It seems that most cosmetic and food companies have caught onto the raw organic consumer fad so how can you weed out the real thing from the imitators trying to make a quick buck? You might have noticed some tricky wording in food and body care packaging lately like “natural”(meaning nothing, “natural” is not certified by the FDA),”vegetarian”(so is nail polish remover) and my personal favorite “chemical free” (HELLO! water is a chemical!)
With clever wording and actual ingredients being some of the last things listed on packaging it’s easy to believe that what you’re getting may be more pure than it actually is. Let’s cover some of the hot button ingredients, how they work, and why some companies choose not to include them;
Sulfates – Sulfate free seems to be all the rage lately especially in hair care. Sulfates are foaming agents that give you that luxurious lather we all love in anything from shampoo to bubble bath and detergent. Unfortunately some can also strip skin and hair, of essential lipids and hair color.
The Bad Guys: Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLS). These guys have been shown in studies to penetrate through the skin into tissues of the liver and brain. The verdict is still out on how harmful these ingredients can be but there are natural alternatives to use such as willow bark and yucca.
Preservatives and Parabens: Preservative has become a dirty word in the food and personal care industry in the last decade however, when formulated properly, preservatives are what keep food and products fresh and bacteria free. Parabens have been shown in studies to be found in cancerous tissue and while we’re still not sure if it is linked to causing cancer it is often the case that the human body deposits synthetics in places like vital organs since it cannot process them as easily and organic molecules.
Not all preservatives are synthetic- Tocopherol is a common preservative which is simply vitamin E, Glycerin which is derived from vegetable or animal fat is also a very effective preservative found in many organic formulations. Methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben are the controversial ingredients to look for if you’d like to stay on the side of caution, although the FDA believes that in low levels they are safe to use.
S.P.F. Mineral vs Chemical- Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate are some popular chemical sunscreens that interact with skin cells that work by absorbing the sun’s rays. Some chemical filters can scatter sun rays, but still mostly just absorb them. Chemical sunscreen often mimic estrogen, and have larger global impact as well. Some sensitive skin types can be sensitive to chemical S.P.F.s but that of course depends on the user.
Mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, these mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and deflect sun rays like a shield on the skin. Remember the the white nose block surfers used to wear- mineral sunscreens have come a long way since then now they are refined, often tinted like a light foundation and are available in most mineral powders.
Ultimately we don’t fully understand the impact of these synthetic ingredients on our bodies and the environment, we encourage you to get out and do your own research and empower yourself by reading ingredient listings and identifying these questionable items so you can make your own decision. Indigo offers a range of products including our newest organic, cold pressed, raw line called Ilike (pronounced ee/lee/ka). Remember your skin is your body’s largest organ and absorbs everything you put on it, don’t you think your worth the research?
February 1st, 2012
