Hallo Zusammen!
Hope you are having a great self care weekend. Getting ready for this new week!
Today I want to discuss the great Skin Care Industry. Yearly making over 52 billion dollars… and expected to grow 2-3% annually… Not necessarily in growing products, but instead in the ingredients inside of traditional brands like Loreal and Estee Lauder.
IBIS Reports wrote, “The growth of social media and e-commerce has enabled many individual professionals to seek industry services to develop their personal brands. Celebrities and influencers often leverage their social media followings to sell their products and build their brands. California-based manufacturer, Seed Beauty, works with many of these individuals to grow their brands and offers more speed than other manufacturers, enabling brands to adapt to changing consumer preferences and set trends. Well-known brands such as Kylie Jenner’s company, Kylie Cosmetics, and ColourPop Cosmetics have worked with Seed Beauty to create eye-catching products that are popular to display on social media. These brands are also more focused on using social media collaborations, direct-to-consumer sales and e-commerce compared with larger industry operators that cannot manufacture new products as fluidly or as rapidly. A large reason for the speed at which some industry operators can manufacture is due to the vertical integration of the manufacturing and business processes, enabling companies to quickly identify consumer preferences and translate those preferences into new products.”
As you have probably seen, we are going through big shifts in the skin care industry this 2019. We are also quite influenced by celebrities. Who are you following on Instagram? Are they certified in cosmetics and dermatology? Where are you getting your information from?
This is a quite interesting topic, because many of us read an article and quickly make a judgment.. This is why I like Youtubers like, Abbey Sharp which go into depth about different celebrity diets… Sharp looks into their nutritional break down, and if they are balanced… Some of you may be surprised!
Not only do we have the internet giving us a high dosage of information, but also our culture… Depending on where you live… food, cleaning, and self care traditions may differ… Now that I have been living in Germany for almost a half year now, it’s quite interesting to see the comparison between Germany, Chile, and the United States. If you are interested in hearing my perspective on this write a comment below… Maybe I can write a post further on this.
In the United States, there has been a huge growth in natural ingredient, vegan, animal cruelty free skin care products… and something I find truly interesting… the Services of skin care... No longer is there just the traditional Facial, Massage, Manicure Pedicure… Now we have Microdermabrasion sessions, Thai Massages, Acupuncture, Flotation Baths, and so much more… Companies like FaceGym in New York aren’t only creating their own products, but they are showing a whole new perspective on facial care. Ever thought you needed a face workout? Now you have one. Another great example I have seen is Herbivore, creating all products with natural oils, while also being waste conscious.
Skin Care is the new Self care, and our community has a great opportunity here.
Let’s continue getting further into the basics…
What are you putting on your skin, ingesting, inhaling?
Do you know what you are surrounding yourself wiTh?
If you have ever taken the time to look at the particles we need to avoid, you would realize the majority of the hair and skin products in your cabinets are bad for you.. Want to know why? They are not Natural. Products have become so complex tp the point that we can’t recognize our own products anymore.
“Better Ingredients, Better Pizza... It’s not a slogan. It’s a way of life.”
HOME CLeaning
Do you remember the days when people used to clean their floors with vinegar? Or clean ovens with simple ingredients like baking soda? When did we shift to ingredients that harm our environment… and ourselves? Do you realize you are paying absurd amounts of money yearly for products that you can buy in bulk for a maximum of $25 dollars annually?
Wellness Mama made a great list which I highly recommend saving and printing somewhere in your home,
Natural Cleaning Ingredients
Switching to homemade DIY cleaners might sound like a lot more work, but it’s actually quite simple. The ingredients are easy to come by and last a long time.
The natural cleaning ingredients I always keep on hand are:
white vinegar
liquid castile soap or Sal Suds
borax
washing soda
hydrogen peroxide
lemons
essential oils (optional)
a spray bottle or two (preferably glass – I get mine here)
Easy Natural Cleaning Recipes for Beginners
Here are a few easy and inexpensive natural cleaning recipes to get started around the house:
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner – Four ingredients and thirty seconds to mix it up is all it takes! Customize the scent with essential oils.
Glass Cleaner – No need for that bright blue, highly scented stuff … vinegar + water cuts through dirt and leaves glass streak-free.
Tile Grout Cleaner – Mix 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda mixed into a paste. Apply to grout and let sit, scrub with toothbrush, remove with sponge.
Cookware – Use sea salt or coarse salt mixed with a little lemon juice and scrub. Also, try baking soda and water made into a paste. This also works well on stained tea cups or coffee mugs, and even the cutting board.
Fabric Softener – Mix 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water together. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup to the final rinse cycle.
Toilet Cleaner – Use undiluted white vinegar, pour around the top of the toilet bowl, scrub until clean.
Wood Dusting Spray – Banish dust and nourish wood at the same time.
What could be easier?! If you want to read further, click here.
SKIN & Hair
How is your hair looking right now? Is it healthy, thick, and shiny? How about your skin? Clear of breakouts? Are you still figuring out why you are having those random blackheads on your forehead? I’m not a pro, but I can definitely say, the majority of it is coming from the foundation… What is your environment?
Some questions I think could be great for reflection,
What soaps are you using? What towels are you using? How is the quality of the water where you live?
What pillow are you sleeping on? Are you getting enough rest? How often do you wash your sheets?
What are you using to clean your sink, showers, floors? Do you walk barefoot at home?
What makeup are you using? Have you seen the ingredients in the back? Can you pronounce them?
