Have you ever scrutinized the ingredients of every skin-care product you currently own or almost all supposed “healthy” and expensive skin-care products sold in any store?

If you did, you will be appalled by your findings as you will find a combination of dangerous chemical and synthetic ingredients. So why is it important to analyze the ingredient lists? If you care for your health and beauty at the same time, you ought to know that when you use ANYTHING on your skin or hair, ALL of the ingredients absorb into your body.

Skin absorption is so potent that an increasing number of medicines are in patch form. This means that applying creams and oils is no different from eating them as they enter the blood-stream through the skin. The following is a list of five most common chemical ingredients that you should watch out for in your skin products:

1) Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben- Some combination of these synthetic ingredients are in almost every skin and hair product made today. Widely known to be highly toxic and cause allergic/skin reactions. Companies use this dangerous ingredient, because it is extremely cheap and extends the shelf life of the product by inhibiting microbial growth.

2) Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) - This highly toxic synthetic substance (used for foaming abilities) causes urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections, genital disorders, eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions.

3) Synthetic Colours - Labelled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a colour number such as FD&C Red 6. These highly toxic substances are usually coal-tar based and have been linked as cancer causing agents.

4) Synthetic Fragrances - Most Products will simply say “Fragrance” which means any combination of the cheapest 200 synthetic, toxic ingredients the company can find. Causes headaches, dizziness, rashes, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritations etc…

5) Triethanolamine (TEA)/Diethanolamine (DEA) - Used to adjust the pH balance, but toxic and causes eye problems, and dryness of skin and hair. DEA has been linked with kidney, liver and other organ damage according to several government funded research. One study found that the topical application of DEA in rodents resulted in anaemia, kidney degeneration, and nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. (Melnick et al., 1994). Approximately 200 million pounds of DEA are produced annually in the U.S., most of which goes into personal care products. (USITC, 1990).

Of course, the above list is just a tiny subset of the myriads of chemicals used in our skin products and this short list is sufficient to prove to you that there are companies we trusted with our very lives were only concerned with the bottom line - money! Therefore, my greatest advice is to read the ingredient lists before you purchase that popular brand of skin care products. Also, ask yourself if you wish to continue supporting companies who will do anything to you, animals, or the environment to make money. At least now you know what you are paying for…