Chemicals vs Skin

We all feel a sense of responsibility towards our body and skin so we read the list of ingredients on products we use. However there are many misconceptions about ingredients (chemical and natural), leading you to not pick the products you passionately smear on your face correctly. 

So what basic knowledge should you have to save your health right now and in the furture from the evil class of highly aggressive chemical products ? Read on. 

In all aspects of life, one must know what he must not do and then figure out what he wants to do. This philosophy can be applied to when buying your skin care products. 

So in this part of the article I am presenting to you some of the worst chemicals there are. I will talk you trough some of them. Then you will find a list of the most common/ worst chemicals and their effects on our bodies. After that there is a list of chemicals that are beneficial for your skin, along with highly recommended natural alternatives. Enjoy! 

—

Know what is a no-go 

As soon as you read that a product is alcohol based do not purchase it. It will be very harsh and unforgiving to your skin, breaking the natural skin barrier over time.  

Then why are products alcohol based, you may ask. That is because alcohol makes the actually beneficial factors penetrate the skin. Alcohol is also a good preservative, making the shelf life of the product longer. Furthermore it serves getting an appropriate consistency for the product and making it dry quicker. It rather serves the product than your skin.

Anything that has the word paraben in it, do not purchase. Paraben is highly hazardous and leads to hormonal imbalances, affects fertility and can lead to cancerous tumors. This also goes for metals, such as aluminum or lead. 

Polytheylene Glycol (PEG). Don’t confuse Glycerin with Glycol, like I used to. Glycerin has moisturizing effects on the skin, whereas Glycol can cause respiratory problems. 

NO-GO: 

( List of Most Common and Worst Chemicals) 

1. ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol denat, methanol [irritation, breakouts, dryness]
2. methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben [hormonal imbalances, cancer]
3. parfums [irritation]
4. Polytheylene Glycol (PEG) [respiratory problems] 
5. Formaldehyde [asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity]
6. Oxybenzone [endocrine disruptor, allergies]
7. Triclosan [inflammation, tumors, antibiotic resistent bacteria] 
8. Benzyl Salicylate [allergies, immunotoxicity]
9. Hexyl [allergic effects]
10. Formaldehyde [irritation, burning, nausea, cancer]
11. Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, and TEA) [liver tumors] 

Watch out for these ingredients the next time you read the back of the pack in the shop, before buying. 

Feel free to take a screen shot so you have this list whenever needed.  

Look for the good

I have also prepared a list of chemicals that are actually helpful for treating skin issues, however they should be used moderately and cautiously. 

Many natural ingredients like coconut oil or aloe vera do contain chemicals that are very good for your skin. These are of course skin friendlier and very much more recommended that the listed factors above. Coconut oil, for example, contains fatty acid compounds that are great for  the skin such as lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid. And these are only three purely beneficial ingredients that add up to the many benefits of coconut oil, such as having moisturizing and nutritious effects when applied topically. 

Effective Chemicals: 

( List of beneficial chemicals that are to be used moderately and correctly) 

1. Cetearyl, Stearyl, Cetyl and Behenyl (fatty alcohols) 
2. Salicylic acid
3. benzoyl peroxide (acne) 
4. Aloe Vera (contains various good chemicals, including two hormones: auxin and gibberellins) 
5. Coconut oil ( fatty acid compounds that are good your skin: lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid )
6. hyaluronic acid 
7. Essential oils