What’s the big deal with natural beauty products?

Going natural or organic with beauty products could lead to surprising benefits. So why should we care about changing our current products to these?

Over the past decade, beauty creams, cosmetics, bubble baths and such have been under the radar for containing concerning ingredients. In particular, many bath and beauty products contain preservatives called parabens, which are used to prevent bacteria. But these preservatives can trigger health issues down the road. “Studies confirm that parabens mimic estrogen in the human body, with evidence linking them to reproductive organ harm, thyroid disruption, hormone-related cancers, and obesity. Exposure to parabens through beauty products was recently linked to early onset puberty in girls, according to a study published in Human Reproduction,” explains Harper’s Bazaar.

Avoiding parabens and other chemicals (i.e. sodium lauryl sulfate) could help with reducing skin sensitivities, while nourishing your skin with vitamins, minerals, healthy fatty acids, and such. You might even notice a difference in the smoothness of your skin. If products are also biodegradable, that’s another plus; this means that they’re safe for rivers, lakes and septic tanks.

So what can we do to avoid parabens? Well, you can opt for products that contain natural or organic ingredients, but the key is to read the labels first. Here are a few tips to consider when purchasing non-toxic products:

• Understand how natural ingredients work. For instance, aloe vera, avocado, hemp seed oil, vitamin C, and chamomile are found in many natural and organic products, and they’re known to be naturally soothing.
• Consider going fragrance free. Next to possibly triggering asthma or allergies, scented products might contain phthalates, chemicals used to preserve cosmetics and keep them pliable. According to Harper’s Bazaar, “Some studies have linked phthalate exposure to obesity, type 2 diabetes, reduced sperm count, breast cancers, reproductive malformation, infertility, and cardiovascular events.”
• If you’re concerned about animal testing, make sure your product labels have “cruelty free” listed.
• Opt for mineral-based sunscreens instead of ones that contain chemicals.

Need helping with finding natural and organic moisturizers or shampoos? At Canna Relief, we have a selection off skin care products that contain hemp seed oil, omega-3 fatty acids, jojoba oil, and more! Our educators are available to help you out on the phone or in-person. Click here for a map of our store in Mississauga.

 

References

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/a28352553/clean-beauty/