Truth In Aging Series – Personal Care Products

Toxic Personal Care Products and Anti-Aging

When you think of a skin-care routine that specifically targets anti-aging, what comes to mind? Expensive creams, serums, oils, and cleansers that bear fancy names and prestigious brands, high in fragrance and promises. Products such as these line the shelves, claiming to transform your skin into the dazzling complexion that the representative model showcases in their clever advertising ploys. They draw in their target audiences, and successfully reel them into their bids on the product’s effectiveness. And many unsuspecting victims will fall prey to the wild reviews and marketing ploys that these companies use.

But what exactly are these ingredients and what do they really do to your skin? Do the actually work well to keep the years from piling onto your face, or are they doing just the opposite? A lot of misinformation and hype floats around out there on the internet, and it can either make or break your search for anti-aging products that actually work without causing further damage. To make your search a little easier, we crafted a list of ingredients to avoid and ingredients to adore. Now, you can have the upper hand that the mainstream beauty industry does not provide you, and make a wiser selection in your anti-aging skin-care routine.

 

Ingredients to Avoid

Most cosmetic companies will produce items that contain toxic, irritating chemicals that actually will not help you target your epidermal problem areas without paying some kind of price. We tend to tell you about the effects that these chemicals have on your health – and there is plenty to say about that subject. But the focus on what it does to your skin is a much narrower body of information that many people are interested in. Sure, it scares many people that these chemicals can cause major disruption with your body’s functions. However, some people would argue that it at least does its job of reversing time on your skin, right? Wrong! Not only are you applying detrimental skin-care treatments, but they can make your anti-aging skin situation worse.

Retinol is a synthetic form of antioxidant vitamin A used in many conventional skin-care products for a number of reasons. It targets acne and aids the process of cell regeneration. However, the issue with this ingredient lies in the fact that it causes irritation. It can cause redness and peeling, and also exposes the skin further to UV rays. This could lead to sun damage that could result in more age spots later down the road. It strips the skin of its moisture barrier, leaving it exposed, tight, and parched. This response is exactly the opposite of what you want to attain – especially if you already have sensitive skin to begin with. And, as you get older, your skin tends to develop a little more sensitivity than it used to.

Alpha hydroxy acid can cause a burning sensation, especially in high concentrations or when applied to sensitive or delicate skin. It acts as an exfoliator and antioxidant in many anti-aging formulas. However, like retinol, it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, and cause irritation that could include a rash, inflammation, and even scarring in some cases. The last thing you want when you are trying to develop a good anti-aging plan is increased sensitivity or more scars to add the collection you may already have. It also strips your skin of its natural oils, forcing your pores to produce more oil to compensate. This could entirely mess up your skin’s balance and ability to maintain itself. As you get older, it becomes more difficult for your skin to maintain its natural processes. You definitely do not want an ingredient that could cause that to become more difficult.

Alcohol is commonly used in a large variety of skin-care products – both anti-aging and conventional. It serves one of two purposes: to make a product with a dense or thick consistency thinner and easier to apply, or to act as a toner. Toners are meant to remove excess oil and shrink pores, giving skin a more even, clean appearance. It may also serve to enhance the abilities of ingredients like retinol, making the skin more exposed and open. However, alcohols dehydrate your skin in order to do this by damaging the lipid layer that protects your skin. Continual use of alcohol-based products will eventually wear this layer away, making it even more difficult to regenerate it later on. Plus, it will cause you to have to spend even more on moisturizers or creams to make up for the dryness. Dryness and sensitivity are already common problems with aging skin. Avoiding this product will keep it from getting worse.

