For starters – I hope you’re not still under the impression that what goes on your skin doesn’t effect the rest of your body.
Your skin is a huge detox organ – huge because it covers your whole body. And because it’s so good at getting things out of the body (through sweat & oils), unfortunately it’s also really good at letting things into the body because pores work both ways.
Most cosmetics and skincare products have synthetic chemicals in them that are used to create a pleasant consistency or scent. The unfortunate thing is that more research has been coming out on these chemicals and it turns out they’re pretty toxic. Many of the things that are useful in making creamy moisturizers and fine powders have turned out to be carcinogenic (meaning they cause cancer) or disrupt the endocrine system by either blocking or looking like normal hormones. Because there isn’t a whole lot of regulation on cosmetics, lots of companies are still using them.
So what do you do about it? Read labels before you buy!
Here are the big things to avoid in your products:
Parabens (or anything that ends in -paraben) - carcinogenic
PEG (polyethylene glycol) & polyethylene - carcinogenic
Propylene glycol – skin irritant“Fragrance” – carcinogens & endocrine disruptors
Phthalates – endocrine disruptors
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) – skin irritant, potentially carcinogenic
Triclosan – interferes with thyroid function
Oxybenzone – endocrine disruptor
The bottom line is – simple is best. Choosing products with a shorter list of ingredients (that you actually understand) will keep you away from most of the toxic chemicals.
The way I help my patients decide what products are best for them is to use muscle testing. Especially if you have a skin condition, it's extremely helpful to place a product on your body and see how the body responds. This takes out the guess-work and helps us identify what products cause a problem, whether it's a chemical or an allergen.
Curious to see if your products are right for you? Contact us so we can help you figure it out!
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