Healthy Lifestyle Knowledge Foundation Opening Ceremony

Toxic Ingredients to avoid in Makeup and skincare products

Toxic Ingredients to avoid in Makeup and Skincare Products

Our skin is a porous organ and it absorbs a lot of what we put on it. Simply, when you take a shower an average of 1.5 liters of water is soaked by our body. Have you ever counted how many cosmetics or personal care products you use in a day ? To name a few chances are they include toothpaste, deodorant, hair conditioner, shampoo, soap, lip balm, body lotion, sunscreen, shaving products for men, cosmetics for women, and baby oils for children.

These cosmetics contain a wide range of synthetic chemicals that do not sit on the surface of our skin because they are designed to penetrate and they do. Recent studies indicate that many cosmetic ingredients do appear in tissues, urine and human fat. Feminization of male babies is linked to a common fragrant component diethylphthalate.

Baby oil : Take a deep breath as you are going to learn that baby oil is actually a mineral oil. Mineral oil is a liquid by product of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline from crude oil. Human skin is responsible for the production of vitamin D when exposed to sun's ultra violet rays. It cools the body and ejects toxin through sweat. Mineral oil prohibits skin from performing these vital tasks. Mineral oil is considered " comedogenic" which means it can clog your pores and increase your risk of acne and blackheads.

Mineral oil is commonly found in baby oil, vaseline, petroleum jelly, moisturizers, foundation to lip balm. It is known by different names like liquid petroleum, paraffin oil, and white mineral oil. According to 2011 study mineral oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of human body, amounting to one gram per person. It actually seals your skin and prevents it from breathing.

Baby oil should never be used on babies skin. It can cause permanent brain damage and death when inhaled.  As you know that babies love to put their hands in their mouth and whatever is on their hands is also going in their mouths. It leads to nutritional deficiencies specifically fat soluble vitamins A,D,E & K  .

"Don't put anything on your skin you would not eat."

Shine in your lip gloss also contains petroleum jelly and when you spread it on your lips , it ends up in your body. Over years of accumulated petroleum jelly it can easily cross 7 pounds.  Over use of it can cause various hormonal disruptions like endometriosis, miscarriages, ovarian abnormalities and decreased immune function.  Mineral oil damages skin cells and cause serious damage to kidney and liver. It can cause elevated estrogen levels and hormonal imbalance, low sperm count, low sex drive, testicular and prostate cancers. Daily and continuous use of products containing mineral oil is linked to breast cancer, thyroid disease, early puberty in girls, weight gain, irregular menses and depression.

 

Chemicals of concern in cosmetics :

Coal tar derived colours or dyes : Coal tar is derived from petroleum and is a known carcinogen ( cancer causing). It is generally contaminated with aluminum substrate and  cause brain damage . Women who used hair dyes for a longer period had an increased risk of developing non- Hodgkin's lymphoma ( Cancer of the lymph system).

Sodium laureth sulfate  (SLES) or sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) :  These are found in cosmetics like shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers, dish soap  and act as detergent, make bubbles and foam. It can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.

Triclosan :  Triclosan is used in diverse range of products including hand sanitizers, tooth paste, cleansers, antiperspirants, and antibacterial cosmetics. It is a suspected endocrine disrupter and cause antibiotic resistant bacteria. It is also used as a preservative to resist bacteria, mold, fungus etc. and is added to garbage bags, toys, linens, mattresses, toilet fixtures and fabrics.

Parabens : Methyl paraben, propyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, ethyl paraben ,and benzyl paraben are used as a preservative in deodorants and anti-perspirants. These can disrupt hormones and interfere with reproductive functions and easily penetrates the skin.

BHA and BHT : Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are used in lipsticks and moisturizers as preservatives. these chemicals can easily cause allergic reactions in the skin, kidney, thyroid, liver problems and lung diseases.

DBP : Dibutyl phthalates are included in nail products as a solvent. These are linked to cause development defects, genetic mutations, changes in testes and prostate problems.

