Are You Using Toxic Skin Products?

Have you ever examined the ingredients listed on the labels of your cosmetics or other skin care products? Do you know what those ingredients are?

What you may not realize is that many of the skin care products and cosmetics you are buying contain ingredients that are not only harmful to your skin, but also to your long term health. Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and are used by the cosmetic industry simply because they are cheap!

Harmful Ingredients Commonly Found in Skin Care Products and Cosmetics
The following are just some of the synthetic chemicals that have been identified by scientific studies to be harmful to our health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Often described as being "derived from coconut" to disguise their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain, heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children's eyes from developing properly.

Paraben Preservatives
Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol
Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol
Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine)
These substances are harsh solvents and detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

Aluminum
A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease.

Mineral Oil
Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin's natural moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

Talc
Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

How To Avoid These Toxins
Examine the labels of your cosmetics and skin care products carefully, and learn to recognize ingredients that are harmful to your skin and to your health. Many web sites have lists of potentially harmful ingredients in addition to those shown above (e.g. Environmental Working Group).

Don't be fooled by the words 'natural' or 'organic' on the front of the label. Many products contain at least one or two natural or organic ingredients, but they may also contain harmful synthetic chemicals as well.

Whenever possible, choose products with 100% natural ingredients such as essential oils and herbs. Your skin will love you for it!

Do Natural Skin Care Work?

When trying to decide on skin care treatments to improve your beauty, there are numerous options to choose from. Conversely things change when it comes to searching for all natural skin care. As a matter of fact, even though there are numerous stores around and online where you can purchase natural items for your skin, it is hard to distinguish whether the products the companies are selling are genuine or not.

Leaning towards natural remedies for skin care is all the rage these days. Like in China everyone drinks collagen a natural protein which is produced by cells throughout our body. They even have collagen with chicken and vegetables while others use collagen syringes and use facials.

But collagen is not the only natural remedy available. The first thing to do is make a list of the items that are potentially natural and good for your skin. You can do this by searching online and doing a research on the phrase all natural items for skin care. Once you have completed this list you are ready to start your order. Bear in mind, the only way you can determine whether an item is a good all natural skin care product is by trying it out on yourself. Once you have determined that the ingredient is good for you, then you can start ordering the item online or purchasing it at a store.

The best places to purchase these products are from vendors who are specialized in organic skin care. These places are hard to find these days but are really efficient since the products the sell are hand blended and are free of water, toxins and chemicals that could damage the skin once they are used.

Thanks to modern technology, many of the natural skin care remedies that have been used for centuries in their original form have been perfected, allowing for a more balanced harmony between the beauty of natural ingredients and the nutrients and the antioxidants that can easily be absorbed by the skin.

There are a number of all natural skin care items that have been used since the beginning of time to combat skin issues such as dry skin and eczema and dermatitis. Generally, the herbs used are formulated in oils and then they are infused to make the formula of the product itself.

Natural remedies consisting of herbal skin care products are all supposed to lend a hand in revitalizing, restoring and refreshing the skin. Last but not least, whatever remedy you choose, remember that going natural is far more better for your skin rather than using toxins and chemicals.

Choosing Only the Right Cosmetics For Your Skin

By Emily Addison

Manufacturers of cosmetics nowadays actually claim they have the perfect cosmetics that will make you look younger, more vibrant and most especially more beautiful. They promise that their cosmetics can take away all the blemishes, wrinkles, and other imperfections on your skin. Well, although some of these manufacturers actually have the perfect cosmetics that could help you with your problems, there are some who are just plainly playing with your emotions through their claims, advertisements and packaging. Thus, it is important that you know what are the things to look out for when choosing cosmetics for your skin.

Things to Consider

1. Ads on magazines or newspapers. First, check on the ads on magazines or newspapers. Assess if the cosmetics are over-promoted on the ads. Manufacturers oftentimes make their cosmetics appear really good and irresistible so be very careful. Never opt out just because of compelling ads on magazines or newspapers.

2. Ingredients listed on the label. Second most important thing you should consider checking is the list of ingredients on the label. List has the names of the ingredients used and information whether or not ingredients come from natural sources. But unfortunately, there are no industry standards for what "natural" means. And it is possible that there maybe natural ingredients present but are just added to synthetic ones. Be extra careful, collect some more information.

Similarly, on the list of ingredients you will be able to know if ingredients are safe and healthy. Never ever forget to check this list.

3. Well designed labels. A lot of manufacturers are willing to spend a lot of time, money, and effort to have well designed labels so people will feel their cosmetics are irresistible. Unfortunately, the well designed, pretty labels don't guarantee anything. Oftentimes, they are used to entice customers. Thus, never buy any cosmetic because of well designed label.

4. Possible allergic reactions. It is best if the cosmetic is hypoallergenic. This doesn't actually means that it wont cause allergic reactions but the possibility it will is indeed lesser. Thus, always check if there is an info telling if the cosmetic causes allergic reactions or not.

