I try to express how important it is to read and become more conscious about the ingredients when it pertains to skincare. When you start understanding the ingredients, you'll start to realize and know how to combat potential skin problems if and when they occur.

Did you know that the U.S. FDA only bans or restricts around 11 chemicals compared to the 1,328 banned chemicals by the European Union? You would be even more worried if you learnt that many of these poorly regulated substances are associated and linked to all kinds of harmful side effects, including skin irritation, birth defects and even cancer.Source

If you didn't know our skin is the largest organ on the body, it literally absorbs everything we put onto it. So why not be more intentional with the products we consume?

These major corporations know the side effects of these ingredients so why do they continue to use them?

1. It's cheap. It's easy to convince consumers they are getting value for money by giving them more - The quantity over quality mindset is what these corporations are preying on! 

2. It's faster to produce. For companies looking to mass produce, there is no time for slow mother nature. Why wait for plants to grow naturally when you can create a artificial alternative in a lab and pump out a million bottles from the factory pipeline?

3. It adds volume. By using the bare minimum of effective ingredients it helps companies profit at your expense. Thickeners, gelling agents and foamers add weight and volume so you feel you are getting more for your money and you use and buy more to get the effects you are looking for.

4. It (almost) lasts forever. Companies don't like short shelf lives. That's why they often use preservatives so strong that you could use the same bottle 5 years later and not notice the difference. The trouble is, these artificial preservatives often counter any beneficial effects the products claim to have. 

5. It looks 'perfect'. We are used to seeing identical products with a uniform look and feel. But nature doesn't work that way. No two leaves are the same, the colors are influenced by the seasons, rains and natural variety of the plants. We aren't used to seeing products with natural bits inside, clouding, or anything that is 'unusual'. We are blinded by what the ads tell us things should look like, including ourselves.

6. Because they can. Poor regulations = no consequences.

When I finally understood how important the ingredients played into healing my eczema, I couldn't just go back to what I was doing before. That's when I started to create the products myself. All the products at Rose Gold Skin are chemical free, organic and plant-based. If the healthier alternative is out there why not go that route? Skincare can be costly, and your skins health matters more than their cheap expense.

So what are some ingredients to look out for?

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate– A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos, and soaps for its cleansing and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase "comes from coconuts." It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions.

Propylene Glycol- a cosmetic form of mineral oil, also found as an ingredient in anti-freeze. Ideally, this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. But usually, it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware-these are related synthetics.

Synthetic colors- are often used to artificially enhance the look of products and do not increase the effectiveness at all. Many colors banned in Europe are still allowed in the USA despite containing carcinogenic compounds. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it.

Petrolatum – Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness, clogged pores(blackheads) and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.

Synthetic Fragrances – The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are since on the label it will simply read "fragrance." Some problems caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation-the list goes on.

I could go on, but I'll save that for another time. Hopefully this gives a bit more insight on why starting the change into better skincare is better for you in the long run.