Written in 25-8-2009 by | No Comments
1.Clean – Cleansing is necessary to remove junk that collects on the surface of the skin. This includes makeup, dirt, dust, waste excreted by the skin, and dead skin cells. Proper cleansing will clean the epidermis without stripping the acid mantle and leaving the skin dehydrated, irritated, and devoid of its natural oils. There are two rules of thumb for cleansing that apply for all types of skin and every age group: never use soap and always treat your skin gently.
Why no soap? I know I’ve got your attention now. Soap is created from a chemical reaction of fats and lye. Fats and oils can clog your skin pores, and lye, a caustic detergent, is about as beneficial for your body as Turpentine. Here’s why:
Remember that lathery foam that you get when mixing soap and water? These
suds are created by detergents. When used on the skin, detergents strip off your
protective acid mantle, leading to dry skin or over stimulated oil glands. Approach any products that form lather with caution because there’s a detergent hiding in that product and it’s just waiting to strip your skin bare.
2.Exfoliate – Exfoliation is necessary to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and dull the surface of the skin. This is the best way to improve the overall appearance and feel of the skin. Exfoliation does not mean abrading the skin with sandpaper-like granules, or scrubbing to the point you see blood. If a product ever feels too harsh, stop using it. There are natural enzyme peels that can lift dead skin cells without any abrading substances at all.
3.Toning: Toning is necessary to reestablish the pH of the skin as well as prepare the skin for moisturizer. Proper toners also bring oxygen into the middle skin layers so the cells are properly nourished. Your skin is the last organ in your body to receive nutrients, and the first to show signs if your body is out of balance.
Written in 20-7-2009 by | No Comments
Petrolatum – Derivatives of petroleum. Look for the suffix “Petro-” on ingredient
labels. Commonly found in jellies and salves. Prevents the skin from breathing and
expelling wastes. Can you say “clogged pores?”
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) – Toxic substance found in most dish washing
products. Usually found in anti-microbial soaps.
Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) –
Commonly found in shampoo, soaps, and facial cleansers. All are hormone
disruptor that are linked to liver and kidney cancers.
Triclosan – Antibacterial agent found in soaps, household cleansers, and toothpaste.
The EPA registers this as a pesticide because it behaves much in the same way as
agent orange, a similar synthetic substance.
Propylene Glycol – Active ingredient found in antifreeze, deodorants, and color
cosmetics. Side effects include brain, liver, and kidney damage.
EDTA – Abbreviation for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid! A common toxic
chemical that has been noted to have reproductive and developmental effects.
Mineral oil – One of the most universally used ingredients in skin care products. It
not only attracts dirt and causes blackheads, it also clogs the skin can speeds up the
aging process. Your skin cannot breathe under mineral oil; because it’s like
wrapping your skin in plastic wrap.
Paraffin, Beeswax, Candelilla Wax, and Carnauba Wax are all skin clogging
waxes commonly included in cleansing creams, eye creams, and moisturizers. All
lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores. Just think for a moment about
these waxes. In solid form, waxes are thick, hard and waterproof. Do any of these
characteristics sound like they’d be good for your skin?
Lanolin – Very effective for moist wound healing (especially for breastfeeding
mothers). In other applications it’s a terrible pore clogger and allergen for many
people.
