Toxic Skincare – The Beautiful But Poisoned Chalice

Learn just how toxic skincare can be, and why it’s so important to choose your beauty products carefully. We discuss some of the links common skincare chemicals have with disease, and the absorptive capacity of our skin.

Our skin is highly absorbent, and provides a pathway into our bloodstream for many of the ingredients in our skin care and makeup. Women on average absorb more than 14kg of the ingredients in face and body care products alone over 60 years – that is not counting those we absorb from cosmetics. Yet most of us use skin care that is filled with chemicals that can accumulate in our bodies, and may, over time, provide harmful.

For example, one common ingredient in skincare is parabens. Parabens can have an effect similar to estrogen, and may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. A study conducted by researchers in Britain found that there were traces of parabens in the tissue of women who had breast cancer. Whilst they are not suggesting that the parabens caused these women’s cancer, they pointed out that this is the first study that shows that these chemicals do accumulate in our bodies. So even though we may only be absorbing a small amount each day, that can build up to a more significant amount over time.

Some ingredients have very concerning chemical relatives. For example, talcum powder is in the same group of minerals as asbestos, and there is a 300 to 400% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer when it is used regularly. The common emulsifiers used to thicken and bind products are known to be irritating to the skin, yet they are used in nearly every skin care product to prevent it from separating. These emulsifiers include monostearate, and stearic acid. Another one, triethanolamine, can cause allergies on contact with the skin, and in some people causes Eczema. Other emulsifiers such as the ethoxylate group (abbreviated usually to something like PEG-20-stearate – or PEG-something else), have an interesting association with World War 1. Then, a by-product of it was used as part of chemical warfare.

Interestingly, although skin is so highly absorbent, there are products which are banned in food use still used in skin care and makeup. These include certain artificial colors, such as FDC Red 4, FDC Red 1, and Food Red 1. They were banned from use in food because they are known to cause urinary bladder polyps and wasting of the adrenal glands, yet they are allowed to become part of the 14kg of chemicals women will absorb over 60 years into their bloodstream.

If we begin to look closer at the ingredients in our skincare and make-up, this disturbing theme of toxicity comes up again and again. Whilst these chemicals are present in only very small amounts, the potential for them to build up is real. It’s no wonder so many women are opting for organic skincare.

Anousta manufacture a range of naturally Organic Skincare products at their factory in Wimborne Dorset. Every batch is hand made and made in smal quantities to ensure their lipsalves and handcreams are always fresh. Anousta products are naturally made for naturally beautiful women.

Learn more about natural skincare with aromatherapy here, including recipes. Rebecca presents health and natural beauty articles here.

By Rebecca Prescott

Technorati Tags: handcreams, organic skin care products, organic skincare products

The Essentials for Youthful Looking Hands

Are you neglecting your hands in your skin care regime? Just like the face and neck area, hands need TLC to fight the signs of ageing.

All too often, we neglect our hands as part of our skin care regime. The hands, just like the face, age with lines, wrinkles, and brown spots. Additionally, as we age the skin on the back of your hands looses elasticity and the skin becomes thinner. Furthermore, the hands can be a real distraction when neglected, (dirty fingernails, coarse cuticles, calluses, etc.). Your hands are part of your first impression in when meeting new people. Are you ever taken aback by someone’s hand when they shake yours?

As with the face, your hands and nails need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation. Additionally, your hands need moisturizing to hydrate and soften. Furthermore, hands should be protected from sun damage. Below are some tips to promote youthful hands and a well manicure look:

Hand Care

I personally encourage the use of rubber gloves when cleaning or doing dishes. The anti-bacterial soaps and other cleaning products are detrimental to the hands. They extract all the natural oils from the hands and leave them dry and vulnerable to wrinkles. In addition, harsh soaps can cause contact dermatitis.

Clean, soft, and smooth hands can be easily accomplished with the right cleansing products. An exfoliate to remove calluses can be easily made with natural ingredients already in your kitchen, such as oatmeal, cornmeal or even sugar. After exfoliation, rinse and apply a moisturizing hand cream. Below is a simple exfoliating recipe for the hands or for all over the body.

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup canola oil

Mix ingredients and rub into hands. Feel the granules of the sugar smooth out rough spots and the oil moisturize the skin. A simple but effective recipe.

Finally, always protect your hands with a sunscreen.

Look at your hands now. Are they soft, supple, and feeling great or are they dry, cracked and need a little TLC? Following the easy steps listed above you will see a remarkable improvement in the appearance of your hands.

Tips for Fingernail Care:

Keep your nails manicured to a length that suits you. When filing your nails use an upward stroke along the top side of the nail. The new trend in nail appearance is square at the top versus the rounded appearance. Whatever your choice do not file your nails along the side walls as this weakens the nail.

Applying nail polish is fine, however in the removal process be sure to rinse your nails with water. The nail polish remover has a tendency dissolve the nail thus weakening them. In addition, do a patch test prior to using nail polish remover, as it has been know to cause contact dermatitis in some people.

When cleaning your nails, use a nail brush in the shower or sink. Digging too far underneath the nail destroys the nail base and enlarges the white space between the nail plate and nail base. A gentle nail brush is much better for cleaning the nails. In addition, the gentle scrubbing under the fingernail promotes circulation to the finger tip.

The cuticle is an important part of the fingernail. It seals the area at the base of the nail protecting the nail base and the nail development system. Poking, prodding and cutting at the cuticle are not necessary. Doing so leaves your fingernail vulnerable to infection and bacteria. Once bacteria or infection sets in under the cuticle or nail, your nails will grow out with ridges or other unsightly markings. Gently massaging the cuticle with cuticle creams or lotion is fine to promote circulation and soften the cuticle for a well manicure look.

A nice cuticle softener is olive oil. Just dab a small amount onto the cuticle and massage.

Skin Care Recipes
Fun and easy skin care recipes

Technorati Tags: hand cream, Handcream, soothing balm