Mineral oil is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the previous ingredients. Instead of drying your skin, it is supposed to work to intensely moisturize it. Mineral oil is generally a petroleum product used in many products from cleansers to creams and moisturizers since it has a long shelf life and has no fragrance or scent. However, it will coat your skin with a thick layer that clogs pores and keeps your skin from being able to breath. It also provides no nutritive support or nourishment to your skin whatsoever, which are necessities for aging skin. This can lead to acneic blemishes and congested pores. Plus, common sense will tell you that not letting your skin get the air it needs will lead to a dull complexion. This is the opposite of what you want to attain.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is one of the most widely used ingredients available in nearly any skin-care product. It is what gives you that ‘squeaky’ sensation on your skin after washing it. It is one of the strongest stripping agents available, and it will strip your skin too! It will wear away the acid mantle, lipid layer, and dry out your complexion. It is also one of the most common skin sensitizers, which means that you are more likely to gain a fragile complexion the more you use it. The last thing you need in your anti-aging journey is a cleanser that will take away your skin’s ability to nourish itself. Plus, as with the other stripping ingredients mentioned here, stripped skin goes one of two ways. You either get extra dry or extra oily with your skin’s attempt to compensate. More clogged pores and dull complexion. Steer clear of products that contain this ingredient.

Triethanolamine may have a concentration as high as forty percent in skin-care products. Commonly used to balance the pH level in products, it can cause irritations and sensitivities including contact dermatitis and dryness. Here, we have yet another product that strips your skin completely of its natural maintenance components. Plus, it is a known carcinogen, and is directly linked to cancer. And, outside of all the stripping it does, it could contain unlabeled nitrosamine compounds, which could lead to cancer development right on the surface of your skin. The last thing you need is to pay the price of anti-aging by developing an unsightly and dangerous melanoma spot.

Clearly, the price of conventional anti-aging products is a high one to pay. Some experts even proclaim that store-bought anti-aging products can be some of the most damaging and toxic items on the market. Many of the aforementioned products either expose your skin even further to the sun, or have carcinogenic effects themselves. If not these repercussions, then you will get overly dry skin that feels tight, inflexible, and parched, or a complexion covered in an oily film from your epidermis desperately attempting to protect itself. So, what are you to do when you need skin solutions that work without causing even more damage to your skin than the years have already created? Face naturals has you covered.

 

Ingredients to Adore

Believe it or not, there are natural remedies to turn back the clock and regain a youthful appearance. And the bright side is that they do not cause cancer, stimulate irritation or sensitivity, or expose you further to environmental damage from the sun. We gave you a list of just a few of the options you have when you opt for a safer, natural approach that nourishes your mature skin. No more reaction, dryness, or other reactions for you. Now you can make a selection that works with your complexion to achieve your goals, not against it.

Rosemary essential oil is a natural stimulant that, when applied topically, will enhance blood flow to the surface of the skin. This will help with ensuring the surface of your complexion gets its proper supply of nutrients, speeding up the process of cell regeneration, and reducing the appearance of dark spots. It also helps return elasticity and firmness by retexturing the skin. Plus, if you have a problem with sebum production or congested pores, then this essential oil will work best for you, as it keeps your skin hydrated while maintaining a balanced oil production. Give it a go by trying our Lemongrass and Rosemary Facial Cleanser, Anti-Aging Night Crème, or Anti-Aging Eye Serum.

Pomegranate is a wonder fruit that we simply cannot get enough of. It is packed with natural antioxidants and vitamins that will not act abrasively toward your skin. Its molecular structure allows it to penetrate deeply, delivering these nutrients on a more intensive level than most ingredients. Pomegranate works well for fighting off blemishes caused by sensitivity, age spots, and stimulates collagen and elastin production. This, in turn, results in a more radiant complexion with a more supple texture, fewer wrinkles, and balanced hydration. We employ the power of pomegranate in our Pomegranate Antioxidant Mask, Restore Facial Cleanser, and our Super Fruit line.

Shea butter provides a great source of anti-aging antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E. This means that your skin gets optimal protection naturally, as well as reparations from previously acquired damages. It also works as an intensively penetrating moisturizer, which will restore hydration to your skin. Plus, it does not clog your pores. It can actually help with oil control. It even works well with sensitive or reactive skin. So, you can achieve supple, firm skin by using products with shea butter. We use shea butter in a number of our products from our body butters to our Anti-Aging Eye Serum.