PEG Compounds :  Propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol are contaminated with 1,4- dioxane and cause cancer, damage the nervous system and interferes with human development.

Cyclomethicone, cyclotetrasiloxane : These are used to soften, smoothen and moisten as facial treatments. But they are responsible for causing uterine cancers, harm the reproductive and immune system.

Read labels ! If you can't pronounce it, don't use it. It doesn't sound natural.

Only use products made from living organic ingredients directly from the mother earth.

Coconut oil stands above all the natural oils :

Cleansing with coconut oil :   Massage with coconut oil liberates the oil from your skin along with impurities. When you apply steam with hot wash cloth to your face, dirty oil is lifted  which you can easily remove or wipe away. Coconut oil is a great cleanser, moisturizer, antibacterial and full of antioxidants. It is suitable for all skin types. It helps improve stretch marks, scars , fine lines and wrinkles.

How to clean your face with coconut oil ?    

1. Put about a teaspoon of coconut oil on the palm of your hand.

2. Warm the oil by rubbing with both hands back and forth.

3. Massage the oil onto your face with small circular strokes  for about a minute.

4. Take a wash cloth and rinse it in hot water and wring out extra water and place the cloth on your face for at least 30 seconds.

5. Now wipe the oil gently and completely .

Natural Homemade baby Oils :

The following types of essential oils can be used on their own or in  combination formulas that are significantly more eco-friendly than mineral oil.

Primrose oil :  Primrose oil is generally added to homemade baby oils as a protectant against skin diseases, and rashes.

Chamomile oils : Such as Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile are very calming, soothing and helpful in easing skin irritations.

Rose oil : It soothes and softens a baby's skin with its natural delicate and pleasant scent.

Sweet almond oil : This oil is very effective  for babies with very sensitive skin and moisturize the skin for a longer period.

Emu oil :  Emu is an Australian Bird and its oil contains both oleic and linoleic acids and makes a superb moisturizer as it gets absorbed very thoroughly in the skin.

Camellia oil :  or Tea seed oil is very rich in vitamins A and B vitamins and enriches your skin. It has no scent and very light weight.

Olive oil :  Olive oil has abundance of antioxidants like vitamin A and E . They help repair skin from inside out and acts as a moisturizer too. Keep in mind it needs damp skin before applying olive oil in order to reduce greasiness. 

Coconut oil : Coconut oil is one of the best oil for all types of skins including sensitive skins. It can be used with other essential oils too. it is a great moisturizer as well as antibacterial.   

"GOOD HEALTH "

Sukhwinder Brar

President

Healthy lifestyle Knowledge Foundation                  

 

 

Why You Should Use Aluminum- Free Deodorant ?

The next time you lift your hand for your favourite deodorant or antiperspirant to get rid of that embarrassing odour, think twice - for some of these may cause serious health problems, including cancer. An adult human body has about two million sweat glands that keep our body cool by producing sweat. There are two types of sweat glands, eccrine and apocrine. The eccrine glands are temperature sensitive and adjust the amount of sweat and keep the skin moist. The apocrine sweat glands on the other hand  controlled by body's hormone system and are activated by emotional stress.

Deodorants, antiperspirants and Perfumes:

 Body odour is caused by  bacteria breaking down apocrine sweat on the skin which causes odour and due to its ammonia turns clothing yellow. Similarly, non water component of eccrine sweat, sodium chloride, causes the body odour. Antiperspirants are expected to reduce perspiration and body wetness, deodorants are supposed to remove body odour. Perfumes, on the other hand, are a totally different product which merely mask the body odour, not remove it.

While deodorants are based on chemicals meant to kill odour-producing bacteria, anti-perspirants are based on astringent salts which retard the flow of eccrine sweat. However , a regular use may cause several health problems including cancer. To be classified as an anti-perspirant, the product must contain aluminum. For all the aluminum salts used in anti-perspirants are very acidic when mixed with perspiration. Cancer cells can only grow in acidic medium. Nothing can grow  in alkaline medium including bacteria, fungus , yeast and virus .

