Eco-Cosmetics: Green is Beautiful

When you read the ingredient list of a typical cosmetic item, you will often see a list of tongue-tripping scientific names of chemicals. Have you ever wondered what kind of chemicals that you are putting onto your skin? If you have, read on.

Your skin is your largest organ and it can absorb up to 70% of what is applied onto it, including your cosmetics and toiletries. Some knowledge of which ingredients to avoid can therefore help you make more considered purchasing decisions.

Ingredients to avoid include:

Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Glyceryl Stearate and Paraffin are derivates of refined petroleum and act as synthetic emollients in many lotions and moisturisers. To soften and soothe the skin, look for natural emollients instead, such as sweet almond oil, shea butter or squalene (derived from olives).

Dimethanolamide (DEA), Momoethanolamine (MEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) are chemicals commonly used in cleansers, shampoos and body washes. They function as emulsifiers and foaming agents. These chemicals, however, can affect hormone function, provoke allergic skin reactions and have other harmful side effects.

Surfactants (shortened term for surface active agents) such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be irritating to the skin as it dries skin by stripping the protective natural lipids from the scalp’s surface. These are commonly found in skin and hair cleaners.

Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD & C) colour pigments, which are often added to products in these categories to make them more appealing to the consumer, are often coal tar derivates that can cause skin sensitivity and may be carcinogenic.

Parabens (namely methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben) are common synthetic preservatives used in cosmetics. They are increasingly questioned for their overall long-term safety as recent studies have linked them to breast cancer and estrogen-mimicking properties.

Some fragrances are made from cheap synthetics that can cause skin sensitivity, headaches, dizziness and nausea.

Why organic skincare?

Keeping in mind that cosmetics and skincare products are absorbed into the body and bloodstream, a good benchmark to observe would be the “good enough to eat” criterion. Would you feel safe if you swallowed your shampoo or moisturizer? If the answer is no, then you’re probably in the market for a new product.

By definition, organic skincare does not contain many of the synthetic and potentially harmful chemicals found in everyday products. Furthermore, the formulation of organic products is often based on well-established and tested knowledge of natural remedies.   Organic skincare products are mostly plant-based, including ingredients that we might find in the kitchen. These could include cold pressed oils, herb and flower extracts and organic fruits, seeds and nuts. Employing the power of aromatherapy, organically extracted essential oils are often added to promote health and well-being.

Understanding the ingredients in skincare is particularly important for baby’s products. Baby skin is about five times thinner than adults’, and hence more sensitive and prone to irritation. Some ingredients such as petroleum-based paraffin wax also coat the skin with an impenetrable barrier that inhibits the skin’s natural balance.

Caveat Emptor: Buyer Beware

In addition to looking out for chemicals to avoid, consumers should also differentiate between the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’, “Natural” is often loosely applied to a wide range of products. Products labeled “organic”, however, can only contain up to 5% non-organic material. The label ‘made with organic ingredients’ indicates that at least 70% of ingredients are organic.

Purchasing the best possible organic products for yourself and your family is only the first step in ensuring skin health. Since many organic products do not use preservatives, you should keep an eye on that expiry date and store the products in a cool location.

Remember, going green can also be done beautifully and naturally.

Ideal for people suffering from mild to chronic eczema, this ointment can be applied to the affected areas throughout the day. It contains chickweed and chamomile, two of the most specific herbs for treating eczema.

Chickweed is an alternative and purifier. It cleanses the body, removing the toxins that may aggravate the condition. It is also a demulcent and emollient for the skin. Chamomile is soothing as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is specific for irritation of the skin.

Fushi – A⁴ Age Reverse Body Cream, Face Cream and Face Serum

This product contains the well-known Argan oil and anti-ageing vitamin A and E to counteract the visible effects of premature skin ageing. The addition of the Argan oil as a key ingredient ensures that the skin is provided with an extremely high amount of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. This range of cream contains no silicones, petrochemicals (paraffin, mineral oil), PEGS, DEA, TEA and parabens.

In Singapore, Fushi and Caribbean Blue products are available at SuperNature.