THE FAMOUS A WORD
Alcohol can benefit some of us looking for killing acne causing bacteria, or degreasing the skin, but research also shows that using these products may in the end cause more irritation and dryness, which in turn will create a harder battle in the long term. “The irony of using alcohol-based treatments is that the damage they cause leads to an increase of acne-causing bacteria, and makes inflammation worse, the consequence of which are red marks that stay around for much longer than they would otherwise. For those with oily skin, alcohol can stimulate oil production at the base of the pore, so the immediate de-greasing effect is eventually counteracted by oily skin producing even more oil!” - Paula’s Choice
This research demonstrates the connection between free-radical damage to skin cells and alcohol exposure. Interestingly, this is exceptionally similar to the free-radical damage that results from excessive consumption of alcohol in the short and long term.
Companies are now pushing to be different.. Too survive and grow in this new generation they are needing to be based in natural ingredients and contain plant-based food-grade cold-pressed oils, steam distilled therapeutic-grade essential oils, GMO free soy wax, recyclable and reusable packaging, many certified organic ingredients.
Here is a list of chemical ingredients you might find in your products (Shampoos, Washes, Night Creams, Serums, Leave-in’s, Shaving Creams), thanks to Dr. Robert Dorin:
Ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate. Look for a shampoo that does not contain these ingredients, as they are harsh detergents.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), another harsh detergent, is the agent in many shampoos that causes that foaming lather we often see in hair commercials.
What you don’t know is that exposing your hair to this chemical actually destroys it in the long run, stripping it of essential oils it needs to stay healthy, breaking down protein and halting healthy hair growth. Products containing SLS have a cleaning power that is overwhelming, stripping the hair.
Sodium Chloride. Better known as table salt, sodium chloride is used as a thickener in shampoos and conditioners containing sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium chloride may also cause dry and itchy scalp in addition to hair loss. Also, this should be avoided in people who have keratin treatments, as it undoes the benefit faster.
Polyethelyne Glycol. Also called PEG/Polyethelyne or Polyoxyethelyne, this ingredient is included in shampoos as a thickening agent. It strips hair and skin of their natural moisture.
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA). Products containing DEA or TEA can cause scalp irritation and bad allergic reactions, and they also destroy all the good stuff in your hair (such as keratin), making your hair dry, brittle, and lifeless.
Parabens. Used to prolong shelf life of an average hair-care product, parabens like methylparaben and propylparaben are chemicals that are known for their toxic nature. Parabens not only irritate the skin—which can make your scalp unhealthy—they can also affect your hormonal balance, which can result in hair loss.
Formaldehyde. Excessive exposure to formaldehyde, which is found in some shampoos, may cause some hair loss.
Alcohol. Almost all hair-care products contain some form of alcohol, which can dry your hair out if it is in high concentrations. Stay clear of shampoos with alcohol listed as one of the first four ingredients, as this means that there is more [than usual] in the product.
Synthetic Fragrance or Parfum. This usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. Some 3,000 chemicals are used in just one fragrance. Many fragrances are irritants and can cause the scalp to become irritated.
Synthetic Colors. Artificial colors are used widely in hair-care products for aesthetic purposes. These ingredients frequently appear as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number. Color pigments may cause skin sensitivity along with scalp irritation.
Propylene Glycol. Also known as the antifreeze you put in your car, propylene glycol is a common ingredient in shampoos and other personal care products to keep the product from freezing during shipping and storage. It can irritate skin, causing allergic reactions, and it alters skin structure.
Lanolin, Petroleum, and Mineral Oil. These ingredients are widely used in greases and pomades formulated for ethnic hair and offer no real moisturizing benefits. These ingredients actually weigh the hair down and prevent the natural oils produced by the scalp from being absorbed by the hair shaft.
Dimethicone. Dimethicone is a synthetic polymer and a form of silicone with two methyl groups attached (hence the name Di-methicone). It is usually used as a surface sealant in skin and hair products to coat surfaces in order to seal in moisture and act as a smoothing, texturizing additive.
WHAT DO I GET TO LOOK FOR?
Coconut Oil: If you’re looking for an ingredient that guarantees strength, shine and helps lock in moisture, stock up on coconut oil.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is one of the core ingredients of organic hair care. It promotes growth, strength, and is known to help treat scalp problems. Mix a bit of aloe vera with your shampoo or conditioner for an extra boost of organic moisture.
Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is another essential that helps provide your hair with natural shine. It’s also a great moisturizer, and it is known to improve scalp health.
Chamomile Extract – This one promotes overall hair health, and is great for sealing in color, plus keeping hair soft.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
There was a great article written by Britta Aragon where she goes over a number of chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives… they can act like hormones in our body, throwing our own natural hormone function out of whack. Here are just a few:
Bisphenol-A (BPA), found in plastics and in the lining of canned goods.
Triclosan, found in antibacterial soaps and other products.
Parabens, popular preservatives used in personal care products.
Phthalates, plasticizers found in hair spray, nail polish, plastic food containers, and vinyl.
Sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh cleanser found in many personal care products.
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), like Teflon, Gore-Tex (I’m a sailor, so this one is complex… Read this article to learn more about , and other stain-resistant products.
Dioxin, a byproduct formed during the manufacturing process of many personal care products.
Fire retardants, found in foam furniture (like couches), carpet padding, and house dust.
Arsenic, a toxin lurking in some food and drinking water.
Mercury, a toxic metal found in some fish.
Pesticides, used widely in farming as well as in home gardens and lawns.
Questions to Reflect:
Are you looking at where you get your produce? Are you washing them correctly?
What are you using for food storage or even body care products? Glass? Plastic?
What else can you do in your daily life? Are there any other areas you may need to look into?
These are just a few things that I am learning and observing, and maybe they can support you as well. That’s what I am here for.
Hope you liked my post! If you did, please give it a Thumbs Up! Or a comment below! If you have any questions, send me an email, would love to support you in your journey to growing your self care, and sustainability.
References
Dr. Dorin, https://www.theepochtimes.com/shampoo-ingredients-you-want-to-avoid_616834.html
