{"id":629,"date":"2016-10-14T11:55:20","date_gmt":"2016-10-14T11:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.naturalskincare.ie\/blog\/?p=629"},"modified":"2020-10-13T20:13:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T20:13:19","slug":"dying-to-be-gorgeous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturalskincare.ie\/blog\/features\/dying-to-be-gorgeous\/","title":{"rendered":"Dying to be Gorgeous"},"content":{"rendered":"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month<\/p>\n

Are We Dying to be Beautiful?<\/h3>\n

Our skincare is poisonous! This\u00a0is no longer news but still remains a\u00a0serious issue. In the summer of 2007 newspapers caused gasps with such headlines. The\u00a0daily application of conventional cosmetics means the body absorbs almost 5lbs of synthetic chemicals a year (before applying body lotion, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner etc.). Many of these chemicals are known carcinogens (cancer causing), and are known to cause damage to the brain, reproductive system and other organs, (Telegraph.co.uk June 22, 2007).<\/h4>\n

Nearly ten years on nothing has changed.<\/p>\n

According to the US environmental watchdog (EWG), of the 10,500 ingredients used in cosmetics, toothpaste, sunscreen, nail polish etc. approximately only 13 % have been reviewed for safety in the last 30 years. We\u00a0apply up to 126 different ingredients on our skin daily<\/strong> and 90 percent of these have never been evaluated for safety (that is an estimated 514 chemicals)\"chemicals<\/a>. The list of harmful ingredients used in cosmetics is lengthy with \u00a0900 of these are known to be toxic. See our list of ingredients to avoid f<\/a>or a run down on the\u00a0\u00a0worst offenders or click here<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

Parabens<\/h3>\n
One of the well\u00a0known toxins to avoid are Parabens<\/h5>\n

Many scientists believe there is an important link between parabens and breast cancer. Scientists from the University of Reading studied the samples of 20 different human breast tumours taken from mastectomies between 2005 and 2008 and measured the concentration of parabens in the tissue of the breast, from armpit to breast bone.<\/p>\n

According to the study, 99% of the samples contained one or more paraben, while 60% of the tissue samples contained traces of all five of the most commonly used parabens. \u00a0The January 2012 issue<\/a>\u00a0of the Journal of Applied Technology<\/em> shows more evidence of a correlation between parabens and incidences of breast cancer.<\/p>\n

What are they?<\/h4>\n

Parabens inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and moulds, and are used as preservatives. On the label they may be listed as: Methyl paraben, Propyl paraben, Isobutyl paraben, Ethyl paraben, Butyl paraben and E216.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0chemical found in deodorants, Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, \u00a0sunscreens, cosmetics, Shaving gel and Toothpaste etc.) . It has been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, which can drive the growth of human breast tumours.<\/p>\n

FACT You Can Absorb MORE Toxins from Skin Care Products than Food<\/h2>\n

Your skin is your largest organ and is highly permeable. What you put on your skin will end up in your bloodstream (think nicotine patches, HRP patches etc). Putting chemicals on the skin may actually be worse than eating them. When you eat something, the enzymes in your saliva and stomach help to break it down and flush it out of your body. However, when you apply these chemicals on to your skin, they are absorbed straight into your bloodstream without filtering of any kind, going directly to your delicate organs.<\/p>\n

Are there Safe Personal Care Products?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Most\u00a0personal care products -including those from high-end department stores – contain toxic ingredients that can harm our health. However there are numerous certified natural, organic skin and hair care brands that rival high street in terms of\u00a0anti-ageing<\/em>\u00a0properties to bang on\u00a0trend\u00a0cosmetics but are better for you, the environment and no animals testing. \u00a0Look for the genuine Organic Certification<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pay attention to the order in which the ingredients are listed. Manufacturers are required to list ingredients in descending order by volume, meaning the first few ingredients are the most prominent.<\/p>\n

Buy products that come in glass bottles rather than plastic, since chemicals can leach out of plastics and into the contents. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a serious concern; make sure any plastic container is BPA FREE. ( yes it is tiring but worth it).<\/p>\n

Look for products\u00a0that are made by companies that have an\u00a0earth-friendly, animal-friendly and green ethos such as Antipodes <\/a>for serious super food ingredients, \"image\"Neals Yard Remedies<\/a> famous for their Anti-ageing Frankincense range.<\/p>\n

Try Lavera <\/a>for brilliant body care including a wide range of \u00a0effective deodorants. Benecos are a\u00a0fantastic and affordable make up rage. Faith In Nature<\/a>\u00a0is great for soaps as well as body care, while John Masters Organics <\/a>are unrivaled as\u00a0the ultimate hair care range, to name but a few.<\/p>\n

Au Natural:<\/b><\/h2>\n

One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’re not being exposed to potentially hazardous agents is to use simple all-natural ingredients that many of\u00a0us\u00a0already have in our home.<\/p>\n

Here are a few of my recommendations:<\/p>\n