Mindfulness is a big topic these days.
Practicing mindfulness is the act of creating space for stillness – to think, to breathe and space to be between ourselves and our reactions.
Mindfulness in regards to what we put in our body – the foods we ingest – is the number one component we can control when it comes to our health.
However, let’s think about what we put on our body… on our skin.
Consider the effects, intentional or accidental, that may occur from the many substances that come in contact with your skin.
Just about everything that contacts our skin has a physical effect, either positive or negative.
Our skin in our largest organ and our greatest protector.
As wonderful as our skin is at protecting us, harsh and harmful organisms can still find their way in.
In my opinion, what we put on our skin is as important as what we put in our body.
Dermal absorption is the transport of a chemical from the outer surface of the skin both into the skin and into the body. Studies show that absorption of chemicals through the skin can occur without it being noticed, and in some cases, may represent the most significant exposure pathway.
Center for disease control and Prevention (CDC)
1. Between skin cells
2. Through skin cells cell-to-cell permeation
3. Through the hair follicles
Consider for a moment the products that are intentionally applied to your skin…
Lotions, oils, serums, sunscreens, cosmetics, essential oils, cleansers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, cologne, perfume, etc.
Your favorite body moisturizer may give you dewy skin and make you smell like a chai latte, however its artificial fragrance may also create skin sensitivities and endocrine disruption.
Now, consider the ingredients that unintentionally come in contact with your skin…
Nail polish remover, dish detergents, cleaning supplies, gasoline, bleach, laundry detergents, furniture polish, paint, toxic gardening chemicals.
An endless list. And sadly, it’s sometimes difficult to avoid coming into contact with some offenders.
That said, I’m a believer in practicing prevention and making safe, healthy choices whenever possible.
With the rise of “natural” and “clean” skin care, we’ve also seen an increase in “green washing”.
Green washing is falsely and knowingly labeling a product organic or natural when it contains harmful ingredients. This strategy is used to trick consumers, so be mindful and check the ingredient list to be sure.
Choosing to purchase and use safe and healthy products takes additional diligence on the part of the consumer. If this is something that speaks to you, I have provided a list of ingredients to avoid.
This is a lot of information. As a licensed esthetician, my advice would be the following:
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of using organic skin care products, I encourage you to explore Éminence Organics website. The link below offers full descriptions of each and every product and allows you to purchase products and have them ship directly to your door.
© pamela sander 2022, skin & soul holistic wellness