Brainy Beauty Bit: Harmful Chemicals in beauty products and how to spot them

More and more brands are bringing out products without any harmful chemicals. Brands like Dr. Organic and Anatomicals only bring out products that are natural and won't harm you. They are sulfate, parabens and silicone free. But what are these chemicals and what do they do to do you? I often find myself turning around bottles and tubes to check out the ingredient-list, but then realize that I cannot even figure out what half of these ingredients mean. So today I'm going to explain them all. 

Parabens - These chemicals can be found in shampoos, conditioners, body milks and toothpastr, but they are even additives in food. They are chemicals used as preservatives, that's why they are found in so many products. They are used to fight bacteria and fungus. 

There have been multiple investigations on both side of the subject. Are they bad or are they safe? They have in some cases been linked to causing cancer. They can mimic the hormone estrogen, which has been proven to play a part in causing breast cancer. They have also been linked to causing a less active reproductive system. Simply said, they can make you infertile. Parabens can also make your skin age must faster. 

How do you recognise parabens in products? Parabens can be recognised in the list by all ingredients that end with -ethyl, -butyl, -propyl, -benzyl and -isobutyl. 

Silicones - Silicone is a chemically derived product with occlusive qualities. What this means in terms of skincare is that covers the skin to protect and keep the moisture in. By doing so, silicone also fills in uneven skin texture like fine lines and acne scars so it gives the illusion of great skin when foundation is applied over it. This is why most makeup primers in the market will contain silicones because it helps the primer do its work i.e. prime the skin for makeup.

They are also used in conditioners, masks and creams for your hair. Silicones coat your tresses and make them feel soft and hydrated, while they really aren't. They're just covered by a silicone layer. 

Silicone can build up in your hair and on your scalp overtime. This can make your hair weak, prone to getting oily very fast and it can clog the hair follicle. Because your hair shaft is coated by the silicone it seals out moisture, so the shampoo or conditioner that make your hair feel really soft is actually drying your hair out and making its condition worse. 

Silicones are quite easy to recognize in cosmetics. They most often end with -methicone or another -one. The one most commonly used in cosmetics is dimethicone. 

Sulfates - Sulfates are surfactants. Surfactants are chemicals that can break the surface tension allowing water to penetrate deeper and give you a deeper clean. They are also the chemical that make your shampoo, dishwashing soap, engine cleaner work. What is the risk of sulfates? As I said before, sulfates are also used in engine cleaner to degrease the engines. 

Sulfates strip your hair or your skin of their natural oils. Do you know that tight feeling after using a specific cleanser? I'll bet that that cleanser has sulfates in it. 

How do you recognise sulfates? I've provided a short list of the most commonly used sulfates. From least irritating to most: Sodium Myreth Sulfate, TEA Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonia Laureth Sulfate. 

These things are all easily avoidable in cosmetics. Tons of brands make products without these ingredients these days. It might take somegetting used to, because your hair won't lather up extremely or you skin won't feel squeaky clean. Nor will your hair feel as super smooth as you are used too, but it will in time be healthier. 

I hope this post made understanding the ingredients-list a litte easier. It certainly cleared things up for me. What is your opinion? Do you mind using these chemicals? Let me know below!

The battle against SLS/SLES: Step 1 Hair Care

SLS? What is that? Might come to mind after reading the title and the header of this post. SLS stands for Sodiom Lauryl Sulfate. SLES is Sodium Laureth Sulfate, SLES is a milder version of SLS. These sulfates are sulfates that are commonly used in shampoos, soap, cleansers, body washes, etc.. Basically, it's soap. It's a chemical that makes your product foam up. They are part of the group labeled as 'sulfuctants', which are surface cleaners. You can also use SLS and SLES to clean your kitchen... or your car. Now you don't want that on your face or hair, do you?

These chemicals are also very irritating. they can cause hair follicle damage, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity.

SLS and SLES are not neccessary in your hair care, hygiene and skin care routine. There are plenty of amazing products that are free of these harsh chemicals and still do a great job at getting you really clean. I was very relieved that at least my skin care was free of SLS and SLES. (And it should be.. for 35 bucks per bottle of cleanses!!) But going through my bathroom cabinet I was shocked to see that EVERY SINGLE THING had SLES in it, a few had SLS.

I threw out all the half finished bottles of shampoo and went to a drugstore that I know stocks a lot of organic natural things. The sales lady assisted me in finding a proper shampoo for my hair type and my wants.

Dr. Organic is a British brand that specialises in organic products for skin, hair, face, teeth, you name it. Everything you'll need for your personal care and hygiene, they have it.

I purchased a new shampoo and conditioner from this brand, because my hair care is the very first step towards banning all SLS from my life. I just don't feel comfortable using it anymore.

The shampoo and conditioner I bought is from the Virgin Olive Oil range, which has been specially designed for hydrating purposes. My hair needs hydration especially after I've used hot styling tools on my precious locks.

Below are two photographs of the ingredients of the shampoo and conditioner.

The conditioner.

The shampoo.

I'm excited to use these products. I hope they improve my hair and the condition of my scalp. My scalp is often irritated and itchy, and I think that it might just be the cause of the SLS in the products I've been using.

The next step is going to be personal hygiene, a new body wash, I desperately need it. What you put on your body will eventually make its way into your body. So it matters what products you use. A deeper review of the shampoo and conditioner will be posted after I've been using it for a while.