Five Ingredients To Avoid In Your Skin Care Routine
Are you looking for a new skincare routine? Are you unsure of what ingredients to avoid? Well, you're in luck! We're here to help. This post discusses five standard harmful components in skin care products and why you might like to avoid them.
- PARABENS
Methyl, Butyl, Propyl and Ethyl are preservatives that sometimes don’t make it onto the product's label. Parabens are widely used preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mould and yeast in cosmetic products and extend shelf life. These can possess estrogen-mimicking properties, which can lead to disease and illness. They have been isolated in breast cancer tumours and are often found in deodorants. They are also linked to hormone problems in teenagers.
- MINERAL OIL
Also called 'paraffin,' 'liquid petroleum', or 'paraffin oil,' Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation process to produce gasoline. Mineral oil has been used in skincare and cosmetics for a long time due to its ability to prevent moisture loss. (Ever hear of Vaseline, paw paw ointment?) Mineral oil acts like cling wrap on the skin, locking in moisture. It also traps sweat and dirt, clogs pores, increases the likelihood of acne and infection, and eliminates the body’s ability to remove toxins via sweat.
- SLS- SLES - The Sulfates
A "de-greaser” is found in many personal care products such as shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, shaving foam, and cosmetics. You will find it in similar concentrations in floor wash, car wash, and the mechanic's garage to clean engines. In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, sodium lauryl sulphate also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It also denatures skin proteins, which causes irritation and allows environmental contaminants easier access to more accessible, sensitive layers of the skin and your dermis!.
- FRAGRANCE
Often, manufacturers add artificial fragrances to mask unpleasant smells due to the mixture of different ingredients. While this sounds harmless, most fragrances may have toxic effects on the body. When an ingredient label says “fragrance” or “parfum,” it’s often an umbrella term for hundreds of chemicals that brands aren’t required to disclose because it is often seen as proprietary information or intellectual property. This is often referred to as a “cluster ingredient” as it can be up to 4,000 different chemicals. The ingredients of most scents include petroleum- or coal-derived chemicals. These are known skin and nose irritants. Fragrances can also be dangerous for people with respiratory issues. It might cause an allergic reaction when used.
- PHTHALATES
Phthalates like DBP, DEHP, and DEP are a class of plasticising chemicals. They make the fragrances in your skincare products stick to your skin or make the product more pliable. Plenty of research indicates that this family of ingredients disrupts the endocrine system and is toxic to our organs (both reproductive and non-reproductive).
We developed our unique natural Body Lotion, mindful that our skin needs to be nurtured while helping protect our environment. This lotion has none of the nasties listed above or others that may be in more commonly used commercial products. We have looked to nature to help nurture and restore your body.
Some of the powerful ingredients include:
Kakadu plum extract - Kakadu plum is a fruit native to Australia. It is thought to be the most concentrated vitamin C-containing fruit on the planet, with over 50 times more vitamin C than an orange. Topical vitamin C is a science-backed, dermatologist-favourite ingredient that may help slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne. Kakadu plum has many other benefits, such as a powerful antioxidant and natural antiseptic. It can help block oxidative stress and protect against skin constantly exposed to free radicals from UV rays and pollution. These free radicals cause fine lines, wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity and thus are responsible for premature aging. Kakadu Plum is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, Vitamins C and E, folic acid and carotenoids, which reverse the effects of free radicals. Gallic and Ellagic acids found in abundance in Kakadu Plum are antibacterial and antifungal. Being Phytochemicals, they help fight skin infections and work effectively in managing acne-prone skin.
Bilberry – Bilberries, cousins of the famous blueberries, are also teeming with antioxidants. It is also loaded with vitamins A, B, C, E, and K and is a mineral treasure trove with its delivery of zinc, iron, chromium, and manganese. This helps strengthen your skin’s barrier, reduce free radical damage, and lighten hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Most of the vitamins found in bilberry work as an anti-inflammatory which helps promote smooth, clear skin. They allow your skin to maintain a healthy dermis and epidermis layer while protecting it from breakout-causing bacteria. Finally, the tannin content in bilberries makes them an effective astringent that helps tighten and tone your skin while also locking in much-needed moisture for long-lasting hydration.
Coconut Oil contains nourishing fatty acids that help hydrate and protect the skin. These include linoleic acid (vitamin F), which helps skin retain moisture, and lauric acid, which has antibacterial properties. Coconut oil's emollient properties can be beneficial to repairing the skin's barrier function, the outermost layer of skin that defends your body against environmental threats. Besides being super hydrating, coconut oil can act as a protective layer that sits on top of the skin and locks in moisture. This protective layer helps repair cracks in the outer layers of the skin more efficiently, making it harder for harmful bacteria to invade and cause an infection. Coconut oil is also a wonderfully powerful and gentle exfoliant. It will help shed away dead skin cells that can dull your complexion, make you look older and unclog pores, and leave your skin supple and hydrated.
Sandalwood Essential Oil - Sandalwood oil contains antioxidants that help maintain the buoyancy and structure of the skin cells. It reduces dryness and replenishes the moisture in the skin, increasing elasticity. Sandalwood helps calm and soothe the skin from sunburn, acne, rashes, and insect bites. The alpha-santalol component of sandalwood acts as an inhibitor of abnormal pigmentation associated with aging and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It has also been found to relieve itchiness and inflammation of the skin, which is a bonus if you suffer from eczema or dry skin conditions.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Ylang ylang has been found to boost one’s mood, reduce depression, alleviate anxiety, lower blood pressure, and stimulate oil production in the skin and scalp. The potent antibacterial properties of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil make it a very effective skin cleanser. It also acts as a healing powerhouse, boosting the regenerative process of the epidermis. It helps regulate your sebum production. Whether your skin is dry or oily, Ylang Ylang oil helps correct the amount of fat your sebaceous glands produce, ensuring your complexion has just the right amount of moisture.
Aloe Vera - Research suggests aloe plants might be home to up to 200 different active compounds, such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids, that can help treat various skin conditions, like minor burns, psoriasis and dermatitis. Its leaves produce a gel rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B12. Research has found that aloin, a compound in the aloe plant, has anti-inflammatory properties that aid skin healing. It’s also teeming with antioxidants, and one antioxidant protein, metallothionein, has been found to have a protective effect on skin exposed to and damaged by UV rays. When applied topically, aloe vera has been shown to increase the water content of the outermost layer of skin, making it an ideal ingredient for dry skin types. Aloe also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen and elastin fibres in the skin—all of which are necessary to keep skin hydrated, firm, and supple, and all of which decline naturally with age.
At Base Essentials, we understand the importance of using natural body lotions. Our team of experts have created products working with naturopaths, microbial scientists and researchers to ensure that your body is nourished in a powerfully natural way.
