acne solutions

Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics

Your skin is living tissue, it absorbs up to 60% of what is ever put on it. And in turn, that goes into your blood stream. So that raises concerns about long term effects because of the chemicals in make-up. Many of the chemicals used are known to cause irritation, severe acne and cancer. Why? Well, they are based on petroleum or are synthetically made. These are the ingredients to avoid in cosmetics.

Propylene glycol: Moisture carrying agent used in cosmetics, an “industrial anti-freeze” that prevents things from drying out, normally used in brake and hydraulic fluid, paint, floor wax. Found in deodorants, suntan lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, skin creams, and other cosmetics. It can cause dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities, can inhibit cell growth in human tests and can damage membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. Avoid it and instead choose alternative products containing glycerin or sorbitol.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: found in moisturizers, toners, cleansers, masks, and age-spot removers. It is said that it can exfoliates the dead skin cells and remove wrinkles. But they can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun by as much as 50 percent, leaving you exposed to accelerated skin aging and the possibility of skin cancer. AHAs are best used at a concentration that is less than 10 percent.

Formaldehyde is found in soaps, skin creams, bubble bath, nail polish, shampoos, and perfume. Its potentially irritating preservative can be absorbed into the skin and cause allergic reactions, headaches, even asthma. Read labels carefully. The following ingredients contain formaldehyde: 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1.3-diol, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium 15

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate: detergent derived from coconut oil. Industrial uses of SLS include garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps. Found in bubble baths, toothpastes, shampoos and lotions. This detergent can enter the brain, heart and liver, impair the immune system, corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair, can cause eye irritations, skin rashes and allergic reactions. When it is mixed with other chemicals, like those typically used in toiletries, it can form carcinogenic compounds. Minimize the risks by using products with SLS sparingly and rinsing off quickly afterwards.

Talc: dry lubricant, found in makeup, blush, and body powders. Mineral talc has been linked to ovarian cancer and has been found to induce cancer in rodents. Liquid formulations containing talc are relatively safe. Avoid using talc-based powders, especially on genital areas.

Mineral Oil (Petrolatum, petroleum, MSDS): comes from crude oil (petroleum) used in industry as metal cutting fluid. Found in makeup removers, lipsticks, lotions. It may suffocate the skin by forming an oil film, draws moisture from inside the skin, and holds it on the surface for a better “feel”. It dries skin from the inside out, and has been linked to everything from clogged pores to cancer. Its density does not allow skin to breathe. Avoid it entirely

Alcohol: acts as a solvent. Found in astringents, facial cleansers, some toothpastes, and mouthwash. It can strips away natural protecting oils on skin (takes skin 24 hours to repair itself), and when ingested, may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens.

Collagen and Elastin: makes skin feel artificially smooth, found in creams and lotions. Collagen, elastin, or other proteins and amino acids cannot get into the skin through topical application, because the molecules are simply too large to penetrate your skin. Instead, it may suffocates the skin, trapping toxins and keeping out oxygen.

Although both rosemary and sage essential oils are great for acne, if you are epileptic, don’t use rosemary and if are pregnant, don’t use sage.

The list of harmful chemicals in cosmetics goes on and on. The solution is to choose natural make up. Choose carefully because some companies use a small amount of plant extracts but fill the rest of the make-up with petroleum based chemicals and then the fragrances. A good nature based make-up is one that gets the waxes from a natural plant base, the oils are from plants, barks and spices and that goes for the pigmentation. Who knows, maybe your cosmetics were the cause of your acne?

(* Summary about Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics by Christopher Stigson)

acne solution

Acne Solutions Guide

There are so many acne solution options for any skin condition you have. Acne solutions can be applied, ingested, injected or concocted. To give you a better idea of the choices available, take a look at this list.

Topical Acne Solutions

They can be in the form of creams, soaps, ointments or gels. There are those that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid or retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A). Some topical and oral retinoids are on prescription but retinol is available in over-the-counter products. But it should be used under supervision of a dermatologist as there may be significant side effects. Plus, you can’t use retinoids if you are pregnant or nursing. There are also products with glycolic acid, azelaic acid or sulfur. Be careful as these medications can cause skin-drying, redness, or itching. If you have very sensitive skin that reacts to them, you may like to try tea tree oil as an alternative.

Oral Medications

They usually come in the form of antibiotics (include erythromycin, tetracycline and oxytetracycline) and are recommended to cure inflammatory acne. Another type is oral contraceptives that contain progesteron or estrogen. These acne solutions are usually suggested when topical treatments do not work. This can cause digestive problems including diarrhea, and may also affect oral contraceptives. So make sure you discuss it first with your dermatologist.

Herbal and Natural Solutions

They range from lemons to garlic to papaya to oatmeal. More than likely, you’ll find the ingredients in your kitchen. There are also herbal solutions in the form of supplements contain herbs and plant extracts sold at stores. It is still important to seek expert advice to avoid any allergic reaction. Remember, these remedies might not always work and are used only for mild acne.

Advanced Procedures

They can range from surgical procedures, laser treatments, chemical peels or light treatment. These remedies are suggested to people with very severe conditions or to those suffering from acne scarring. It can be in the form of collagen injection, a procedure wherein collagen is injected on the affected area to flatten the surface of the skin. Laser is also one of the advanced techniques, wherein the follicle sac blocking the pores is burned away. The main concern, these procedures are expensive. A single procedure is usually not enough, maintenance and follow-ups are commonly recommended.

Facial wash, moisturizers, astringents and other skin care products

These products should be used to prevent acne from occurring or to avoid having it again once you’ve successfully gotten rid of it. Always keep your face hygiene by using soap or facial wash, moisturize to keep it soft, or use astringent to minimize the oil.

Many acne solutions are available for every type and every level of acne problem. But don’t make the decision on your own, consult it first with your dermatologist.

(*Summary about Acne Solutions Guide by Trevor Mullholland and Janet Ashby)