The rate of skin sensitivity is increasing, and the culprit is our makeup and beauty products.
I have identified an increasing number of women presenting with skin sensitivities, and much can be attributed to the number of chemicals placed on the skin.
The skin is the biggest organ in our bodies, and often the most abused. The average Australian woman uses approximately 12 beauty products on a day-to-day basis containing an alarming 168 chemicals.
Women are coming to her education workshops with incredibly sensitive skin.
I would say 1 in 5 women have flaking skin, redness, or breakout issues. Many skins clear up after the offending products are removed.
Some of the chemicals found in everyday beauty products could be doing even more damage than just red and tingling skin.
Chemicals such as Phthalates and parabens used as preservatives in most cosmetics are linked to things such as breast cancer which is a frightening and shocking. Young women are particularly vulnerable. Some products contain an excess of hormone mimicking chemicals, and these can seriously affect their growth and development.
Claire Mason, owner of Integrity a Paramedical Skin Clinic based in Brisbane certainly agrees.
“Our clinic has seen a vast increase in new patients, presenting with reactions due to incompatible skincare ingredients.” Ms Mason said.
Ms Mason states that there should be an easier way for consumers to identify risky chemicals in their skincare and makeup products.
The average person is just not equipped with the knowledge of beauty chemicals to be able to decipher whether a product is suitable for their skin. The names of them all are a mouthful and the amount of them in most products is mind boggling to say the least.
While there is a huge push in the industry with new ‘natural’ alternatives, people still need to be careful. Some ‘natural’ products also contain fillers, so in a rush to go natural, you could be putting the very thing you are trying to avoid onto your skin. Do your research, and only use products you can verify are free from toxic chemicals.
So what are some of the chemicals in our beauty products and what harm do they cause?
The Top 5 Nasties Are:
Paraben preservatives: Used to kill bacteria in cosmetics. Have estrogen-mimicking properties. Traces of paraben have also been found in tumors. Well-known to cause skin allergies such as dermatitis.
Triclosan: Found in personal care products. Suspected of causing liver damage and liver cancer.
Lanolin: Derived from sheep’s wool. A common ingredient found in cosmetics and baby products and a possible cause of skin conditions such as dermatitis.
Benzene: Found in perfumes. There is a lot of research linking this chemical to cases of leukemia. YIKES.
Emulsifiers: Found in just about all personal care products are thought to have potential to damage DNA, cause skin conditions and are linked to skin cancers. Common names are:
- Glyceryl monostearate
- Stearic acid
- Triethanolamine
- Ethoxylates – PEG-4, PEG-7, PEG-4, PEG-100, Steareth 20, Ceteareth 20