Articles

Organic skin care

If you have changed to organic eating habits, you might be wondering about an organic solution for skin care. The cosmetics, perfumes and cleansers that we use contain chemicals that are easily absorbed through skin, or through our lungs when we inhale the perfume. These chemicals then rapidly enter the bloodstream. Should this be a concern?

Visitors to Infertility Clinics will see, in very prominent positions, signs banning the wearing of perfume or aftershave. The chemicals that they contain are harmful to embryos. What we put on our bodies ends up in our bodies!

Organic skin care is an area of the organic movement which has made real progress in recent times, and where previously there were few options available there is now a fairly wide range of grooming products out there. Another option open to consumers is to make your own cosmetics, using organic ingredients:

Harmful Cosmetic Additives

There are a wide range of 'natural' and 'green' toiletries and cosmetics now available, but as always, check what you are buying. In the UK the word 'natural' can be applied to any product as long as at least 1% of the ingredients are obtained from nature. Indeed, some cosmetic manufacturers are jumping on the organic bandwagon and using that term to describe cosmetics that may only contain a very small proportion of organic ingredients. However, you can at least check out the labels on the products you buy, and avoid the worst of the chemical offenders, listed below:

Formaldehyde Preservative: Found in nail polish, nail hardeners and other cosmetics. Commonly associated with adverse skin reactions.

Imidazolidinyl Urea Preservative:. Commonly associated with adverse skin reactions.

Fragrance:  Synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can consist of many ingredients, and these ingredients do not have to be listed separately from the other ingredients. Look for products that list "natural fragrance" or whose perfume comes from essential oils.

Methyl Paraben Preservative.: Widely used. Associated with skin irritation. Some possibility that it may be a xenoestrogen. (also butyl, ethyl and propyl paraben).

Isopropyl alcohol:  Anti-bacterial agent obtained from petroleum (sometimes used in anti-freeze).

Methylisothiazolinone Preservative: Associated with allergic reactions and irritation.
Paraffin Used in cold creams, hair removers, eyebrow pencils and other cosmetics. Derived from petroleum or coal.

Propylene glycol: Moisture carrying agent used in cosmetics. Usually derived from petroleum, although it is possible to derive it from vegetable glycerine.

Sodium lauryl sulphate: Detergent that can have a drying effect on the skin that can cause irritation.

Gentler alternatives to these artificial preservatives are available. Look at the labels and keep an eye open for some of the more natural preservatives listed below:

• grapefruit seed extract phenoxyethanol
• potassium sorbate
• sorbic acid
• tocopherol (vitamin E)
• retinyl (vitamin A)
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Marianne Tregoning
www.beyondskincare.co.uk

Beyond Organic Skincare are a 100% organic range of skincare products suitable for in-salon organic facials and body treatments with a full complementary retail product range. If you would like to find out about introducing our range in your salon or retaining contact us for a sample pack.  Click link below

http://www.beautyfinder.co.uk/special-offers/311/55-worth-of-free-product-testers-with-new-orders/