a connection between parabens, and breast cancer and male reproductive problems.
Petrochemicals
Many skin care products, even the big-name ones, are derived from petrochemicals. Examples of petrochemicals are paraffin, mineral oil and isopropyl alcohol. Ingredients with prefixes or suffixes like propyl-, methyl-, eth-, -ene are usually petroleum-based. These compounds can cause skin irritations, allergies and reduce the skin's ability to breathe. From an environmental standpoint, we should also reduce our reliance on limited fossil-fuel resources, and instead use naturally-derived alternatives.
Fragrance
Synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, dizziness or nausea. Note that products labeled "fragrance free" may have chemicals added to mask the scent. Instead look for products with essential oils as the scent source, or those labeled "natural fragrance".
Propylene Glycol
This is a common moisture-carrying agent in skin care products. Normally derived from petroleum, though it can also be produced from seaweed or vegetable glycerine. It can cause rashes and other skin damage, kidney and liver problems.
SLS
Also known as sodium lauryl sulphate. Its degreasing properties are used to remove dirt from skin and hair. It irritates the skin, and can form carcinogenic nitrogen compounds when combined with other ingredients.
Shanda Trias runs a website that's your one-stop destination for all things related to Organic Skin Care. Visit the site at http://www.organicskincareremedies.com
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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 7:19 AM
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