CARING FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin is a common problem throughout Australia & the World. There are many possible causes, ranging from shaving stress to medications and allergies to the effects of wind, heat and cold. Chemicals commonly added to various products, from cleansers to cosmetics, can also irritate and damage delicate skin tissue.
If you suffer with it or other skin conditions, such as acne or psoriasis, you know all too well how these symptoms affect your everyday life:
Redness
Inflammation
Dryness
Itching and/or Tingling
Irritation
As they say, the best defence is a good offence. Natural Secrets takes this idea to heart by designing our products to be kind to sensitive skin and provide gentle, effective relief, using only the finest ingredients Nature can produce.
CHEMICAL CULPRITS
A major contributor of sensitive skin is the use of chemical culprits that are present in everyday products. These chemicals have been associated with allergic reactions and general skin irritations. The following is a list of the most common and how they interfere with the well-being of your skin:
SENSITIVE SKIN & SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS)
The chemical name for SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. The milder version of SLS is called Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which includes an ether chain added to SLS. It is commonly added to mass market cleaning and personal care products because it is very inexpensive and provides the illusion of luxury by creating a thicker product with more foaming action.
Among the type of products containing SLS are:
Soaps and shampoos
Detergents
Toothpastes
Floor cleaners
Degreasers
Car wash products
There has been a prolific response against the use of SLS in recent years. It is widely considered to be the most harmful ingredient contained in personal care products today. Studies have shown the negative effects of SLS and have concluded that it would most likely dry out the skin and irritate a number of sensitive skin conditions.
SENSITIVE SKIN & PETROCHEMICALS
Petrochemicals are chemical products made from the raw materials of petroleum or other hydrocarbons. The two main classes of petrochemical raw materials are olefins (including ethylene and propylene) and aromatics (including benzene and xylene isomers), both of which are produced in very large quantities throughout the world.
Some common petrochemicals that are often used as ingredients in beauty and skincare products are:
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, which is often used to add scent or colour to products
Isopropyl alcohol, a colourless chemical often used in solvents. It’s a common ingredient in nail varnish remover
Propylene glycol is widely used as a moisturiser in skincare and cosmetic products. It increases the body’s acidity and can cause allergic reactions, especially in those with sensitive and problem skin conditions
Benzene is now a known carcinogenic but was frequently used in fragrance and aftershave in the early twentieth century. It has been widely boycotted by the beauty industry
Phenol has antiseptic qualities and is also used in cosmetic surgery as an extreme exfoliant to remove layers of dead skin. It is also used in phenolization, a surgical procedure which is used to treat ingrown nails by preventing the regrowth of the nail.
Acetone is the key ingredient in most nail varnish removers. It can be toxic just from skin absorption, but generally only in high amounts.
For a wonderful soft, gentle and moisturising experience try Natural Secrets Goats Milk products which are free from SLS, Petrochemicals & other harsh chemicals.
