DO INGREDIENTS REALLY MATTER?

Grab any skin care product from your bathroom shelf, turn it over and look at the ingredients. Chances are you may not know what some of them are, let alone what some of the do. And does it even matter if the product works?

Well, topical skin care can be absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. Just think of how nicotine patches are applied to the skin, with the sole purpose of the nicotine being absorbed through the skin to stop cigarette cravings. The skin is a permeable membrane. The good news is that it will absorb the good stuff as well, meaning our outer protective layer (aka our skin) needs to be nurtured and respected.

Not all ingredients will have a negative impact on your health, so its worth knowing which are the ones pose little risk and which ones we should completely avoid, especially if you want to reduce your chemical load.

Below are 4 of the common irritants/toxins contained within skincare products, what they do and why they should be avoided. 
 
Parabens
Abundant in skincare and deodorant, parabens are a preservative and antibacterial agent added to extend a product’s shelf life. They are usually listed as an ingredient ending in “–ben”. Studies have shown mimic oestrogen so may have hormone-disrupting effects. There are many natural preservatives available now on the market, so going paraben –free is now easier than ever.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Sulphates such as Sodium Lauryl and Sodium Laureth, are commonly used harsh detergents that give cleansers, soaps, and shampoos their lovely foaming action. We have become accustomed to expect lots of foam, and think that the more it foams the better it cleans. Sulphates have been associated with skin and eye irritations. You will find sulphates in 90% of personal-care products that foam.

Fragrance aka Parfum
At times, when I spritz my favourite perfume, I end up in a wild sneezing fit, and its no wonder, it’s a chemistry hot spot.
The term "fragrance" or "parfum" on a cosmetic ingredients list usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. I have read some reports suggesting there are up to 3,000 chemicals inside one listed fragrance. (1) That is seriously mind blowing. Some fragrance ingredients may trigger allergies and asthma. 
Triclosan
Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, hand santizers and perspirants. It is registered with the EPA as a pesticide, which gives it a high score as a risk to both human health and the environment. (2)

There is currently little regulation of what can be labeled ‘natural skincare’ in Australia, which means it’s very much up to you to read the ingredients list. At Jacqueline Evans Skin Care it is our ongoing commitment that no harsh or detrimental ingredients are used. Ever. 

       What's inside our products
  • Meticulously formulated products
  • 100% Australian owned and made
  • Highest quality botanicals
  • Cold pressed oils
  • Enriched with vitamins and minerals
  • Not tested on animals
  • Packaged in dark amber to prevent oxidation
  • Environmentally conscious packaging 

What's not inside our products
  • No parabens
  • No sodium lauryl / laureth sulphates
  • No artificial colours/perfumes
  • No petrochemicals No DEA/TEA
  • No synthetic preservatives
  • No pesticides or herbicide residues
  • No animal ingredients
If you are wanting to make the switch to natural beauty, and feel a little overwhelmed, choose one product at a time to make the switch with.  We suggest starting with the products that are applied to the skin and do not get washed off, such as face and body moisturisers. Your skin will begin to love the feeling of freshness and breathability that natural skin care provides.
 
(2) http://www.epa.g ov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm

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