Although cosmetic products were used even as long as 3500 BC in ancient Egypt, the mass marketing of recent decades has resulted in unprecedented quantities being now used on the human body. most common deodorants on the shelves like Axe, Secret, Old Spice, Dove, Right Guard typically contain chemical toxins. Razor nicks may increase the risk of skin infection and absorbability of aluminum from deodorants. The degree of antiperspirant/ deodorant usage and axillary (armpit) shaving is associated with an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis.

Research studies :

 In 2004 study , which found parabens in 18 of 20 samples of tissue from human breast tumors( source Whelan). A 2007 study measured the aluminum content of breast tissue from 17 breast cancer patients and found that the aluminum levels were higher in the outer regions of the breast, in close proximity to where antiperspirant would be applied (Medical News)

Aluminum and zirconium from deodorants, which are applied frequently in exactly the same place and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen like effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells. Dr Philippa Darbre, a cancer researcher at the University of Reading published an article in the September 2005 issue of the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry titled " Aluminum, antiperspirants and breast cancer. Britain has one of the world's highest rates of breast cancers. Britons are also big users of deodorants and antiperspirants. By blocking sweat glands in the armpits ( particularly in women who shave their underarms), antiperspirants allow toxic compounds to accumulate in the underarm lymph nodes near the breasts, prompting cancer to develop. The rise of breast cancer in men parallels the increase in women, and has also doubled in the past three decades.

How deodorants cause cancer ?

The majority of breast cancers occur in the part of the breast that is the closest to the armpit, where we apply antiperspirants and deodorants. The location is referred to as the upper outer quadrant. If the use of antiperspirants is to blame, this would be accounted for by the fact most people are right-handed and likely to apply more deodorant to their left armpit. Dr Darbre advises all women to "cut down or cut out" antiperspirants especially those with a history of breast cancer. Please be advised that everything including chemicals in deodorants is toxic at high levels. There is evidence that skin is permeable to aluminum when applied as antiperspirant.

Antiperspirants work by preventing perspiration from occurring. Deodorants allow perspiration but block odour. Even aluminum free deodorants contain propylene glycol and triclosan fierce endocrine disrupters. However, you can really avoid these poisons and still take care of your beauty needs. Beauty requires sacrifices, but none of them should be your health. There are plenty of deodorants out there that don't contain harmful ingredients and get the job done naturally.

 Aubrey Organics, Crystal Body, Jason, Pure and Natural, Weleda, Avalon Natural Products,  Dessert Essence, Kiss My Face, Terra Naturals, Burt's Bees, Earth Essentials, Miessence, Tom's of Maine are some of the brands that contain natural ingredients .Always read ingredients list , even reputed brands may contain propylene glycol.

Most natural deodorants are "crystal" deodorant stones and made from alum (potassium alum). The full chemical name of potassium alum is actually potassium aluminum sulphate. Use your common sense while shopping for any kind of deodorant.

You can even make your own natural deodorant at home and it is aluminum free and works better than most deodorants. you will be surprised to k now that more women are using chemical free make-up options. in today's world overall consumers are becoming more aware of the dangerous chemicals in food and personal care products. I urge you to take an initiative and go organic and toxin free as early as possible and stand above the crowd.

Baking Soda coconut oil Deodorant Recipe :

Ingredients you need :

1. 1/4 Cup baking Soda (aluminum free)

2. 4 tablespoons coconut oil

3. 1/4 cup corn starch

4. 10 drops lavender essential oil ( Optional but not necessary)

Method of preparation :              

Mix corn starch and baking soda in a saucepan on low heat on stovetop. Melt one tablespoon coconut oil and stir gently to the mixture , adding more coconut oil till it reaches a consistency of dough. Remove from heat and add your favourite essential oil drops and stir well and store this mixture in a glass container.

Keep in mind that mixture will solidify and you have to reheat a little bit in hot water and apply to underarms lightly, it will work wonders. Baking soda being alkaline won't allow bad bacteria to multiply and produce odours. Coconut oil is a known antibacterial and doesn't clog the pores.