There’s been tons of hype in recent years about what toxic ingredients your skin care products are made of. Are you aware that the ingredients in your skin care products may not be safe?
Many of us have never stopped to consider the ingredients in our cosmetic products and how they might be affecting our appearance and our overall health. The good news is you can know exactly what goes into your products!
When I was working on the Vitamin D series, I was reminded that the website The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together a site called Skin Deep. They provide a searchable Cosmetic Safety Database that I recommend everyone using skin care products dive into.
At Skin Deep, the EWG reviews thousands of brand name and generic beauty products and divides them into the following categories: Makeup, Skin, Hair, Eyes, Nails, Babies, Oral Care, Sun Protection, etc. The products are rated on a scale of 0-10, 0 being the lowest hazard and 10 being the highest hazard.
Do a little experiment for me. Go into your bathroom, grab the three products you use most, and search for them on the Skin Deep database. Find out if your products have been reviewed and, if so, where they rate on the safety scale.
If you have never before taken the time to consider what your beauty products are made of, or if it’s been a while, I encourage you to browse through the pages at Skin Deep and be inspired to do some more research. It may also inspire you to begin making your own skin care products at home.
Why should you spend time making your own skin care products?
1. Making your own skin care products at home will provide you with safer, more personalized products.
Every one has different needs and you know best exactly what your skin issues are. You might be dealing with early signs of aging, have dry or sensitive skin or even combination skin. Natural ingredients, as close to their raw form as possible, are always better than their chemically manufactured counterparts. By making your own, you get healthy, customized products that meet your own personal needs.
2. DIY skin care products are thrifty.
I’ve read that the average American family spends around $2,000 a year on their skin care and hygiene items. These same products, when homemade, require fewer ingredients and often last longer than the store bought brands.
3. Homemade skin care products make great gifts.
My most cherished gifts are those that were made by the giver. Homemade gifts tend to be more personal and more appreciated for the thought, time, and effort put into their creation. My girls love to make and give homemade beauty and skin care products and their friends are always super impressed!
4. Homemade skin care products don’t put harmful toxins into the body.
According to the EWG, only a small percent of cosmetic ingredients sold in stores have been tested for safety by the cosmetic industry. Are you really going to trust the profit-driven cosmetic industry to use only ingredients that are good for your long-term health?
