We have entered an age of unprecedented awareness about what is in our food and rightly so! With so much information readily available, knowing what toxins are contained in food items (e.g. pesticides, sugar, trans fats etc…) there is really no excuse for not making good decisions around our diet.
Conversely, while we are conscious of what goes ‘into’ our body, many of us are still uninformed of the impact cosmetics and toiletries can have on our health when we put them ‘on’ our body.
With the average person putting around 5 pounds of product on their skin per year, have you ever thought about what is in them and how this can affect you?
Our scented lotions, rich coloured lipsticks and replenishing night creams don’t just float around on the outer layer of our skin or hair until it is washed away – it penetrates deeper and deeper into our bodies as we wear it.
Unlike ingesting our food where there is stomach containing enzymes to break down toxins, our skin readily absorbs chemicals and other substances deeper into our body – through our skin layers, into muscles and fat, and directly into our bloodstream, without being broken down!
Beyond irritations that cosmetics can cause for some people, such as flaky skin or eczema type reactions, the chemicals absorbed by our body through cosmetics have the potential to cause a range of health issues, including:
- Allergies
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Immunotoxicity
- Neurotoxicity
- Endocrine (hormonal) disruption
- Cancer
- Developmental/reproductive toxicity
- Organ system toxicity
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Enhanced skin absorption (some chemicals actually cause our skin to absorb even more chemicals!
- Biochemical or cellular level changes(Taken from Skin Deep, Cosmetics Database website)
So what are the ‘nasties’ contained in many beauty products that we should be avoiding in order to ward off potentially harmful toxins?
Common Examples Include:
- Animal products or by-products
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde-donating preservatives
- Phthalates
- Alkylphenols
- Benzene
- Triethanolamine
- Monoethanolamine
- Phosphates
- Polyethylene glycol
- Petrolatum
- Bisphenol-A
- Triclosan
- Hydroquinone
I will leave you to do your research on the above ‘toxins’ and while I certainly don’t profess to be a chemist or scientific expert, my own level of awareness is enough for me to at minimum look at the ingredients on the side of my make-up, skincare and other toiletries.
In addition to the toxins, many types of cosmetic manufacturers have practices that may not be in alignment with your values, yet you just don’t know it. These might be values around the environment, treatment of animals, human rights or other core beliefs.
For instance, do you know whether the lipstick you are putting on is tested on animals? Are you sure that the soap your family uses is clear of palm oil (responsible for the clearing of tropical rainforests and habitats for various endangered species)?
Did you know that the eyeshadow you are wearing could be contributing to exploit child labourers in Indian mines? If you are vegan, did you know that many of the cosmetics you use may have animal or by-product in them?
So the question becomes, “what do I do to navigate my way through the sea of products available and which ones are certified to the standard I wish to subscribe?”
The answer is the same as the approach you take with your food. Check the label, do your research and ask questions.
For those of us with sensitive skin, like me, perhaps you have been frustrated when salespeople at the department store tell us we will be fine with the product, then discover we have a reaction to the product, even more frustrating when we are unable to return the it.
Finding Suppliers Who allow proper ‘test-driving’ is a must. When you are purchasing a product (over the counter or online) ask the question about whether you can return the product and within what timeframe for a full refund.
Over 20 years, I have used the most expensive to the cheapest cosmetics and skincare money can buy. The cheapest is cheap for a reason and promoted allergies on my skin and whilst some people can experience good results, the absorption of the ‘nasties’ is likely to be higher.
At the other end of the scale, whilst some of the fantastic Swiss formulated products were what I found to be my most desired, like many of us, I couldn’t sustain the price and always ended up with having to switch to the cheaper and damaging options.
So, what I found was there are options other than over the counter at the big department emporiums that suit my need for quality, as well as price! In fact, many of them are completely online and delivered directly to your door at reduced prices.
Like most of us, my family’s health and well-being is my priority. What goes in and on their bodies in my opinion is paramount to a healthy lifestyle.
Having switched a few years ago, my family’s skin health has never been better; my partner having suffered from eczema and chronic dry sensitive skin his entire life is now free from irritation, my 16 year old daughter has clear acne free skin which has given her confidence in her appearance, one less thing to worry about as a teenager.
We now have our 6 year old (having her father’s skin) eczema & dry skin condition normalised and she is free from irritation.
All in all these benefits make it easier for us to get on with and enjoy our lives with qualities and gives me confidence that the people I have the privilege of sharing this with are better off for it.
Kylie is a qualified NLP Trainer, professional corporate leadership facilitator and transformational coach; having stamina and looking her best is important.
After trying Arbonne products through a friend, Kylie happily became an Arbonne Business Independent Consultant and shares this opportunity with interested others.Her business now brings pure, safe and beneficial cosmetics, skincare and a range of wellness and nutritional products to people’s lives.
You can find much more information on living a holistic lifestyle in these free magazines and on our YouTube channel.
Kylie Mamouney – NLP Trainer, Corporate Leadership Facilitator & Transformational Coach
