The old saying "beauty is only skin deep" often rings true when it comes to someone's looks. But when you're dealing with beauty products, it's the polar opposites.
Many beauty- and skin-care products can be extremely hazardous to not only your skin, but also your entire body. The skin is just a portal for cancer and other maladies — such as mutation and birth defects — when it comes to some of the components of these products.
Valerie Mason-Robinson, owner of the Eden Organix salon in Highland Park believes the time is now for rampant change in the beauty- and skin-care industry, and her store — which opened June 30 — is at the forefront of that movement, providing "green," healthyalternatives to the mainstream ones that can cause trouble.
"I test and evaluate every product before it hits the shelf," Mason-Robinson says. "I guess you can say I am a serious skin care junkie."
Mason-Robinson has done plenty of research in this area. Here are just a few of the harmful ingredients she has found to be prevalent in mainstream beauty- and skin-care products:
Recently detected in breast tumors, this preservative has been shown to disturb hormone function. Parabens are most commonly found in lipstick, blush, eye shadow and foundation. Also, they can cause contact dermatitis for those who are allergic.
This chemical probably is the most common harmful substance found in beauty- and skin-care products. It is used to create lather in many shampoos, soaps and hair-care products. It is a strong degreaser that dries skin and hair. It can cause contact eczema in some individuals and has been known to cause severe inflammation of the derma and epidermal tissue.
When combined with other chemicals, SLS can create nitrosamines, which are a potent class of carcinogens. They also are a potent skin and eye irritant. The phrase "made from coconut" often is a way to conceal the use of this chemical.
This is a petroleum derivative. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. However, there isn't even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.
These chemicals already are restricted in Europe because of their carcinogenic effects. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.
These are just a few of the potentially harmful ingredients that very well could be in the soap, shampoo, face cream or foundation you use. So be sure to take a look at the ingredients found on the back of your favorite product, and unless they are certified all-natural or organic, you might want to try something else.
More information about all-natural, organic products is available by visiting www.edenorganix.com or edenorganix.typepad.com.
Jeff Weber: (732) 565-7327; jweber@mycentraljersey.com
Healthy and supple skin is not so much of a dream if you take proper precautions...
Posted by: skin care treatment | July 31, 2008 at 06:45 AM