Think about what’s in your skincare products before you buy them and apply them. They may be doing more harm than good.
Back in February, we did this post, You Won’t Believe The Toxins Contained In This ‘Natural Skincare’ Product. It has been a popular post with our readers, because we broke down the label and explained what each of the chemicals it contained actually were and what they did/didn’t do for your skin. So, we thought it was time for another one.
Greenwashing is something we completely disagree with, because consumers are being duped by clever marketing into thinking they’re buying something pure and natural when they’re buying a bottle full of chemicals.
So, here’s another example of a greenwashed product I discovered in my local supermarket recently. Not only is it a dreadful concoction of synthetic chemicals that doing nothing to beautify the skin, but the bottle looks all natural and earthy, with the word ‘natural’ printed twice on the front label and a ‘seal of approval’ from dermatologists.
Ingredients in this not-so-natural supermarket moisturiser
Aqua — as ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity contained in the bottle, the key ingredient of this product is water (which you can get for free from your tap)
Glycerin — A lubricant and humectant that helps attract water to the skin to help it feel smoother, it can be natural or synethetic and there are no safety concerns
Distearyldimonium chloride — Ahis is a surfactant that helps leave skin feeling smooth. It is totally synthetic and can be irritating to the eyes and sensitivite skin.
Petrolatum — Petrolatum is a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and used as an emollient and moisturiser. While many health authorities say it’s safe, there is a risk of contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), cancer-causing chemicals found in crude oil and its by-products.
Isopropyl palmitate — This is a synethetic oil used as a moisturiser and thickening agent. It can cause skin, lung and eye irritation and can trigger acne.
Dimethicone — This is a silicone-based polymer used for its anti-foaming and skin-conditioning properties. It does nothing to feed the skin, but sits on top of it like a barrier, preventing the skin from breathing.
Cetyl Alcohol — A fatty alcohol that is either a petroleum by-product or derived from botanical sources, it’s an emollient, emulsifier and thickener. It can cause allergic reactions and dermatologists recommend avoiding it if you have sensitive skin, rosacea or psoriasis.
Benzyl alcohol — Benzyl alcohol is a naturally occurring and synthetic ingredient used as solvent and preservative. It can cause skin allergies and there are concerns it could be a neurotoxin.
Menthol — An organic compound either made synthetically or derived from mint, it’s used as a fragrance in skincare products.
Allantoin — A chemical compound extracted from the comfrey plant, it’s soothing for skin and a safe skincare ingredient, but because it’s contained so far down on the label, the product probably contains only a small percentage.
Triticum vulgare (wheat) Gluten – (F#9438-095) — This is derived from wheat germ and is a skin conditioning agent that makes the product unsuitable for use by people with gluten intolerance or wheat allergies.
So, this product that is supposedly ‘natural’ is mostly made up of synthetic chemicals, some of which are harmful and some of which aren’t, but won’t do much to nourish and feed your skin.
These products seem appealing when you’re in a hurry in the supermarket and they look kind of natural while also being affordable. But before you buy them, have a think about what you’re really paying for and what it’s really doing to your skin.
What do you think of products that are marketing as natural but contain synethic chemicals? Do you buy them?
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