Tag chemicals

Are you aware of the harmful chemicals lurking in your skincare products? It’s time to peel back the layers and uncover the shocking truth. Our skin, our largest organ, has a remarkable ability to absorb what we put on it. If you don’t choose zero waste skincare products, you should be very aware of the dangers they pose. Learn more about it in the article “How to go zero waste with your skincare — and get more glowing than ever!”

While we may be diligent about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, unknowingly exposing ourselves to toxic ingredients can sabotage our efforts. So read on. We’ll be shining a light on some surprisingly harmful chemicals found in common skincare products that seep into our skin and explore safer alternatives for radiant and truly healthy skin.

Parabens

Let’s start by delving into parabens. These synthetic preservatives are widely used in skincare and beauty products to cancel the growth of bacteria and extend shelf life. While they may seem harmless, studies have raised concerns about their potential risks. Parabens have been found to mimic estrogen in the body, disrupting hormone function. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and has even been linked to breast cancer development. Fortunately, there are alternatives available! Look for skincare products that use natural preservatives, such as grapefruit seed extract or rosemary oil. These ingredients not only serve as effective antimicrobial agents but also offer additional benefits for your skin.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, is a common ingredient found in many skincare products. It has been used for years as a moisturizer and barrier on the skin. However, there are some surprising harmful effects that can occur when our skin absorbs this substance. One of the main concerns with petroleum jelly is its potential to clog pores. When applied to the skin, it forms a thick layer that can trap dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts and acne. This occlusive nature of petroleum jelly can also prevent the skin from breathing properly and hinder its natural exfoliation process, ultimately leading to potential cancer growth.

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, is a commonly used chemical in sunscreen and skincare products. It acts as a UV filter, absorbing and dissipating harmful UV rays from the sun. However, recent studies have often raised concerns about its potential harm to human health. Some research suggests that it may disrupt hormones, specifically estrogen levels, leading to reproductive and developmental issues. Additionally, oxybenzone has been found to be toxic to coral reefs when washed off into oceans and other water sources. This chemical contributes significantly to coral bleaching, which poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Instead, look for mineral-based sunscreens containing ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are way safer than oxybenzone.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde. It may sound like a chemical you’d find in a lab, but it’s actually commonly found in skincare products, too. This colorless gas is used as a preservative to avoid bacteria and mold from growing and thriving. However, its presence in skincare can have some harmful effects on our skin. When formaldehyde comes into contact with our skin, it is easily absorbed and can cause irritation and allergic reactions. In fact, formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen by several health organizations. If you want to avoid formaldehyde and its releasing agents in your skincare routine, look for products labeled “formaldehyde-free” or opt for natural preservatives such as essential oils or vitamin E.

What Are the Best, Safest Alternatives to These Ingredients?

Now that we have explored some of the surprisingly harmful chemicals found in skincare products, it’s essential to discuss the best alternatives. When it comes to parabens, look for products that use natural preservatives such as grapefruit seed extract or rosemary oil. These alternatives can help extend shelf life without compromising your health. Instead of petroleum jelly, opt for plant-based …

They say that nails reflect the overall personality of a person. People with clean nails are more organized and give importance to their hygiene while dirty nails may not speak well of a good image when it comes to the cleanliness of a person. And beautiful nails? Do they also mean a beautiful persona?

Nails are extensions of our skin. And so, they should also get the care we accord to our skin. From home care to skin products and professional skin care treatments, we do everything we can to be able to retain that youthful and flawless skin. Our nails may not require many of the procedures that we do to our skin, yet we should know how to care for them to complement our good-looking skin.

Moisturize Your Nails

Just as our skin needs moisture, our nail beds and cuticles also need it. This will avoid breakage of our nails and will make cuticles smoother and softer. Dry cuticles and nails that are easy to crack, chip or split indicate lack of moisture. We can prevent these through regular application of an oil-based cream on our nail beds.

Wear Gloves When Washing Clothes

Detergents can do damage to your nails. Prolonged exposure to dishwashing liquids and soaps can dry your nails from their natural moisture because of some chemicals that they contain. If you can wash your dirty fabrics with rubber gloves up to your elbows, then you should. But for some people who are not comfortable with gloves while handwashing clothes and dishes, rubbing moisturizers on the nail beds and cuticles before and after can be the best remedy to prevent drying of the nails.

Avoid Unhealthy Nail Cleaning Habits

Most of us have nail care kits at home that we use to clean our own nails to save on time and money. Knowing to use them properly will avoid damaging our nails. Use fine nail files rather than coarse emery boards. Don’t try to manipulate cuticles as they may open up to infections. Having a small nail cutter on our bags when traveling is advisable, so we can cut broken nails properly when we accidentally break our nails. Without a nail cutter, using our teeth may be an inappropriate remedy.

Use Safe Nail Products

Acetone is usually used to remove nail polish, but the truth is, using them regularly can make your nails brittle. Nail hardeners may also contain chemicals that are not good for our nails in the long run. You should also learn how to detect products that may contain the banned MMA or methyl methacrylate. MMA is a banned substance in many states because it can cause allergic reactions and severe nail damage. You can spot a nail polish with MMA when it has a noxious odor and when acetone does not easily remove the nail polish from your nails.

Although you may know the right care for your nails, knowing the nail salon that also gives importance to safe and healthy techniques and products will ensure that your nails get the correct treatment when you go for nail enhancements.…