Skincare - anti-ageing products - are we actually stressing our skin out?
For years we have been fed messages, adverts, &often solutions to problems we didn’t realise we had. The main one - ANTI-AGEING. The skincare industry is vast, and often overwhelming.
SO many companies promise us smoother, younger looking skin if we use their products. Have you read the ingredients before and been a bit bamboozled by the long names of almost impossible to pronounce ingredients?
Fortunately, the research and information is readily available and being shared widely - Synthetic and chemical laden products are doing more harm than good.
Our skin is our largest organ - and can absorb topical products in just 26 seconds! Straight into our bodies and circulation. We are organic animals, for want of a better description - and are not designed to absorb and digest harsh man-made ingredients. One example is Sodium lauryl sulphate - added to products to give a “fresh and clean” feeling. It is also used as a strong detergent to deeply clean things such as garage floors. It also strips our skin of its protective acid-mantle layer, disrupting the equilibrium and promoting dryness, irregular oil production, and uneven texture.
Many ingredients have been proven to be carcinogenic, and disruptive to hormones (!) and while there is a lot more regulation in our hair and skincare products, they still contain many chemicals that remain harmful to our skin. For benefits; at most they sink into the deeper layers of our skin, cause an irritation which temporarily smooths the skin. It can be quite terrifying when you research this deeper, to find out about the thousands of products and ingredients that are mainly synthetic chemicals. Scarily, tests have found that even umbilical cords have a few hundred chemicals in them, just from their Mother’s personal care products, and only in recent years have we been made aware of this! Toxins are ageing, they do not nourish, feed or protect. Anti-oxidants are like pacmen, who eat the toxins and protect you from their harm. They basically accelerate degeneration/ageing, and in a world where we are surrounded by enough pollution, it is best to minimise your exposure to excess toxins as much as possible.
Our society does have an unusual and slightly unhealthy approach to the ageing process - and it is very the opinion we hold about ourselves, as well as our own self-value. Youth is not our only intrinsic value - we must exfoliate this belief and invest our money in other ways that really do serve us. Skincare did actually start out as plant-based formulations years ago, used as part of self-massage and relaxation practices - but have since become laden with chemicals to extend their shelf life, increase profit, and be mass produced.
Quite simply, the best way to enjoy beauty, and be comfortable in our own skin, is through wholesome eating, (organic where possible, plant-based, plenty of water) avoiding excess sun exposure, good circulation (via gentle regular exercise), and utilising plants and herbs in diet and skincare.
Plants and essential oils come from nature, just like us. They have a natural compatibility to our skin, and their properties range from: Soothing and calming, reducing excess oil, stimulating circulation and cell renewal, hydrating, etc. Working with balancing and boosting your skins natural functions.
So what can we do?
Being more aware of ingredient labels, and checking out www.thinkdirty.app as well as their actual app,. “Clean Beauty” is another good app for your mobile for guidance on the best ranges for natural personal care.
For full toxin-free ranges, my favourite is the one I became an ambassador for, Tropic Skincare. Check out the range on the online shop from the menu! Also stay tuned or message me about natural homemade skincare blends.
Any comments and questions always welcome!
Love and wellness,
Amanda x
