It all started with propylene glycol. I read an article which stated that this ingredient, which  de-ices airplanes and is a coolant and antifreeze can also be found  in your food, cosmetics and medicine. It is a possibly cancer causing and irritating to your skin, yet it can be found in almost every skin product on sale today.

To be fair, the argument for propylene glycol or PG is that it is safe when used in small quantities. But to me, a little bit in my food, on my skin and in my medications sure can add up!

 

Most people don't think anything of putting chemicals on their skin. You may think as long as the moisturizer has a label that states, “with shea butter” it's good for you. Think again! If you check the label on the back many moisturizers have mostly chemicals with the “all natural ingredient” close to the end of the list. Now remember that labels list ingredients from the highest percentage to the lowest. So how much of that aloe are you actually getting? Not enough to benefit your skin, that's for sure.

 

You may think that creams and makeup are just going to lie on your skin and won't make a difference. But did you know that most women eat up to 5 pounds of lipstick a year? I sure don't want to be eating any Butyl Paraben or propylene in the process! Did you also know that you aren't supposed to use Retin-A on your skin when you're pregnant? Why? Because creams can be absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream. So try to use them as little as possible or better yet avoid them altogether!

 

Three Chemicals to avoid:

 

This ingredient is used because it can feel cooling to the skin, it also traps moisture in your skin however, the chemical is known to irritate your eyes and skin. It may also cause liver and kidney damage. Now it may be safe in small quantities, but if you're using many of these items at once, it will add up. Read more about the dangers of propylene glycol here.

 

This ingredient is found mostly in shampoos, facial cleansers, soaps etc. Basically anything that foams. SLS is used because it is cheap and helps these products feel “foamier”. It is considered highly irritating and harmful to your skin and scalp. SLS may cause cancer and can cause an imbalance in your hormones. Read more about Sodium Lauryl Sulphate here.

 

Parabens are used as a preservative because it reduces bacteria in a wide variety of skin care and cosmetics. They are used in small quantities and some if the parabens are called Butyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Methyl Paraben and Propyl Paraben. Parabens have been shown to be a possible cancer causing chemical and have been found in breast tumours. Again, it is safe in small quantities but if you look at your labels, you'll find that almost everything that you put on your skin or face contains parabens, even creams that say they are “all natural”. Read more about Parabens here.

 

So make sure and check your labels; buy natural products and reduce your risk of cancer!