It can be difficult to distinguish between good and bad additives when the natural beauty industry is focusing on the need for cleaner, healthier products. Beauty products now contain powerful skin care additives.
Vitamin C
It is the most well-known antioxidant. It can be used topically or in pill form. Vitamin C has been promoted as an immune booster and for stimulating the production collagen. Vitamin C is believed to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by boosting collagen. Hyaluronic acid is another important ingredient in lotions and creams, particularly for facial products. It is also known as hyaluronic acid.
This sugar-based compound is responsible for shock absorption and lubrication. Because of its water binding capabilities, hyaluronic acids can increase skin firmness, as well as promote elasticity, cell turnover, and radiant skin.
Vitamin E
Also known as tocopherol, is an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce free radicals in the body. This could help slow down the aging process. Antioxidants can also protect skin from sunburns. It can improve skin appearance topically. Avoid products that contain these additives. Parabens (including butyl, methyl- and propylparabens), are very common in commercial beauty products as chemical preservatives.
Parabens are used as a preservative to increase shelf life and prolong the product’s lifespan. Parabens have been linked to increased estrogen interaction. Consumers should be aware of this. An increase in estrogen levels has been linked to a variety of ailments, including breast cancer and hormone-disrupting conditions like migraines and uterine abnormalities. Triethanolamine, a chemical derived from ammonia (abbreviated as TEA), is used in beauty products to clean and balance pH levels. It also prevents the product from seperating.
Reasearch
Recent studies have shown a link between TEA, certain types of cancers and TEA. Its amine quality means that it can create nitrosamines, which are suspected carcinogens. Parabens are the most commonly used preservatives to extend shelf life. Imidazolidinyl Urea is the second most common commercially available preservative. Contact dermatitis is often caused by preservatives in beauty products. For maximum preservation, imidazolidinyl is often mixed with parabens to minimize skin irritation.
It is not surprising that imidazolidinyl-urea can release formaldehyde (a toxic chemical known to cause skin irritation) into cosmetics when temperatures exceed 50 degrees F. The pH, temperature, and age of water-based cosmetics such as shampoos and lotions are all affected by formaldehyde (from Imidazolidinyl). You can make healthier skin care choices by choosing products that contain vitamins and antioxidants such as panthenol (retinol), ascorbic acid, and tocopherol. Avoid potentially harmful ingredients like parabens and imidazolidinylurea, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, and triethanolamine.