Have you ever stopped to read the ingredient label on your body lotion, body wash, facial cleanser, face moisturizer, and shampoo? Can you pronounce and do you know what the ingredients are when you read it? Because if you have given it a quick glance, and never thought twice about it, then here’s why it may be time to think again.

Eczema, infertility, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, acne, fat loss, skin cancer, hormonal imbalances, chronic disease. These are all things that are impacted by your skin care routine. We often overlook these things but here’s what you should always remember: your skin absorbs what goes on it.

If you're having health issues, suffering from disease or infertility, or struggling with weight loss, here's what you need to know about your skin care products and why you should switch to natural and organic skin care. Yes, natural skin care products are better for you and safer in the long term. We’ll also tell you what to avoid and what to look for when choosing natural skin care products.

The average woman uses 12 personal care products each day, which contain 168 ingredients. Assuming that’s your shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, face cleanser, face cream, body lotion, perfume, deodorant, and makeup, that’s an entire chemical cocktail going into your skin before having left the house for work! Among 12.2 million adults, 1 in 5 are exposed to known carcinogens in their personal care products.

How is that possible?

It’s because your skin is your largest organ. Yes, you read correctly. Largest organ. The barrier between the outside and inside of your body.

Made up of three layers, which include the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, each layer has a specific function that is crucial to your health, like creating new skin cells, protection, hair growth, sensory receptors, and insulating the body. As we mentioned above, your skin absorbs the elements that go on it. This is known as dermal absorption. The degree of absorption depends on the integrity of the skin (healed versus wounded), location of exposure (some areas have thicker/thinner skin), concentration of the chemical on the skin, and duration of exposure. Skin exposure to chemicals can lead to absorption into the body, meaning toxins accumulate and get stored in the fat cells, and are released into the bloodstream and organs.

The question is why are we using skin care products with ingredients that are synthetic? Why don’t skin care products contain organic and pure ingredients found in our gardens and kitchens that actually help keep the skin healthy, nourished, and protected?

Synthetic ingredients don’t belong in our skin care products. This cocktail of synthetic skin care products are toxic chemicals. Here's five things you need to know about them.

1. They act as endocrine disrupters, which can mimicking estrogen in the body, and cause hormonal imbalances, and can contribute to the cause of breast cancer.

2. They can contribute to infertility and birth defects.

3. They are made with known carcinogens, allergens, and other irritants that can cause a skin reaction. They can also cause respiratory issues (asthma), cancer, and neurotoxicity.

4. Companies don’t have to disclose what ingredients like “fragrance/parfum” are actually made from but they can have adverse side effects. Click here for a story about how Axe body spray almost killed this teen, and how the company responded.

5. They can cause inflammation in the gut and alter the gut bacteria, meaning all of these “anti-bacterial” products can affect the bacteria in the body.

Here’s a list of the ingredients that you should look for and avoid:

1. Parabens.

Look for names with:

Propyl-

Benzyl-

Methyl-

Butyl-

Ethyl-

Isobutyl-

2. Phthalates

3. Sodium lauryl sulphate/ sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

4. Petroleum

Look for names with:

Mineral oil

Toluene

Liquid paraffin

Petrolatum

5. Coal tar

6. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

7. Diethanolamine (DEA)

8. Fragrance / Parfum

9. Hydroquinone

10. Triclosan

11. Formaldehyde

12. Artificial colours (example: Yellow 6)

Let's take a look at the following examples. You can probably tell which one is full of chemicals and which one is the more natural option.

In this day and age, there is an abundance of natural skin care products on the market but don’t be fooled by drug store products that claim to be “natural” or “clean”. If those products contain any one of the toxic ingredients mentioned above, then they’re not completely natural or organic.

Switching to natural and organic skin care products has many benefits.

1. They’re safer to use on yourself and your children.

2. You don’t have to worry about allergens and side effects. The ingredients in natural skin care products are derived from nature so they’ll not only protect and nourish your skin but make it look healthier.

3. They’re better for the earth and our environment so they’re not polluting our water, air, and soil.

4. Instead of harming your skin with harsh chemicals, use natural products that can allow your skin to breathe and balance its pH levels, and give you a nice healthy glow and appearance.

Natural skin care products are widely available at natural health food stores like Healthy Planet or Whole Foods, and many brands sell their products online so they’re more accessible than ever before.

Although the cost is higher and the product packages are typically smaller than conventional drug store products, just remember that these natural skin care products are highly concentrated with quality ingredients, meaning you don’t need to use as much product as you normally would. Depending on the frequency of use, the daily products can last approximately 3 months and the speciality products can last for 6 months to 1 year. If you’re already using expensive luxury skin care products or skin care brands like Proactiv for a specific issue like acne, then the cost works out to be the same per year.

On a personal note, I used to struggle with break outs and blemishes on my skin. In 2017, I completely overhauled my beauty routine and switched to natural skin care products, including my facial cleanser, toner, day cream, night cream, body wash, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and daily makeup products. I’ve made a conscious effort to use only natural skin care products on a daily basis and it’s made a massive difference to my skin, health, and complexion. What once used to be blemished skin is now glowing and clear skin that doesn’t require foundation to boost my confidence.

* To be completely honest and transparent, once in awhile, I do use makeup like eyeshadows and eyeliners that aren’t 100% natural when going to special events or I get shellac manicures done. No, nobody is perfect but whatever your lifestyle, you may pick and choose to do certain things that may not be the healthiest for you once in a while.

So what facial skin care products do I use in my daily and nightly routine?

Skinprovement Organics and Eminence Organic Skin Care, both of which are organic skin care lines that are carried at Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic, located in Vaughan, Ontario.

Eminence is sold at select spa retailers worldwide, and Skinprovement Organics is the signature skin care line created by Ashley Perri, Owner of Skinprovement, and is carried at their retail spa location and online. Both of these brands are trustworthy and transparent because you can understand every single ingredient listed on the label, derived from nature, without the use of harsh or harmful chemicals.

Thinking of switching the natural skin care? Comment below or give me a shout directly and let me know your questions and thoughts! Here's to getting your natural glow on and your best health!