About the Author:

This author is a Huge fan of Discount Mary Kay Cosmetics and Mary Kay Skin Care.

Daily Skin Care Routine

By Bart Icles

Skincare can be an easy daily part of your routine if you make a simple and effective plan and stick to it. There is no way to get healthy skin unless you put time aside to care for your skin, just like you cant expect to have a beautiful flower garden without planned work and care of it. So what are some important aspects of a routine for healthy skin?

First- Determine what skin type yours is. There are 4 major skin types- Oily, Normal, Dry or Combination.

Oily skin types struggle because they have too much the oil your skin needs to stay healthy. Their battle is monitoring the levels of moisture on their face. Normal skin although called normal is actual more rare. It has a good place of oils and only struggles occasionally with oil levels. This skin type needs to make sure they face wash is very mild and isnt adding unnecessary moisture to their skin.

Dry skin is just that, dry. There isnt enough of the helpful oil in their pores and so in order to keep a healthy appearance they need to incorporate lotions.

And Combination skin has patches of both oily and dry. They may need lotion in one area of their face and not in others.

Once you have determined which skin type you are you need to find a face wash that will give your skin what it needs. Be sure to plan a time daily when you can wash your face but make sure you are only doing it once a day. It is hard on your skin if you are constantly stripping everything from it 2 or 3 times a day.

Be cautious in how you treat your zits and blemishes. Yes they are a visible problem but you have to remember that they are very sensitive. Picking at them will only harm them more and turn them into permanent scars. Instead find a cream that will dry them out and apply that regularly. It will keep you skin from unnecessary scars and pock marks.

Finally be sure to apply sunscreen to your skin regularly. The sun is the strongest enemy of your skin it is really harsh and a daily habit of applying a low SPF sunscreen will give you skin the protection it needs. The effects of the sun arent often seen until later years but if you start now you will be ahead then.

About the Author:

There is a variety of skin care solution. Organic Skin Care is one along with other professional products such as Obagi. It is important to find the system that works for you and stick with it.

The Ultimate Guide For Home Acne Remedy

By David Lam

Acne is a skin problem widely known and faced by almost all of our people especially teenagers and young adults. When not given enough attention and care, acne can actually give you serious problems. Nowadays doctors and advertisements offer us different products that might help solve our worries about acne.

However it is still better if you can actually cure it before seeing or consulting your doctor. There are actually acne home remedies that you can find and use inside your home or in your garden. All you have to do is to know how you can use that acne home remedy to finally say goodbye to your acne worries.

Does toothpaste work?

There is still no scientific basis nor findings yet that discusses how the toothpaste can really lessen the spread of acne. In fact, it is one of the most widely used home acne remedy by people! It might be a result of trial and discovery that made the toothpaste serve not only to clean the teeth however also as an unusual acne home remedy!

All you need to do is just apply it directly to your zits before sleeping. This is believed that it can help manage the swelling overnight. Just make sure that it is not the gel form but the paste.

The salty-sour way to get rid of Acne

It is actually previously proven that salt can be used as an acne home remedy. Just prepare a salt solution and wash your face with it twice everyday. This will remove the excess oil in your face which is the main cause of pimples. You actually have an option to add vinegar directly on the affected area and leave for 15-20 minutes.

Fruity Procedures

Fruits are definitely not just for food! They are not only good for inner nutrition but can also be used as cure for outer health problems. You can actually use some of them to be your acne home remedy!

One matter you can do is to place strawberry leaves just directly on the affected part. Another is by applying fresh lemon juice mixed with rose water in your face and leaving it for about 15 minutes. A continuous application of this for 15 days is will give you amazing results!

On the other hand, ground orange peel added with water to make into a paste and applied on acne can also make your face free from acne again. Lime combined with rose water is also a highly recommended acne home remedy! All you need to do is just apply it on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Juice made of Papaya applied on the affected area is also another great alternative. Beside a paste made of ripe tomatoes is also an effective solution! There is so many great acne home remedies to choose from!

The power of the plant species against acne

Just like the fruits mentioned above, there are many herbs and other plants that also proved to serve as a good acne home remedy. You can try methi leaves made into a paste and applied to stay in your face for 10-15 minutes. Two cloves of crushed garlic applied twice a day is another option, just bear with the strong smell of this home acne remedy!

A combination of sweet fennel essential oils, witch hazel and tea tree added with water can also give satisfactory results. Just stir or shake it before applying on the swelling area twice or thrice a day. Remember to use cotton wool each time you put it on.

Moreover Aloe Vera is also proven to be great as an acne home remedy! Just make into a juice out of it and apply it twice a day for the fast healing of your lesions. Vegetables like cucumber will never be out of the list for beauty regimen. You just need to apply a paste of it as a mask and leave it for 30 minutes. A paste of ground radish, as well as ground sesame seeds are also great alternatives when treating your acne.

About the Author:

David Lam, who has studies various medical studies and stop suffering from acne naturally, willing to share his experience through website where you can get Free E-book and Useful Resources about Acne Skin Care and Acne Product.