Nowadays, there are a huge number of different skin care products available, from which choosing the right one can be quite difficult, especially because the labels on the products are misleading and create a deceptive perception of the composition of the product in the consumer. For example, products labeled with the word “natural” may not be particularly skin-friendly, nor natural. The word “natural” is already used on products even when something natural is added to the product. Now, if you take into account the fact that the main ingredient in all creams, detergents and other products is always water, which is always natural, and if you add a few more drops of vegetable oil to it, it is as if not much else is needed to write “natural” on the label. Now, if you take into account the fact that the main ingredient in all creams, detergents and other products is always water, which is always natural, and if you add a few more drops of vegetable oil to it, it is as if not much else is needed to write “natural” on the label. Scientists have also determined that about 80% of cancers are caused by various chemicals. In the following post, we highlight the common ingredients we avoid in our products, why we do it, and the reasons why you don’t want to find these ingredients in the products you use:
1.SULFATES
May be mentioned in the ingredients list (Ingredients) as: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES).
Most often sulphates are produced from oil, sulfates that are safer for health are obtained from coconut and other vegetable oils, but usually the plant origin is also indicated on the packaging. Sulphates are found in shampoos, detergents, shower gels, soaps, children’s toothpastes, etc. Sulphates have originally been used for washing cars, various machines and floors, now human skin care products are used. This substance is a very effective fat remover and creates a feeling of foaming, which makes the consumer feel that he is getting “clean”. However, the problem is that it washes off the skin not only fat but also the protective layer, as a result of which the skin is left without a protective microflora. If SLS is already 0.5% in the composition of the product, then it is irritating to the skin. In shampoos, the amount of the substance that washes into SLS is usually 30-40%, i.e. if this substance is among the first three ingredients. If you now think, “but I’m going to wash it down,” it can actually be absorbed into the body, for example, it’s found in the brain. When using shampoo containing SLS, it is only a matter of time before it is expressed in dryness of the scalp or in excess grease, dandruff, the need to wash your hair too often, in addition, the hair may also simply begin to fall out. Sulfates also have an irritating effect on the digestive system, they can irritate the eyes, cause allergies and skin rashes. Find out all your foamy cosmetics and find out if they contain the above substances and replace them with products containing milder sulphates if possible.
2.PARABENS
May be mentioned in the ingredients list (Ingredients) as: methylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and other parabens.
Parabens are contained in a huge number of products and have been used in the cosmetics industry for over 70 years. They are used as preservatives, prolong the life of the product, and they prevent fungi, bacteria and microbes from growing in your favorite products, especially in warm and humid (bathroom) conditions. Parabens are contained in 75-90% of skin care products, even baby products and some so-called. “natural” products contain parabens. But why are parabens so denigrated and tried to avoid it? Firstly, because parabens are antimicrobial chemicals and can cause allergies and skin irritation; studies have found that parabens promote the development of cancer, have a disruptive effect on hormonal balance, because when the body reaches the body, parabens consider hormones (mainly the female hormone), the abundance of which affects male libido and infertility. PS! Also check your husband’s cosmetic bag and see which products would be wise to replace. As much as there are studies confirming the harmfulness of parabens, there are studies proving their safety, which confirm that parabens, especially in small quantities, do not have a significant risk to health. However, if you take into account how much the average person uses means that may contain chemicals per day (soap, liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste, dishwashing, face cream, hand cream, body cream, shower gel, makeup, makeup removal agent, facial water, etc.), then the daily amount of chemicals and potential exposure to harmful substances is quite significant and certainly not particularly skin-friendly. In addition to everything, parabens also cause a lot of trouble in nature, where they will inevitably end up, but a separate article could already be written about it.
There are circles that argue that parabens are still safe, and rather it is important that the product does not go bad. Agree that the microbiology of a product must not endanger the health of the user, but today we have so many other ways to successfully preserve products that the argument of necessity should no longer be an excuse for the use of parabens for a long time.
3. MINERAL OILS OR PETROCHEMICALS
May be mentioned in the ingredients list (Ingredients) as: Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Petroleum, Paraffin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petroleum Jelly; in Estonian: mineral oil, petrolatom, parafin, petroleum jelly.
Petrochemicals, or mineral oils, are derived from crude oil, which is obtained from kerosene in the manufacture of gasoline. These substances create a filmy layer on the skin that prevents the skin from breathing, which clogs the pores and interferes with the skin’s natural ability to remove toxins. In essence, mineral oils use moisture in the deeper layers of the skin to absorb it onto the surface of the skin and thus dry you from the inside. Mineral oils drastically slow down the production process of vitamin D in the skin, with its long-term use toxins and bacteria accumulate inside the skin, as a result of which comedones and pimples are formed, and the skin becomes lifeless. For example, if we strip our forearms and put a plastic bag around our hands, then the skin under the film will soon get sweaty. The same thing happens when we apply a cream or other product containing mineral oil to the skin. Therefore, for the care of dry or sensitive skin, you should not choose creams, the main ingredient of which is mineral oils, in fact, we do not recommend using products containing mineral oil at all, since its efficiency for the skin is close to zero. In addition, mineral oils cause premature aging of the skin, make it dry and cracky. Apparently, dermatitis, psoriasis and other complex skin problems are associated with the use of mineral oils. NB: Most cheap cosmetics contain mineral oils because it is an inexpensive alternative to vegetable oils. Find out your products and find out if they contain mineral oil and replace them in a hurry! Better expensive and higher-quality products than cheap products based on mineral oil, which cause skin problems and later make you spend a large amount of money getting rid of them.
4. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES
May be mentioned in the ingredients list (Ingredients) as: parfume, parfum, fragrance.
Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates and synthetic chemicals, which are used as a odor stabilizer and to increase the flexibility of plastic. Fragrances are the most allergenic ingredients in cosmetics, they can cause skin irritation, itching, headache, – vortex, difficulty breathing, rashes, vomiting, hyperactivity, sensitivity, pigment spots and can cause cancer. Also, synthetic fragrances can affect the central nervous system, disrupt metabolism, hormone work, thyroid activity, cause depression, hyperactivity and irritability. We recommend avoiding products that contain synthetic fragrances! HOIA recommends choosing products that use essential oils with fragrances because they are 100% natural and are extracted from plants. (All HOIA products contain exclusively essential oils as fragrances).
The cosmetics industry often uses the above compounds because they are inexpensive! However, considering how much today the average person is exposed to various chemicals-containing means (soaps, washing gels, dishwashing detergent, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, face mask, makeup remover, face water, face wash gel, face scrub, body scrub, toothpaste, hand cream, face cream, body cream, hand desiccator, etc.), then after a day, the exposure of our largest organ, the skin, to chemicals can be quite significant, and the body can accumulate quite a large amount of harmful substances when using different products. Consequently, it makes sense to minimise their quantity in the products used daily.
HOIA products are 100% natural and do not contain any of the substances mentioned in the article, nor do HOIA products contain other substances that are unnecessary and harmful to the skin that are not mentioned in the article.