Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Avoid These Chemicals in Your Skin Care

By Marilyn Etzel

Taking care of our skin is a priority. If we are good to it, it will be good to us. With so many skincare products to choose from, what do you do? Whatever skincare line you decide to use, there are some chemicals that shouldnt be contained in any of them.

1. Alcohol"Alcohols have a drying effect on the skin. When you blow on them, they disappear but they also take some moisture with them. shampoos containing alcohols dry the scalp and weaken the hair over time. Any listed ingredient that ends in the suffix, -ols is a dead giveaway.

2. Parabens"What are these products? It is a chemical that inhibits the growth of bacterial in products like lotions and creams. When we pour or pump lotion from the bottle, our skin may come in contact with the top. It is a potential source of contamination to the product especially if several people use it. Parabens work to stop that, but can cause skin irritations in many users.

3. Scents"Those labels that say Spring fresh or Rain showers entice us to buy that skincare product, but beware. A fragrance is nothing more than a combination of chemicals, any one of which can cause skin irritations in the user. You could end up irritating the skin on your entire body.

4. Phthalates"Look at the ingredient list on your lotions and soaps the next time you are in the store. If you see the word phthalate (pronounced thal-ate), put it back. These chemicals have a poor reputation and if they are harmful to animals.

5. Dyes"Dyes give skincare products their color. Even if it is a beige color, you can bet that there was a dye added to your product. People with sensitive skin develop dryness and itching from various dyes. Try natural products that are dye free.

It is important to read the label on all skincare products. Most people dont know that skincare products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are on their honor to provide a safe product to the consumer. Many consumer watchdog groups keep a lookout for harmful products and get the word out in print or on the Internet.

The next time you shop for skincare items, read the label carefully. This goes for all natural products as well. Eliminate as many of the above chemicals as possible from your products as possible. If the good substances are listed at the bottom of the ingredient list, chances are there are only trace amounts in the product and not enough to be of any benefit - 16083

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