Why Using Natural Skincare Is The Best Route For Healthy Skin

The benefits of natural skincare

Almost 60% of what we use on our skin gets absorbed into the body. So bear in mind that when you use beauty and skin care products that contain harmful, artificial ingredients, they will interfere with the body's natural detoxification process and the immune system. They can also cause skin-related issues. In some cases, these chemicals can get stored in the body for months or even years before they are eliminated completely. 

That's not the end of the story though. Any skin care product that you use will eventually end up in soil and waterways, and consequently can have a huge and detrimental effect on the environment.

Even though some plant-based ingredients can trigger unwanted or allergic reactions in some people, natural ingredients are considered a much safer alternative. 

What should I look for?

What you should be looking for in your skin care products are botanical ingredients that have been minimally processed, which means their therapeutic properties remain intact. They will be highly effective in promoting healthy skin and are more eco-friendly.

Be careful of skincare and Bodycare marketing

If a skincare product or cosmetic is marketed successfully, it is easy to focus on what is being promised (such as fewer wrinkles), rather than how natural the ingredients are or indeed whether the product will actually fulfil its promises. There is research to show that ingredients such as parabens (preservatives), foaming agents (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate), artificial fragrances and petrolatum are linked to various health concerns, skin irritation and ironically, skin aging. And not forgetting perfumes – artificial fragrances have been linked to headaches, fatigue, allergies, asthma and insomnia.

At Oleo Bodycare, none of these potentially harmful ingredients are used. The fragrance of all our products is derived from the use of 100% pure therapeutic essential oils.

It is an alarming thought that, on average, women in Britain are apparently ‘hosting’ 515 cosmetic chemicals a day! Although the skincare industry argues that their ingredients are safe, this does not take into account that most women (and men) do not use a single product in one day, they use a number of them, and it is this cocktail of chemicals which is of greatest concern. If you consider how many products you use each day – shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, hair products, not to mention make-up and perfume, it really can add up to quite a combination.

In a year, on average, you could be absorbing 5lbs worth of potentially toxic chemicals from your personal care products. The skin is our fourth organ of detoxification after the bowels, kidneys and liver and it also needs to be allowed to do its job as a protective barrier.

It surely makes sense to avoid skin products which can combine to create a cocktail of toxic chemicals and to minimise the amount of potentially harmful ingredients we put into our bodies.