Chemical Safe Skincare Campaign

With more people than ever driving to work, more chemicals being used in our cleaning products and we are using more skincare products than ever before it isn’t surprising that more of us find ourselves suffering from Chemical Sensitivity in some form or another.

Conditions such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) would be the most obvious condition triggered by harsh cleaning detergents, plastic coatings, air fresheners, paints and many more chemical ridden products. The problem for sufferers is that these triggers are present all around us in our home, workplaces and even our cars.

Asthma, Eczema and Dermatitis are also conditions that can be triggered by chemicals in our environment, our clothes and especially in our skincare and cleaning products. Most skincare products contain artificial musks, colourings and harsh preservatives to make them more cosmetically attractive to the user. The problem with this is that up to 60% of skincare ingredients are absorbed into the body through the skin, which can result in skin irritations and flare-ups. The fragrances and musks used in perfumes, bubble baths, moisturisers and shampoos are also inhaled.

Perfumes and aftershaves are more popular every year as Valentine gifts. Unfortunately some many leave you feeling less than amorous due to their irritancy and potential side effects.

According to the Environmental Working Group who campaign for safe chemicals in skincare and perfumes, a major loophole in the law allows fragrance manufacturers to use potentially hazardous chemicals in perfumes. Take a quick look at most skincare products and perfumes and you are bound to find a long list of ingredients which will probably contain a long list of musks, phthalates and alcohols. In less severe cases, these potent fragrances can be inhaled leading to breathing problems, and can also irritate the skin resulting in skin rashes. The EWG also highlight that many fragrances have also been linked to more severe health problems including heart problems, cancer and hormone/endocrine disruption.

In addition to the musks and phthalates found in many fragrances, alcohol makes up a huge proportion to most perfumes and aftershaves. Alcohol can dry the skin leaving skin irritated and itchy. For those with sensitive skin, alcohol should be avoided in skincare products.

So this Valentines it may be worth avoiding fragrances and choosing fragrance free skincare instead.

As the debate on organic food dies down we cannot help but notice the new revolution in skincare with more and more skincare ranges being natural and organic.

The old rule applies… Let the buyer beware! All may not be what it seems.

Unlike Ronseal, it may not do what it says on the tin. You may have to screen the product packaging to actually identify the ingredients that are actually natural and organic in the product. In some cases we have found products, which actually call themselves organic in their brand name and actually have only one or two minor ingredients, which are actually organic.

If you don’t believe us, just look at the back of the pack to see what ingredients are organic and natural. Many products may be fragranced by natural ingredients but the rest of the product is packed with SLS, parabens, artificial colours….