Why natural cosmetics and skincare?
For many years top cosmetic companies have been marketing their perfumes and body care products so effectively that they have created exclusive designer brands. Many of these top brands contain harsh chemicals, which people are increasingly loath to put on their skin. Now there are calls for a new EU-wide cosmetics labelling system that will advise pregnant women not to use some products, because the chemicals seep into the bloodstream and have been associated with birth defects.
Women in Britain were found to absorb 5lb of cosmetics every year through their skin and mouths, in a 2007 study.
Two of the main culprits are Parabens and Phtalates. Parabens has been labelled a ‘gender bending’ chemical as it has the ability to mimic oestrogen in the body and disrupt the hormone system. In 2004 a study claimed that there was parabens in cancerous breast tissue, believed to come from deodorants. When looking for parabens in the list of ingredients you need to look for methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben and ethylparaben.
Phtalates are often in household cleaning products and therefore get into the water system when they are flushed down the drain. This chemical is also used in hairspray and a recent study found that women who were exposed to hairspray regularly (particularly hairdressers) were twice as likely to have babies with birth defects.
Another ingredient to look out for is ‘parfum’ which covers a multitude of synthetic chemicals that can affect people with skin and breathing problems. Natural cosmetics use plant-based ingredients and fragrances usually derive from essential oils.
While some of the major companies have started buying up natural beauty companies, there are a huge number of small businesses selling plant-based moisturisers, body lotions, deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, cleansers and make-up that do not contain harmful chemicals. (See our range of Raw Gaia skincare products for all the family, which we use exclusively in our Holistic Feathers facial treatments)
(c) Healthy Soul
