A study published in the American Journal of Public Health showed that the skin absorbs an average of 64% of the products we apply to our skin. Because the average woman uses approximately 12 products on her skin daily (including cleansers, toners, creams, lotions, serums, makeup, cologne, hair care, deodorant, etc.) that can mean upwards of 100 different chemicals, preservatives and fragrances entering our bloodstream daily! The influx of these synthetic additives, which vary in levels of toxicity, take their toll on both our complexion and our overall health. This is why it’s important to apply the same diligence to skincare that we use when we watch what we eat. The best way to mitigate this lifelong assault on our system is to:
1) Detoxify your system. Below are some easy suggestions to achieve this ongoing.
· Sweat Hit the gym or sauna (infrared sauna especially) and allow your body to naturally eliminate toxins. Make sure to wash as soon as possible afterward so that your body does not reabsorb the toxins sweated-out on the skin.
· Eat Anti-oxidants rich foods that include include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Berries, fruits, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, spices, and beverages like coffee and green tea have some of the highest amounts of antioxidant.
· Add Natural stimulants like a tablespoon of coconut oil or a glass of celery juice to your daily diet to help keep you regular. These are much healthier options than over-the-counter laxatives (even the natural ones) which can send your system into distress. Probiotic foods are also a great daily addition to your diet, and can be found in many tasty foods such as kefir, yogurt, and dill pickles!
· Drink At least 8 glasses of water to flush out toxins. Heat it up and add lemon in the morning for additional anti-oxidant benefits. A gentle detox tea that can be drank daily will also make a difference. Look for one that does not contain caffeine and is not aimed at weight loss specifically, as that can throw your system into havoc. A good choice is Yogi DeTox, which contains ingredients like ginger, burdock, dandelion, juniper berry and can be found in most stores (and on Amazon).
2) Use the right products. When shopping for the products that go on your skin, be mindful that “natural” is just a buzzword. A product containing one or more natural ingredients can lose their effectiveness when blended with many preservatives, detergents and fragrances. While it would make it much easier if all safe and “clean” products were labeled “100% organic,” that is not always the case. The best way to be sure that you’re putting on your skin is safe is to review ingredients and seek out reputable sources. While it’s not likely (or practical) that you’ll toss out all of your favorite products and replace them with organic ones, introducing healthier choices into your hair and skincare routine will help. Bonus – those products are often environmentally-friendly! Below is a guide to help you sort it all out:
· Sunscreen, Cleansers and Lotions – Tizo formulas utilize highly effective ingredients to maintain skin’s moisture levels by reducing trans-epidermal water loss while Skin Firm Technology gradually and continuously repairs skin with its time-released system. To make their broad-spectrum sunscreens as accessible as possible to a wide range of skin types, they are formulated with all physical, FDA-approved active sunscreen filters without the use of chemical sunscreens, oils, parabens and other irritants. Anti-Ageing Aesthetics carry Tizo products, and you can order them here.
· Makeup – Not everyone wears makeup every day, but it’s worth the effort to stock up on a few key items to integrate into your stash, especially since we tend to apply and reapply makeup when we do wear it (or eat it, as in the case of lipstick). While finding cosmetics that are 100% organic in the usual stores is not easy, they can always be found online and in select stores.
· Deodorant When studies came out linking ant-perspirants to breast cancer, many women switched over to deodorant. However, not all deodorants are created equally. Look for those that contain ingredients like kaolin clay, organic arrowroot powder, organic aloe vera, organic essential oils, aluminum-free baking soda, etc. to keep you fresh instead of toxins like parabens, aluminum, triclosan, talc, propylene glycol, steareths, and TEA/DEA (triethanolamine/diethanolamne).
· Haircare - Not only do the chemicals in haircare enter our bloodstream through the scalp, they also lay on top of the follicle causing dull, unhealthy looking hair. Many of the products we probably already have in our bathroom may contain things like coal tar (used in dandruff shampoos), and ethanolamine (used in styling products), which are all associated with health concerns such as skin and eye irritation, endocrine disruption, and developmental, reproductive, and immune toxicity. No worries, it's never too late to switch!
· Serums, Oils and Anti-Aging products - As many of you know, Anti-Ageing Aesthetics offers made-to-order serums, hair/scalp and body oils, and anti-aging products using only organic ingredient from countries with strict quality requirements. We create our custom blends without additives to nourish skin in the purest and most effective way. Our farm-to-face philosophy enables us to treat skin of all ages, types, and heritages reach its fullest potential. To learn more about our products, contact us.
Lastly, remember that a qualified aesthetician is a great source for this type of information. Ask us...we're always happy to help. Be well!