There is so much buzz about being healthy.
Everywhere I turn there is talk about a new protein powder, 10-minute fat-burning exercise, or Dr. Oz health tip.
Kraft dinner and canned ham have simply lost their coolness.
It makes me happy to see the wellness industry growing rapidly. But, I’m not happy about skincare sales up 9% in the last year.
Why?
Because the majority of skincare products are far from natural.
Not everything on the market is safe.
Now more than ever, we need to read our labels carefully and recognize that what we put onto our body is just as important as what we put into it.
Time to Toss These 5 Toxic Beauty Ingredients
#1 – PARABENS
Parabens prolong shelf life.
Since parabens keep products on the shelf longer, they are great for the manufacturer. But, they are not great for you.
Parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and are known hormone disruptors.
“As estrogen is a major aetiological factor in the growth and development of the majority of human breast cancers, it has been previously suggested by Darbre that parabens and other chemicals in underarm products may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer.”
There is research to demonstrate the harmful effects of parabens.
With over 90% of cosmetics containing parabens, it’s up to you to avoid them.
Look for paraben-free products.
#2 – FRAGRANCES
We all want our products to smell nice, but if they aren’t scented with essential oils, they’re likely made up of artificial, synthetic, and possibly toxic beauty ingredients.
The fragrance industry uses thousands of toxic chemicals.
Besides being one of the leading causes of allergies, fragrances often contain phthalates.
Phthalates have been linked to infertility, asthma, and cancer. My advice? Embrace your natural scent or choose natural essential oils.
#3 – MINERAL OIL
If you have no interest in smothering your skin with gasoline, keep mineral oil out of your bathroom cupboards.
This ingredient is a by-product of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Mineral oil may feel great on your skin, but it blocks pores.
The skin is the largest detoxification organ. If pores are blocked, toxins can buildup inside the body. This may increase the risk of developing chronic diseases.
Mineral oil may be listed on the label as petrolatum or paraffin wax/oil.
#4 – POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG)
PEG is an ingredient to avoid.
For those of you exercising, eating healthy, and trying your best to keep your skin glowing, products containing PEG will need to go into the trash can.
#5 – SODIUM LAURYL AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS)
This ingredient is a mutagen. A mutagen can change the genetic material found inside your cells.
The worst part is that the body can’t completely eliminate SLS. It lingers in the system for a very long time.
SLS may cause reproductive issues, hormonal imbalances, and possibly cancer.
It simply has no business in the human body.
Your skin needs nutrients – not chemicals!
I hope this article has inspired you to toss your harmful personal care products. It’s never too late to start shopping for natural hair, skin, and cosmetic products.
Happy Detoxing!
DRY SKIN BRUSHING (detox & improve the health of your skin)
MATERIALS
- soft natural fiber brush with a long handle
BENEFITS
- has an exfoliating effect which removes dead skin cells that clog pores
- stimulates the lymphatic system (the lymphatic system dumps out all the garbage in your body)
- naturally boosts the immune system
- stimulates the oil-producing glands to eliminate excess oil / debris
- enhances circulation
- eliminates cellulite
- prevents early aging by tightening the skin
- improves digestion
DIRECTIONS (10 minutes per day)
- Using your long handled skin brush (with natural fibers), begin brushing your bare, dry skin from the bottom up. Starting from the bottom of your feet, brush the skin in an upward direction.
- Always brush towards your heart (on the left side of your chest).
- The goal is to stimulate circulation back to the heart.
PLEASE NOTE:
* Avoid dry skin brushing over areas where you have skin sores, rashes, cuts or infections.
Dr. Sara has appeared on multiple radio shows/podcasts, the W Network, Breakfast Television and CP24. For almost 5 years, she worked as the National Spokesperson for a well-known digestive wellness brand, educating across the globe on gut health. Dr. Sara has been named a rising star in Canada receiving the Generation Next award for her outstanding contribution to shaping the future of Canada’s grocery industry. She frequently contributes to large publications and has been published in Best Health Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Sweat Equity, Grocery Business, Inside Fitness, Canadian Living, Elevate, HELLO, and ELLE Canada.
Dr. Sara’s approach to healthcare is not as easy as taking a pill. The “quick-fix” approach is not one she subscribes to. While there’s a pill for just about everything, rarely do prescription drugs stop the course of disease - they merely mask symptoms. Dr. Sara believes true health requires a commitment from both the doctor and the patient.
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