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How to choose the best skin-care products


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Today, there are beauty products everywhere, advertised in magazines or on TV. Want makes you pick one and not another? This month, I am going to talk about skin-care products which are friendly to both environment and your skin!

Are your skin-care products really safe?
Very few of you take notice of what your skin care products contain. The components of the products have been concealed as company secrets until recently. Only since spring 2001 have companies been obliged to display their secret components.

Current skin-care products contain many different chemicals, such as surface-active agent, tar, fragrant materials, mineral oils, preservatives, etc. The long-term use of these chemical substances may cause shitten cloud or Riehl and could even cause liver damage. Besides, a recent study revealed the controversial fact that some skin care products contain EDs (Endocrine Disruptors).

What is a difference between"Natural"and"Addictive-free"?
You can find many cosmetics labeled"Natural"or"Addictive-free". Both may sound safe, but actually there is a big difference between them."Addictive-free"just means the product doesn't contain the 102 chemicals certified by the Japanese government. Whereas"Natural products"don't contain any of these 102 chemicals, surface-active agent, tar, nor any fragrant materials. They have to be made of only natural and traditional components which have been verified as safe. There may be small possibility of an allergic reaction to the natural products, but it is much smaller than using a product full of chemicals.

The hazardous chemicals which your skin-care products may contain
The following list of chemical substances is considered to be harmful to your health. If you find any of these on the packaging, you should avoid buying them.
Oil based materials: paraffin, benzinalchol, lanolin. These can cause rashes and skin irritation.
Synthesis surfactant: triethanolamine, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, lauryl sulpate, rhodine. These can destroy skin structure, allow other chemical substances into our body and possibly cause liver damage.

Preservative and bactericide: benzoic acid, edetate, cetyltrimethy lammonium, oxybenzine, sorbic acid, triclosan, paraben. These can be EDs.
Antioxidant: dibutyl hydroxytoluene, butyl hydroxyanisole. These are dangerous and suspected as carcinogen.
Coloring: synthetic color. A possible cause of cancer. Azoic color is a suspected cause of Riehl.
Fragrant materials: synthetic perfume. This causes allergic responses. Aldehydes have mutagenicity.

Choosing the best skin care products
  • For basic skin care

    Naturally your skin produces its own moisturizer from sebum and sweat. Skin care products should not disturb this process. Avoid facial wash that contains synthesis surfactant, which wipe off all sebum of your skin, and choose traditional soaps. Make lather with the soap and wash your face gently. Then, if you feel dry, apply mild acidic facial lotion with no synthesis surfactant. For facial cream or oil, choose the one made of vegetable oil, which has similar composition to sebum. Compared to your normal products these may feel uncomfortable at first, but you must give your health top priority. I wouldn't recommend emulsion either, as most contain synthesis surfactant, but if you want to use it, choose one with a natural surfactant or separated oil and water (shake the bottle to mix each time you apply). However,excessive care will make your skin become lazy and stop producing its own moisturizer. So, for night care, leave your skin as it is after you wash your face. Extra care is needed only when your skin goes dry. But above all, washing is the most effective way to keep your skin healthy and in good condition. Also remember that a balanced diet is important for healthy skin.

  • For make-up

    One thing you should bear in mind when choosing make up products, such as foundations, blushers and eye shadows, is that break-proof products contain synthesis surfactant and therefore should be avoided. Choosing breakable products could be incommodious, but safe. You should also avoid products that contain tar, you can check the outer packaging to see if it is contained. This is especially true for lipsticks, which are licked and taken into your body without noticing. If your lips are very sensitive, it is a good idea to apply lip balm before lipstick. Most make-up products made of natural materials can be washed off by soap. When you wear heavy make-up, massage your face with vegetable oil and wash with soap.

    Not to jeopardize your safety, you should choose skin-care products verified as safe and must not to be influenced by images or catchy phrases and adverts. Shops where you can buy natural skin-care products are still very few. We, the consumers, should move to build a bigger market for natural skin care products.

You can buy natural skin-care products on our Website

http://www.mother-earth.ne.jp/karada/keshohin.html (Only in Japanese)

Translation: Serina Nishioka (Ecology Symphony Mar 2002)

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