Understanding Why Skin Care Products Should Be Paraben Free
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010Paraben free products have been around forever, but have only gained attention in recent years. In 2004, researchers announced that parabens had been found in high concentrations in breast cancer tumors. Attempts to explain the significance of those findings are still ongoing.
The chemicals are used as preservatives. While there are a few naturally occurring parabens, they are not used commercially. All of the parabens found in personal care products, foods and other commercial goods are created synthetically.
A number of different companies produce the chemicals. The process is relatively simple. Para-hydroxybenzoic acid is combined with one or more types of alcohol to create them. Those compounds are synthesized from other chemicals. One is Triethylamine.
Some of the adverse health effects of these chemicals are well known. For example, Triethylamine I known to cause swelling of the cornea, the clear membrane that covers the eye. Irritation of the lungs and nasal passages occurs when the substance is inhaled on a frequent basis. In animal studies, the chemical has been shown to cause liver, kidney and heart damage.
Most people use shampoo, body wash, perfume, deodorant, lotion and similar products on a daily basis. Unless they are all paraben free, they are exposed to Triethylamine on a daily basis from many different products.
Parabens have been widely accepted as safe and non-toxic. Animal studies have provided the basis for this belief. But the metabolism of a rat is quite different from that of a human.
The rat’s metabolism quickly metabolizes toxins disposes of them as waste. Toxins are known to accumulate in human organs and tissues. So, it should really come as no surprise that “safe” parabens were found in breast cancer tumors.
We might not know everything there is to know about the need for paraben free products. But there are some things we do know.
Parabens are common allergens. The allergic reaction caused in people with sensitive skin is not as severe as that caused by other artificial preservatives, but there is a reaction.
People can become more sensitive to the chemicals as time goes by. If products containing them are used on broken or damaged skin, there is a greater risk of adverse reaction, which usually includes burning, itching and irritation. This is the reason for the product advisement; not to be used on broken or damaged skin.
People with a history of food allergies are advised to buy only paraben free foods. The allergic reactions caused by ingesting the chemicals are believed by some experts to be greater than those caused by applying them to the skin’s surface. Some researchers disagree with that.
Allergic reactions are acute. They happen quickly and suddenly. They often resolve on their own very quickly. There is more concern about chronic or long-term health effects, which are not immediately apparent and often cannot be traced to a single cause.
The parabens found in the tumors are known to be the ones commonly found in antiperspirants and other skincare products. That is something the scientists know. So they were absorbed through the skin and not ingested through eating.
The best suggestion is to always shop for paraben free products. There is no reason to buy products containing them. Safe and natural alternatives are available now, just as they have always been.
Anti Aging Natural Skin Care with Wakame Kelp Extract
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Here’s a look at some of the more effective anti aging natural skin care solutions. There are plenty of “marginally” effective ingredients. The ones covered here are a little better than that. Let’s start with wakame kelp.
Wakame kelp or seaweed is highly nutritious. So it is often used as a component of many health food recipes. The benefits to the skin’s health are several. The first benefit has to do with a compound called hyaluronic acid.
If you have compared any of the ingredients in the anti aging natural skin care products currently on the market, you have probably seen one called hyaluronic acid. It is one of the most popular ingredients right now.
The popularity is due in part to the compound’s use as an injectable to stretch out wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid and other compounds are injected into the skin’s fatty tissue layer to improve firmness and reduce wrinkling. When applied topically, however, it does nothing.
Another reason for its popularity has to do with the following fact: The skin’s hyaluronic acid levels decline with age.
This is one of the causes of the lost elasticity and lost firmness that occurs with age. Lost firmness leads to wrinkles. Once again, applying it to the skin’s surface does nothing to increase the skin’s hyaluronic acid content.
Scientists have discovered the reason for the decreased levels as we age. It is due to increased activity of a family of enzymes called hyaluronidaise. They naturally break down hyaluronic acid. When we are young, the body simply produces more. So there is a balance.
