Toxins Commonly Found in Skincare Products

The truth is, most commercial skincare products are incredibly toxic. There are literally thousands of chemicals in commercial products. Studies say that putting chemicals on our skin may actually be worse than eating them. When you eat, enzymes in the saliva and stomach break down what’s ingested and flush it out of the body. However, chemicals on the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream without any filtering. Just imagine what the cumulative effects of long-term use may do.

Let’s look at just some of the common toxic ingredients we should be avoiding.

Artificial Colors

If the label on any of your skincare products reads, FD&C or D&C, they contain artificial colors. In the industry, ‘F’ means, food and ‘D&C’ means, drug and cosmetic. These code letters often precede a color, then a number. For example, D&C Red 33 is a synthetic dye that comes from petroleum or coal tar. It is a carcinogen that is potentially deadly. It is also a known irritant to the skin that is linked to ADHD in children.

DMDM (dimethyl-dimethyl) Hydantion

This white crystalline solid is used as a preservative in skin products. There are concerns that this chemical releases formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, chronic fatigue and dizziness. It’s also thought to cause irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs.

Mineral Oil

While many say it is perfectly safe, other sources say it coats the skin, clogs pores and interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. These actions all increase the risk of acne and other skin conditions. There is also evidence to suggest that mineral oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of the human body.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

These detergents are used in many skincare products--particularly those that foam, as that’s one of their primary functions. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.

Propylene Glycol

You might think that alcohol is safe and natural for the body. However, this supposed “skin conditioner”, often present in skin lotions, moisturizers and sunscreen, penetrates the skin and causes irritation for most people. Even in low concentrations, it is known to cause dermatitis and hives.

Want to make sure that your skin’s safe from all these harmful toxins? Check out the Zafra SkinCare Now!