Hibiscus extract is amazing if you want to tackle issues like dark circles, wrinkle prevention, and toning. It does not dry out your skin, and contains amino acids that nourish your complexion while tightening and toning the firmness. Called the ‘botox plant’ in some circles, it earned its name from its highly effective abilities in making the skin supple, smooth, and radiant. It is literally the perfect ingredient for attaining a lustrous, juvenescent complexion. Plus, it works well with nearly any skin type, ranging from normal to sensitive. Our Hibiscus Facial Cleanser puts this ingredient to work for its excellently light astringency and gentle approach to improving the overall quality of complexion.

Berry extracts contain ellagic acid, which decreases a free radical’s ability to degrade the collagen and elastin that keeps your skin firm and supple. They also contain fatty acids that allow your skin to maintain a healthy moisture level, which further improves skin tone and brightness. With a rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, berry ingredients can also promote your complexion’s nourishment, while reversing the signs of aging that we all know a little too well. Wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots will slowly fade away, revealing a glamourous surface. Plus, they aid the regeneration of cells, which helps keep your skin look dewy and young. Harness the abilities of berries through out Super Fruit line, which comes complete with a facial cleanser, toner, and cream.

Helichrysum will amp up your skin’s antioxidant intake, while using therapeutic abilities to soothe and heal the damaged acquired over the years. It is a great botanical for fading out scars and dark spots, and ensuring an even complexion. It does this through its efficiency in encouraging cell renewal and powering the skin’s immunity to outside elements. This means that your skin will be more capable of taking care of itself, even with age. Helichrysum is gentle enough for those struggle with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, so sensitivity is not an issue for even the most fragile, mature skin. Our Helichrysum Hydrosol will make an excellent edition to your face naturals anti-aging routine.

A number of other botanicals exist that can meet the same ends as the toxic irritants listed above, without all the unwanted repercussions. The possibilities are endless – it all depends on what your skin prefers. Remember, it is normal for a product to not work well for you, as long as it is not causing any damage that could further hinder your ability to make yourself feel and look younger. Opt for products that will really do what they say. Avoid the harsh chemicals above. And adore the ingredients that will adore your skin right back.

 

Keep Your Skin Safe with Face Naturals

We promise to keep your skin safe with our non-toxic products that employ the goodness of nature in every organic ingredient. Your skin stays with you for life, no matter what it goes through. So, taking the best possible care of it is very important. From infants with still-developing skin, to pregnant women with high sensitivities, to the teenager embarrassed by acne, to the adult looking to get started in anti-aging, we have something for everyone’s unique skin needs harvest straight from nature itself. Keep from getting caught up in the hype of potentially damaging chemicals often used in conventional skin-care. Let face naturals help you fall in love with your skin again.

Check out our full range of products on our web store, or read about hot health and beauty topics that could affect you and your loved ones. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns, and we will respond as soon as possible. If you are interested in our line of products, but are unsure of where to start, we can help you make a selection that works best for you. Simply provide us with information about your skin, which products interest you, and what you wish to accomplish with our products, and we will give you some recommendations for your selection. Do not forget to make an account with us to reap benefits including rewards points, emails regarding deals and discounts, and other cool stuff that can help you get started on a healthier life style.

 

References

• Five Ingredients to Avoid in Your Face Wash
• Harmful Effects of Alpha Hydroxy Acid
• Anti-Aging Cream – Is There Danger Lurking Within?
• Anti-Aging Creams Increase Cancer Risk
• Counteract Side Effects of Retinol
• Triethanolamine aka TEA – a Harmful, Toxic Chemical
• Slather Some Organic Love with Organic Shea Butter
• External Anti-Aging Secrets
• Benefits of Hibiscus for Hair and Skin
• Berries for Beauty
• The Herb Helichrysum