Bet you didn’t think your favorite skincare products were making you lethargic, overweight, and out of whack.
We’ve all heard that artificial ingredients, parabens, and preservatives are toxic to our health. So, we make an effort to eat less junk food and more fruits and veggies. To protect ourselves against obesity and certain cancers, we care about what goes down the hatch. But it’s not just what we eat that matters - these same toxins are in over ninety percent of skincare products. And they are equally absorbed through the skin.
The skin is the largest organ of our body and much of what we put on our skin gets into our bloodstreams. It’s not completely shocking - nicotine patches and birth control patches have been around for ages. (If you’re unfamiliar, these patches administer effective doses of medicine by penetrating the skin’s multiple layers to get into the bloodstream.) The American Journal of Public Health also studied the skin’s absorption rates of chemicals in drinking water this past year. They found that 64% of the chemicals in contaminated water were absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Although most people don’t think twice about the safety of their skincare, the products they use daily are filled with chemicals that are significant contributors to weight gain, disease, rapid aging, and cancer. These toxins might not have an effect right away, but they build up in our bodies over time.
Chemicals in skincare are linked to:
- Hormone imbalances
- Weight gain
- Irregular, painful periods
- Infertility
- Premature aging & wrinkling
- Cancer
- Birth defects in children
How is this allowed? Here’s a few scary facts about skin care regulation in the US:
- The government doesn’t regulate the safety of our products here in the US. Instead, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (a panel entirely appointed and funded by the cosmetic industry’s biggest brands) exists to regulate them.
- Getting a product approved as safe isn’t legitimate - out of the 80,000 synthetic chemicals approved for the marketplace, only 5% have ever been tested for safety.
- An average of seven new chemicals get approved by daily, and 80% of them are approved with zero safety testing done.
- The cosmetic industry argues that it’s okay to use these harmful ingredients because they are “safe” in small amounts. However, we use more than just one product a day (shampoo, soap, moisturizer, toothpaste, deodorant), which means we’re exposed to an unsafe amount morning, noon, and night.
- Brands are allowed to disguise harmful ingredients in their products with alias names (ie. fragrances). This is constituted because general ingredient categories are considered “trade secrets” and need not be disclosed to the public.
Chemicals to Beware Of
The most common and dangerous ingredients to beware of are parabens, phthalates, and fragrances. Paraben’s prevent bacteria growth and are linked with breast cancer and reproductive issues. Phthalates are disguised as “fragrances” or “perfumes”, but disrupts the hormones that regulate growth, development, metabolism, and sexual/reproductive function. Artificial fragrances could really be any toxic chemical - so watch out especially for those.
The 6 Best Ingredients For Natural Skincare
Aloe Vera
The benefits of Aloe Vera for the skin are both medicinal and beautifying. Aloe Vera has a unique genetic makeup that allows it to penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin; bringing all of its nutrients down to the cells. It contains over 100 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and amino acids that work synergistically to heal the skin from the inside out.
Green Tea
Green tea is the number one topical treatment for oily skin and acne because it inhibits the activity of excess sebum (oil) production. It does this by balancing out the oil-causing, androgenic hormones (DHT and testosterone), which bind to the glands and stimulate sebum production, and brings nutrient-dense moisture to the pores instead.
Reishi Mushroom
The Reishi mushroom is a naturally powerful age and acne defender. It contains a high content of polysaccharides and antioxidants, which aids in anti-aging, anti-inflammation, and cell regeneration. Reishi has also proven to be a powerful cancer preventative and research indicates that it may even eliminate existing cancer cells in the body.
Yucca Root
Yucca root has an SPF higher than commercial sunscreen! Yucca was called the “soap root” by Native Americans due to its lathering, deep cleansing, and detoxifying abilities. Rich in vitamins A, B, C, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, magnese, and phosphorus, Yucca makes an excellent skin conditioning and healing ingredient.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is rich in vitamin A and E, which are great for hydrating dry skin and soothing rashes (including diaper rash), sunburn, cracked skin, eczema, and dermatitis. It’s anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and boosts collagen production, which is helpful in diminishing wrinkles and fine lines. This botanical butter heals scars, cellulite, and stretch marks and even prevents stretch marks during pregnancy.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba Oil is a powerful, youth-boosting moisturizer that’s extremely rich in Vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals and stops cell damage. Jojoba oil is nourishing to the skin and is a proven therapy for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. It’s also non-comedogenic, which means that it won’t clog pores and lets the skin breathe.
Choosing Safe Skincare
When we learned that the majority of skincare products were toxic to our health, we were outraged. But we were also inspired to make change. Our family created Aloe Infusion to bring 100% safe and effective skincare to the marketplace. We use only soothing, botanical ingredients that offer the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your skin needs to be youthful and healthy. We combine ultra-hydrating Aloe Vera with 10+ superfood ingredients (including the ones mentioned above) to create the ultimate skincare for all skin types.
I’ve gone ahead and enclosed a 20% off Coupon below for you to use if you choose to snag a jar - remember, you DESERVE to have naturally flawless skin without sacrificing your health!
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