Warning: Your Beauty Regimen May be Toxic

Studies show that many beauty and skin care products sold today are predominantly made of synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer or other health disorders. People can come to contact with at least 125 chemicals between the toothpaste they use in the morning to the powder they dust their faces with on any average day. If you use your fair share of beauty and skin care products, you should know that long-term exposure to these chemicals can ultimately wreck havoc on your health if you do not take care. Some of the chemicals commonly present in your skin care and beauty products include:

Fragrances. Admit it: How a product smells is an important factor for you to want to buy it. Unfortunately, these synthetic fragrances are made of thousands of other ingredients that can be downright toxic and even carcinogenic.

FD&C Color Pigments. Aside from the smell, how a product looks is also a important factor for many consumers. But like the fragrances, these colorants do not do your skin any good – they are just there for marketing purposes. Usually made from coal tar, these colorants are heavy on metal salts that can irritate skin and cause cancer.

These two are, by far, the least dangerous. Other skin care chemical compounds like sodium lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine, and butylene glycol are so strong that they are used as industry detergents and degreasers. Butylene glycol for its part, is a strong plastic that can easily penetrate the skin and weaken protein and cellular structures.

It is up to you if you still want to use skin care and beauty products that contain the above-mentioned ingredients. Keep in mind that the list above is not exhaustive – there are over 2000 chemicals that find their way into your tubes, bottles, jars, and pots of skin care and beauty products.

However, before swearing off skin and beauty care, you might want to know that there are healthier alternatives to your traditional skin care products. Food items like honey, oats, fruits, oils, milk, and vegetables are actually good for skin care. The Internet is filled with recipes for homemade facial cleansers, body washes, toners, and lotions using all-natural ingredients. Below are some advantages of natural skin care that you way want to look into:

They are proven effective and time-tested. Long before designer and prescription skin care products were invented, ancient civilizations have been using these natural skin care agents to make their skin healthier and younger-looking. The famous Cleopatra is known for using milk and flower oils during her bath.

They are cheaper. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on chemical products, you can spend a little extra on food and use the leftover or excess for your beauty routine. You can mash avocadoes for a moisturizing mask or use diluted lemon juice as toner.

They are healthier. Rather than making your skin absorb toxic chemicals, natural skin care nourish your skin from the outside and give your skin the vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay healthy and young.