We now know, without debate, that chemicals in our personal care products can and do enter our bloodstream. It makes sense, when you think about it.
This information isn’t designed to scare or shock us. But it sure is a wake-up call that can empower us to make healthier choices. Just like the clean, green eating movement, it’s uber-important to start looking at what you are applying to your skin.
26 Seconds is all it Takes for the Stuff You Put on Your Skin to Enter Your Bloodstream
Did you know - Our skin is our body’s largest organ and what you put on it can affect you in good and bad ways. Just think about Nicotine patches for those trying to quit smoking. Patches are applied directly to the skin and hopeful quitters can get their hit from the patch, which delivers Nicotine to them via their bloodstream.
It happens quickly too. It’s been reported recently that it takes only 26 seconds for what you apply to your skin to be absorbed into your bloodstream.
This would be ok, if what we were putting on our skin was safe, healthy and enhanced our wellbeing. But, there is no concrete definition of what is Natural when it comes to the beauty industry and reason for more concern is that there is no regulatory body overseeing it. Which means, anyone can put something in a bottle, tube or pot and call it natural, non-toxic or green…. and the sad thing is, that they do.
Johnsons and Johnsons ordered to pay $2.1 Billion USD
In June 2020 Johnsons and Johnsons was ordered to pay 2.1 Billion in damages to ovarian cancer sufferers, for neglecting to tell them the risks associated with using their product, which involves their Talcum Powder containing asbestos.
And it's crazy to think that the product is still being sold now.
The entire beauty industry needs a shake up.
Studies by the Environmental Working Group state that the average person uses 12 personal care products each day, exposing themselves to 126 ingredients in total. Most of these have huge health question marks placed over them, are either, synthetic, toxic, skin irritants, known carcinogens and play havoc with our hormonal development.
The Task of Scrutinising Every Single Ingredient Can be Daunting
So a helpful place to start is with the products that are having the most negative impact. Think about the level of exposure you're getting from the products you're using. For instance, if you use a lotion all over your body and it soaks into your skin all day, you're getting a lot more exposure to those chemicals than if you were to use the same ingredients in a face cleanser that is quickly washed off.
save our skin and Be Strategic
Try to get the best ingredients in products that you have a lot of exposure to (shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, etc.), and if you want to, relax your standards a bit for products like hand soap.
Detox your Skincare Regime Today - 5 Easy Steps to Make a Start
1) Start by choosing green and clean alternatives for anything you soak or wash in (ie soap & bubble bath) as it has the highest exposure to your entire body.
Try save our skin's Bubbles without the Bull instead. Made with 100% plant derived ingredients and freshly scented with Spearmint and Mandarin Essential Oil.
2) Best to go natural, for anything you apply and do not wash off, such as lotion, face and body creams, balms and oils as they have all day to soak in.
Try save our skin's a Magical Golden Oil instead. This best selling beauty multi-tasker is like a drink for your skin, that holds in moisture without clogging pores. Rehydrate, nourish and even skin tone naturally. save our skin's magical golden oil can be used daily from toes to nose and also doubles as a make up remover, bath oil, baby oil, massage oil and leave in hair treatment. It also aid in the prevention of stretch marks.
3) Steer clear of Body powder, Talcum Powder aka Baby Powder there are too may health concerns surrounding this product including increased risk of ovarian cancer.
4) Shampoo and conditioner (which is a wash off, but has high exposure due to where you use it and the way it "washes" over your entire body).
5) Be extra mindful of any product you put on your children, check the labels even some brands designed specifically for babies that claim to be natural are far from it.
Remember, Stress is Beauty’s Enemy So be Realistic!
It’s impossible in this day and age for us to live as 100% purists. Change your products on your own terms, on finding similar performing natural offers that are within your budget. The aim is to reduce you chemical exposure and live as clean as possible.
Also, don’t be fooled by the label, the words Botanical, Natural and Organic, don’t mean much these days. So check the ingredients, usually if you can’t eat it or pronounce it, you really shouldn’t be putting it on your skin.
Thanks for your Time.
Take Care + Njoy!
About the Author
Anastasia Lambadaridis is the founder and director of save our skin + the world we live in and she ardent about making a difference. Anastasia embarks on educational campaigns targeted at local community groups, parents and business networks… prompting people to make small changes in the home about the way they care about themselves + the planet. Anastasia is also not shy at exposing the truth behind the brands that lead the public to believe that their products are natural, good + healthy.
Anastasia has worked in marketing communications in both government + private sectors + is a specialist in the creation + delivery of behavioural change programs. She is passionate about creating unique brand experiences and gold standard campaigns that drive behavioural change. In this fast paced digital age, Anastasia aims to add back the ‘human touch’ in our interactions and connections. Anastasia holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Applied Science, and innately understands social norms and emotional triggers that drive and impact consumer behaviour.