Glow Naturally: Safer Skincare Starts With Whole Ingredients

It is hard to trust skincare. Sometimes it feels like a scam, sometimes it feels counterproductive. The truth is most people don’t understand what even goes into skincare bottles, and companies don’t make it any easier with chemical formulas so complicated; mixing them together may as well summon a new element.

Although many types of chemicals in skincare are considered to be safe for cosmetics, such as silicones and octocrylene in creams, the long-term effects are still sometimes unknown. Lots of skin care is now is made using certain petroleum-derived-based products. The chemicals aren't always harmful, but here are a few notable ingredients to try to avoid in your creams and washes.

1. Parabens: Methylparaben/Propylparaben/Butylparaben

This ingredient can be found in moisturizers and has been linked to endocrine disruption.

2. Synthetic Fragrance/Parfum

Synthetic fragrances are found in the majority of beauty products and usually contain lots of unknown chemicals with formaldehyde with warnings related to allergies, hormone disruption, and asthma. Essential oils are a natural and better substitute for parfum fragrance.

3. Siloxanes/Cyclopentasiloxane

This is found in some facial moisturizers to add silkiness, but it is linked to hormone disruption, fertility issues and liver toxicity. 

4. Polyethylene glycol

This ingredient is found in some moisturizers but can be contaminated with a carcinogen and is linked to organ toxicity and immunity. 

5. BHT

BHT is commonly found in moisturizers, lip balms, and sunscreens as a synthetic preservative and is linked to toxic effects in the lung tissue.

Hopefully this does not scare you into thinking you may have hormonal disruption from using Neutrogena for several years, but it might be helpful to look at alternatives to chemical-heavy skincare that will serve all the same benefits and more. 

Natural Alternatives to Keep Skin Clean

With natural skincare products, you know exactly what you are putting on your skin. Here are some recommendations for some of the best naturally based skin products. 

1. Unrefined Shea Butter 

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree, which can be used to treat eczema, scars, and more. It can be used as a substitute for petroleum and won’t make your skin oily. 

2. Goat's milk soap 

Goat milk soap is suitable for dry skin and works as a gentle facial cleanser with a creamier consistency than regular soaps. 

3. Organic beeswax 

Beeswax is suitable as lip balm and body butter with deep hydration and healing properties.

4. Jojoba oil 

This non-comodogenic ingredient has hydration benefits for both skin and hair. It is well tolerated by most skin types.

5. Niacinamide (vitamin B3)

This vitamin is considered a staple for skin gurus and offers numerous benefits to moisturize and reduce inflammation and redness. 

6. Natural Scrubs: Brown sugar, honey, and essential oils

DIY scrubs are simple to make with sugars and oils, yet they still provide the same exfoliation of dead skin cells and boosted circulation. Follow this recipe for quick at-home scrubs. 

In the end, choosing natural skincare isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness and empowerment. By understanding what goes into the products we apply every day, we can make choices that align with our well-being. Natural alternatives offer powerful benefits without relying on synthetic additives. Exploring these options can help you build a skincare routine that feels better for your body.