Do Your Skincare Products Contain Artificial Preservatives?
Skincare products should be formulated with the health of your skin and body in mind, but unfortunately, they aren’t always. Conventional skincare products contain artificial preservatives. We all know that limiting our exposure to toxins is important for our overall health. To limit our toxic load, we need to be mindful about what we eat, the household cleaners we choose to use, and our skincare products. When it comes to skincare, this means taking a close look at the ingredients and knowing what we are putting on our bodies. Let’s take a look at some of the most common artificial preservatives used in conventional skincare products.
When reading the label of most conventional skincare products, chances are you will see at least one of the following artificial preservatives:
Parabens: These are commonly used in lotions, skin cleansers and scrubs. Parabens are used to inhibit fungal and certain bacterial growth. Parabens are also sometimes used for scent, which means that the product may not even list “parabens” on the label, but rather disguised as “fragrance”. Studies show that parabens are absorbed through the skin. Parabens have been associated with endocrine (hormone), reproductive, breast, and skin issues.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: These artificial chemicals are commonly found in hair products and body washes. They are used to help prevent bacterial growth. There is a plethora of different names for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, making labels tricky to decipher. Some names used for these artificial preservatives are: diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, and glyoxal. Studies have linked formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives to imbalances, from minor skin issues to serious cellular damage.
BHA and BHT: These artificial preservatives are commonly found in lotions, creams, and lip balms. Look out for these artificial preservatives in packaged foods as well! These chemicals have been linked to endocrine (hormone) imbalance, reproductive issues, stomach issues, and other cellular imbalances.
Benzophenone and derivatives: These artificial chemicals are commonly found in sunscreens. They are also commonly used to preserve lip balms and moisturizers. While these chemicals do help to protect against UV light, they do so with some serious side effects. Use of these artificial chemicals has been linked to the following imbalances: reproductive, kidney, endocrine, cellular, and skin.
Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is commonly found in gels and many other skincare products, as it is used to inhibit microbial growth. Studies link phenoxyethanol to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and nervous system imbalance.
Skincare products need to be preserved, so they don’t spoil and present health concerns. The issue is that artificial preservatives keep conventional products from spoiling but pose a risk to the health of individuals using the products. The good news is that there are natural preservatives which can protect both the product and those using it. At Edye’s Naturals, we use all organic, natural preservatives to keep our products safe for you. Be on the lookout for our next newsletter, where we will take a closer look at natural preservatives.