Extracts from wakame kelp have been shown to inhibit the activity of hyaluronidaise by 52% after 5 days of use. That means the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels will rise by about the same percentage. The result is a more youthful look due to the improved firmness and smoothness.
Anti aging natural skin care products containing the extract will also help protect against free radical damage caused by UV rays and exposure to environmental pollutants. The compound in the extract providing that benefit is called sulfated polyfucose.
Finally, wakame kelp extracts help to maintain the skin’s moisture balance by providing essential minerals like sodium, potassium and calcium. Kelp actually contains more calcium than an equivalent serving of milk.
Every anti aging natural skin care product should contain wakame kelp extracts, but most don’t. A lot of them contain seaweed or marine algae. But not all seaweeds provide the same benefits.
Briefly now, let’s look at grape seed oil. Grape seeds contain numerous antioxidants. The skin’s antioxidant content also decreases with age.
Some antioxidants can penetrate through the skin’s layers when applied topically. Others should be present in your diet. Dermatologists recommend eating more fruits and vegetables to help counter antioxidant loss.
Free radical damage is one of the main causes of cellular aging everywhere in the body; inside and out. Our only defense against free radical damage is the antioxidant.
The antioxidants in grape seed oil can penetrate into the skin’s layers. So that makes two ingredients that should be in all anti aging natural skin care creams, grape seed oil and wakame kelp. You might want to learn about some of the others.
To find natural skin care products with wakame kelp extract and grapeseed oil click here.
4 Important Ingredients in Natural Wrinkle Creams
Friday, July 16th, 2010
A natural wrinkle cream containing antioxidants, proteins, plant extracts and nourishing oils could be exactly what you need to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Here’s a look at the benefits of specific ingredients.
Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil can be used for cooking. Some chefs like it because of its unique “filming” ability. It forms a film over the pan and the vegetables being cooked. This allows them to use less oil.
When applied to the skin, the film acts to hold moisture in. The benefits of use may include reduced wrinkles, scars and stretch marks. It can help improve circulation. Because of its antioxidant activity, it protects against free radical damage (one of the causes of cellular aging) and it may reduce your risk of skin cancer.
You can purchase grape seed oil at gourmet food stores and use it “as is”. Or, you could look for a natural wrinkle cream that contains it. It may be particularly beneficial for repairing damage around the eyes.
Wakame Kelp Extracts
Wakame is one of the most nutrient-rich varieties of kelp. Kelp is simply another name for seaweed. It is sold in health food stores around the world. The extracts must be properly prepared in order to be used on the skin.
The minerals in wakame are necessary for balancing the skin’s moisture content. The extracts have antioxidant activity and contain B vitamins that help to provide protection from sun damage, another cause of wrinkles.
But, the primary benefit of wakame has to do with the skin’s hyaluronic acid content. Along with collagen and elastin, hyaluronic acid is essential for smooth, firm skin. Without wakame, the skin’s hyaluronic acid content decreases with age. Wakame keeps that from happening.
Coenzyme Q10
Any natural wrinkle cream worth its price will contain coenzyme Q10. There is more scientific evidence supporting its benefits than there is for any other single ingredient.
Coenzyme Q10 is a popular dietary supplement. It is particularly beneficial for the heart. It keeps heart rates stable and helps with some kinds of murmurs.
The concentration of coenzyme Q10 in all of the cells of the body starts to decrease with age. The skin’s COQ10 is quickly depleted during sun exposure.
Scientists have had to reduce the size of the COQ10 molecules in order to allow them to penetrate deep into the skin. A natural wrinkle cream containing this reduced form is beneficial for reducing wrinkles and reversing sun damage. It not only protects against free radical damage. It reverses it.
Vitamin E
You might not know that most of the vitamin E for sale in the US is synthetic, derived from petrochemicals. There are only a few companies that still use the naturally occurring form of the antioxidant.
The benefits of use may include a reduction in fine lines and the prevention of age spots. It can also be used to replace the irritating artificial preservatives that so many companies use.
There are other ingredients that should be included in natural wrinkle cream. You might want to learn a little more about them before you buy.
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