Now we all know that parabens are hormone disruptors. They provide

imbalances in our hormones. We don't know what they're called. In order

for us to look for them on packaging, you need to be looking at

names such as read labels, be cautious of

products with long, unrecognizable chemical names,

choose or research brands that are committed to transparency and

avoid harmful ingredients. Synthetic fragrances can

contain undisclosed chemicals that may cause allergies

and respiratory issues. They're also linked to... Welcome to

The Holistic Skin Guru, where what's on the surface is just

as important as what's underneath. I'm your host, Aamena. Let's

dive deep into the world of holistic skincare. Hi

guys, and welcome back to another episode of the Holistic Skin

Guru. And today we're going to be talking about clean beauty. Now

you've heard me speak about parabens and sulfates in

another episode. I think it was episode number five, and

I'm going to just glaze over them for today, but I'm going

to go in depth into other toxic ingredients that

you really need to be looking out for. that are so crucial

to your overall health. Now we all know that parabens are hormone

disruptors and they provide imbalances in

our hormones, but we don't know what

they're called. So in order for us to look for them

on packaging, you need to be looking at names such as

methylparaben, or propylparaben and

these are being associated with endocrine disruption. They

mimic estrogen in the body and potentially disrupt hormonal balance

and this can lead to reproductive issues and it has been linked

to breast cancer. So what are the alternatives? What

are you looking for on the labels? You want to look for paraben

free and you want to opt for natural preservatives like

tocopherol or which is also vitamin E, rosemary

extract or grapefruit seed extract. These

are the ones that you should be looking for instead. Now, sulfates, sometimes

called SLS or SLES, their

harmful effects can strip the natural oils, leading

to dryness and irritation. We spoke about this in episode five.

They are usually called sodium lauryl sulfate, SLS.

or sodium lauryl sulfate, S-L-E-S, and

they're known for their ability to strip the natural oils from the

skin, causing dryness and irritation. They can

also be harsh on the eyes, and they are linked to skin

sensitivities. They're mainly found in products that need a

foaming action, such as cleansers, body

washes, household cleaning products, as well as toothpaste.

Now, what are your alternatives? To choose sulfate-free cleansers using

milder surfactants like cocoa glucoside or

diesel glucoside. So those are the two things that you should be

looking for, or just look for sulfate-free on packaging. So

phthalates are another harmful product,

and they are linked to reproductive issues and endocrine

disruption as well. Phthalates are commonly found

in fragrances and are linked to endocrine disruption. Again,

just like parabens, they potentially impact your reproductive health.

They may also contribute to allergies and respiratory issues. And

the things that we need to be looking is for phthalate free or

opt for natural fragrances or essential oils.

This brings me to the fourth ingredient, which is synthetic fragrances.

Synthetic fragrances can contain undisclosed chemicals

that may cause allergies and respiratory issues. They're

also linked to skin sensitivity. So, you know, apart from

your other fragrances, these fragrances are also going to do

that. And we want to be looking for products that have natural

fragrances, essential oils, or just opt for

fragrance-free because they're better. The fifth ingredient is

formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents.

Now, these are harmful because they are known carcinogen

and they can cause skin irritation. Formaldehyde releases

agents like DMDM, hydantoin, slowly

releases formaldehyde over time. These can be found

in skincare, makeup, even fabrics and

in furniture and clothing. That's why it's important to

have plants in your house, which are air purifiers. They

actually dispose of these harmful chemicals that

are found in the air and that we're breathing in. So

look for products that are formaldehyde free and

choose natural preservatives like benzyl alcohol or

potassium sorbate. The

sixth one on the list is mineral oil or petroleum jelly.

Good old Vaseline. Vaseline or mineral oil or

petroleum jelly, whatever you wanna call it, can clog your pores.

And I know people use it for slugging reasons and

that's a whole other topic, but it can lead to

acne and it can potentially trap impurities in the skin surface.

So what are the alternatives? You can use plant-based oils like

jojoba, coconut oil, make sure it's

organic coconut oil, or argan oils that

have similar moisturizing effects. Synthetic colors are

also harmful, and they may contain coal tar

derivatives that are linked to cancers. They can also

cause skin irritations and sensitivities. So

choose products with natural colorants derived from

fruits, vegetables, and or minerals. The

eighth harmful ingredient is oxybenzone, which

is found in chemical sunscreens. Now, these chemical

sunscreens are linked to coral reef damage and may

disrupt hormones in our bodies. Now, we

spoke about this on a previous episode when I talked about sunscreens,

but you need to be aware that when you wear these chemical

sunscreens and you go into the ocean, they do wash off and

they will damage our reef. So be mindful of

that. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc

oxide or titanium dioxide. Titanium

dioxide is also found in certain makeups and that's why

they will have some kind of SPF factor in a foundation

because of that ingredient. Triclosan is another ingredient

that's linked to antibiotic resistance and endocrine disruption.

So another harmful ingredient to our

hormones. and prolonged use may lead to skin

sensitivities as well. So choose one that

has antibacterial properties with safer or

alternatives like tea tree oil or collodial silver.

The 10th ingredient on our list is talc. Now talc can

be contaminated with asbestos, which is a known carcinogen, and

inhalation of talc particles has been associated to respiratory

issues. So what are your alternatives for talc? They

are cornstarch, rice starch, or in

products like powders and deodorants. So

look for these talc-free alternatives that

are much better for you. Now here are some tips for identifying harmful

ingredients. Read labels, become familiar

with ingredient lists, and be cautious of products with

long, unrecognizable chemical names.

You can Google them and check to see what they are,

but choose or research brands that are committed to

transparency and avoid harmful ingredients. Don't

just rely on the marketing gimmick. on

the packaging actually read the ingredients. And

usually ingredients are listed as per

the quantity, so the largest quantity in

that product will be the first ingredient on

the list. So start educating yourself and stay informed about

commonly used harmful ingredients and their potential effects. And

by being vigilant about the ingredients list and opting for

cleaner alternatives, you can make more informed choices for

your skincare routine and that will promote both skin

health and overall well-being. If you've liked the

information in this podcast and you'd like to know more or if you have any

questions, please leave a comment below and don't forget

to subscribe and follow us and we'll see you on the next podcast.