We all have our pet peeves. Things that really get under our skin. Like when someone interrupts you and finishes your thought. Especially if they do it in a foreign language. Or the guy at the football game who keeps asking what inning it is. Then there’s the blogger who tries to come up with a clever way to begin a post instead of getting right to it. Fortunately, these irritants rarely cause lasting damage, but those that physically get under your skin are another story. They can interfere with natural skin function and compromise your general health.
Daily threats
Your skin is constantly exposed to dirt, bacteria, and environmental toxins. And your face is especially vulnerable. When these particles get into your skin, they can irritate it, clog skin pores, and lead to a variety of issues. Proper cleansing twice a day helps. So will alternating your cleanser with an exfoliating scrub to deep-clean skin and strip away dead skin cells.
Hidden dangers
Far more insidious than airborne irritants are the harmful, chemical additives often found in skincare and grooming products. Skincare companies use them because they’re cheaper and easier to work with. To be clear (which is what we want your skin to be), we’re not saying all chemicals are bad. Those that are plant-derived can safely enhance product performance and support skin health. It’s the others that have proved dangerous to your skin and overall health. They’re the ones to avoid.
The following are some of the common culprits...
- Benzoyl Peroxide is an anti-bacterial typically found in anti-acne products. It can irritate skin and eyes, cause respiratory problems, and lead to DNA damage and cancer.
- Diethanolamine (DEA) is used in soaps and shampoos for its foaming action. This known toxin can irritate the skin and eyes, and accumulate in the body where it can lead to more serious damage.
- Dioxins are routinely buried in facial and body cleansers, moisturizers, hair products, and sunscreens. But because they’re a by-product of toxic manufacturing — not an actual ingredient — you’ll never find them on a label. They are deadly carcinogens and endocrine disrupters that can affect the immune and nervous systems.
- DMDM Hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl Urea are often used in body washes, antiperspirants, skin lotions, and shampoos as preservatives. Unfortunately, they won’t preserve your health. To contrary, they release formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation, headaches, and cancer.
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben to name just a few) are commonly found in shaving creams, deodorants, shampoos, and moisturizers. They are a deadly family of synthetic preservatives that can cause DNA damage and cancer.
- Phthalates are often used in aftershaves, skin lotions, soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, and artificially scented products as plasticizers, solvents, and fixatives to improve product performance and consistency. Serious hormone disrupters, they can cause kidney and liver damage, birth defects, and decreased sperm count.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a stabilizing additive found in moisturizers, skin creams, and cleansers. It is a petroleum-derived compound that can affect your immune and nervous systems, as well as organ function, lead to cancer, and cause birth defects.
- Propylene Glycol (PG) is a common additive in shaving creams, deodorants, moisturizers, suntan lotions, and toothpastes. A synthetic hydrating agent or humectant, it can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, and lead to liver, kidney, and brain damage. Although it’s supposed to support healthy moisture levels, it ultimately dries out skin.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is often found in skin cleansers and gels. Easily the dirtiest of toxic cleansing agents, it can dry and irritate skin, and cause eye damage.
- Triclosan is a popular antibacterial found in soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and medicated skin creams. It can damage the endocrine system and weaken the immune system. It’s also been linked to cancer.
Absorbing facts
The above are just some of the harmful additives commonly found in skincare and grooming products. There are plenty of others. All of them can compromise your skin’s vitality and general wellbeing. That’s because your skin can absorb up to 60% of whatever you put on it. Then it gets into your bloodstream and body. How can you avoid them? Switch to pure, natural skincare products. When they get under your skin, they’ll do it — and you — a world of good. And only good.