Toss the toxins with Nourished Life
Going completely natural or toxin free can be a daunting task, especially when faced with giving up your favourite lippie or mascara but that's exactly why Nourished Life was created, to help women in Australia find a natural alternative to our favourite beauty products that are even better than their chemical counterparts. Nowadays with green washing, it can be so hard to know what it is truly natural so read on to find out the what's what with natural beauty and the Top 10 Toxins to avoid.
So what actually is natural beauty? Because there is no concrete definition or regulation body, anyone can put something in a bottle and call it natural or green"¦. and they do. So many companies talk about their products being soft, pure, gentle or even eco-friendly or natural and this is known as greenwashing.
Truly natural beauty products should contain at least 90 percent of naturally-derived ingredients and be free from all synthetics. To get the seal of approval from the Natural Products Association (US based), a personal care product must: "be made up of only, or at least almost only, natural ingredients manufactured with appropriate processes to maintain ingredient purity," and should not be tested on animals.
On the other hand, for a product to be truly organic or certified organic, it must contain at least 95 per cent organic content and be free from parabens, petroleum derivatives, sodium lauryl sulfates and genetic modification, according to Australian Certified Organic (ACO).
For a product to be allowed to have the ’made with organic ingredients" statement it must contain 70-95% of organic content and also be from all toxic and synthetic ingredients.
This means that in the same way you look at your food labels to make sure you're nourishing your body with clean foods, you should be reading your cosmetic labels to ensure you’re doing the same thing for your skin (which luckily Nourished Life has done for you!).
So exactly what ingredients should you be looking out for? Well unfortunately the list is endless but don't fret! We have compiled ’The Toxic Ten’ ’ a list of the top 10 worst offenders when it comes to skincare and makeup:
1. Formaldehyde
This is a known carcinogen, allergen, skin irritant and a potential cause of dermatitis, headaches and fatigue. It is mainly used in body wash; cleansers, nail polish and hair care to prevent bacteria growth.
2. Parabens (including Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl)
These are used to extend the shelf life of products and are potential endocrine disruptors. They are commonly found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, hair care and cleansers.
3. Mineral Oil
This oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores and interfering with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins. It’s found in most body and face moisturisers.
4. Propylene Glycol (PG)
This is another petroleum derivative and is a known skin irritant that has been associated with causing dermatitis as well as hives.
5. Phthalates
These are used as plasticisers in food wraps and containers as well as in hairspray, nail polish and perfumed products.
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate/Sodium Laureth Sulphate
SLS’s are used in car washes, floor cleaners and engine degreasers as a harsh cleaning and foaming agent. They are also found in more than 90% of mainstream personal care products!
7. Synthetic colours
These can contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin causing skin sensitivity and irritation.
8. Synthetic fragrances
Fragrances on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate chemicals. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database, fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis and respiratory distress.
9. Phenoxyethanol
This is found in many products claiming to be natural and organic. The organic certification board has not approved this preservative and repeated exposure has been linked to dermatitis, worsening of eczema, and neurotoxicity.
10. Toluene
This is another petrochemical derived from petroleum or coal tar sources. Toluene is commonly used in paint thinner (including nail paints and polishes!) and can affect the respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate skin.
This is pretty scary stuff and a lot to digest, but the thought of doing a full makeup detox and throwing away your fav products, can be just as overwhelming as well as expensive! Which is why Nourished Life is here. We have a natural alternative to all your beauty favs from natural makeup, organic skin care and natural deodorant. To ensure you get the right products for you, ask us for personalised recommendations, advice and reviews!
Want the chance to WIN a natural beauty overhaul? Head to the https://www.facebook.com/nourishedlife/photos/a.212247715486281.59071.184093554968364/881327355244977/?type=1&theater[Nourished Life Facebook] page to find out how!
