I am curious, how many of my readers get regular facials? And those who do, do you find your technician finds various issues with your skin and recommends a litany of products to address your issues? I liken a typical facial to going to a medical clinic where your doctor may prescribe a litany of drugs to suppress symptoms, but does not have the training nor interest in going deeper in addressing the root cause of symptoms. Almost all spas doing aesthetic skin care are using these types of products. Products that are chemical based and leave chemical residue in your system.

Any time you take a pharmaceutical, there will always be a side effect as a result. Our bodies are not equipped to address these concentrated chemicals with a variety of effective and adverse reactions. I have said this a million times, anything you put on your skin ends up in your body composition.

It is big news right now, we live in a toxic environment, and people are getting sick more often and younger because of it. We can no longer ignore our habits, and comforts, and surely our vanity, and add to the toxic burden our bodies are under by indiscriminate use of chemically based beauty products!

 

Buyer Beware; When "Clean" Beauty Is Dirty

The average woman uses 9 personal care products containing 168 unique ingredients daily. There probably hundreds of “clean” beauty brands on the market today. Anyone can say anything, in this country. There is very little regulatory follow-through in regard to false advertising. I implore you, when you are purchasing a product, take the time to research ALL of the ingredients, especially those on the bottom of the list. Many companies use good ingredients, but also add ingredients that are, in my opinion, not good for you, or your skin.

Watch for products that contain any of the parabens (endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen), phthalates (endocrine disruptors), formaldehyde ormaldehyde-releasing preservatives like DMDM hydration, imidazollidnyl urea, and quaternium-15 (known carcinogens) break down and continue to release formaldehyde over time, retinyl palmitate (speeds development of skin lesions and tumors when skin is exposed to sunlight), fragrance—sometimes added even when labeled “unscented” (synthetic petro chemicals ), sulfates (SLS and SLES are harsh detergents that exacerbate many skin conditions), mineral oil and petrolatum (deplete minerals and clog pores), oxybenzone (endocrine disrupter and allergen, harms aquatic life), butylated hydroxyanisole BHA (carcinogen and endocrine disruptor), and alcohols (not all are harmful, but can be drying and can cause irritation).

It is good to remember that these things are cumulative and contribute to a body being toxic over time. Add to this, the air we are breathing, the fragrances in almost everything we use in our household products, the chemicals and antibiotics given to the animal products we use, and the chemicals sprayed on our soils and the foods we are eating, it is time to pay closer attention to what we are putting into our bodies and our environment.

 

Clean Up Your Beauty Drawer

The good news? Every choice you make toward cleaner products reduces your toxic burden. Your body is remarkably resilient and wants to heal. When you stop adding to the chemical load, your body can begin to eliminate what it's been storing.

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with what touches your skin most: your moisturizer, your body lotion, your daily cleanser. Replace these first, then gradually work through the rest of your skincare routine, cosmetics, and home.

At EAA, every ingredient is listed on our website with its purpose clearly explained. Have a question about an unfamiliar ingredient? Ask us! Transparency isn't just good practice, it's essential. We have formulated every product in the Essential Apothecary Alchemist line to benefit your highest good. 

Take the time to clean up your home, work, and personal care products, your body and your long term health depends on it!