So, what's the problem? Well, initially, after applying mineral oil, you will notice your skin feeling silky smooth. But, what you're not seeing is what's happening beneath your skin.
The oil lies on top of the skin as an impermeable layer, causing it to sweat (which is one way your
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body releases toxins) beneath the oily layer. That is preventing your skin's normal respiration process
by not allowing your skin to release carbon dioxide or take in oxygen. Imagine a bowl of water. You pour some oil into it and the oil just sits on top of the water. That is exactly what its doing to your skin. This only causes further drying of your skin and inevitably causes a breakdown in its normal function. You can potentially create a dependency, as the natural oils in the skin fail to work correctly. Long term use can cause dermatitis, irritate acne and lead to a nasty rash. Sick, right? As if that weren't bad enough, mineral oil is also used as a laxative (which if overused can cause a deficiency in calcium and vitamins A, D E and F..no big deal), as a METALS preservative asmineral oil does not absorb atmospheric moisture, by fire breathers since is doesn't burn as a liquid so no "blow-back" (not gross; I just thought that was funny), and when making candy to give it the glossy look and to keep the candies from sticking together (let us not forget it's a laxative).
Here is the good news: there are tons of other options! However, to avoid the chemical side effects, you will have to read your labels very carefully. Here are some things to look for as an alternative to mineral oil next time you're looking for a new lotion.Humectants
Humectants are a key ingredient in moisturizers and lotions.While emollients provide moisture, humectants lock it in and protect the skin from external factors that might cause dryness (kind of livke a sealant) . They attract water from the dermis to the epidermis thus retaining the skin's natural moisture. Humectants can also attract moisture from the atmosphere (when humidity is 70% or greater) into the epidermis--as opposed to the mineral oil which does not absorb atmospheric moisture. They also increase flexibility of the skin causing less cracking, promote consistent shedding of the outer layer of the skin (28 day cycle..yep, ladies! Your skin is shedding that wonderful time of the month, too), and they even prevent outside chemicals from coming into contact with the dermis. Key words to look for when finding a natural humectant are lecithin, panthenol (pro vitamin B5), and glycerin.
Emollients
Emollient is essentially a fancy word for moisturizer. Natural emollients are those such as certified organic cold-pressed (crushed under low-heat conditions) ingredients from fresh fruits, seeds and nuts. These do not restrict the skin’s respiration in the same way as synthetic emollients and do not hold toxins in and keep oxygen out. Cold pressing preserves the phytonutrients in the oils, so they are better for you and the planet. There are many forms of natural emollients but here are a few to look out for: almond oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, olive oil, hazelnut oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, apricot kernel oil, argon oil, castor oil, pumpkin seed oil and natural waxes such as unrefined beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter.
Surfactants
Surfactants, or "surface-acting ingredients," have active agents that are able to dissolve oils and suspend dirt so it can be washed away with water without stripping your natural oils. These are most often found in skin cleanser, body washes and shampoos. Natural surfactants are made from plant-derived oils. Some synthetic surfactants have been shown to release carcinogenic (cancer! scary!) toxins into the skin . Castile soap, yucca extract, soapwort and quillaja bark extract are all forms of naturally derived surfactants. Emulsifiers
Mineral oil is also used while making candy, which involves giving it the glossy effect and preventing pieces from sticking together.sdasd
Mineral oil is also used while making candy, which involves giving it the glossy effect and preventing pieces from sticking together.
Mineral oil is also used while making candy, which involves giving it the glossy effect and preventing pieces from sticking together.
Mineral oil is also used while making candy, which involves giving it the glossy effect and preventing pieces from sticking together.
Emulsifiers are, simply put, what keeps everything together. They allow the water and oil-soluble substances to combine as intended. Emulsifiers hold all the other pieces together and blend them into a working arrangement. Sometimes you will find emulsifiers in a waxy form, but they are most often recognized by the "shake well before use!" directions on the bottle. The physical action of shaking all of the ingredients is activating the emulsifier. These are naturally obtained from various forms of nuts, berries, and leaves. Looks for candeilla, carnauba, jojoba (notice that this has made a few of the categories--many natural substances can perform different roles) rice bran, xanthan gum and quince seed.
Preservatives
OK, so preservatives are pretty self-explanatory. Preservatives have acquired a pretty awful rep within the past few years, but since many natural preservatives can help to preserve your product without contaminating your skin with harmful chemicals, I'm going to say they aren't all bad. In the cosmetic world, preservatives are used because many products have such a high water content that they are suitable for microbial growth. Producers of cosmetics use preservatives as a retardant to bacterial and fungal contamination (thank God). While many synthetic options have been shown to release formaldehyde (used when embalming dead people to preserve their bodies for viewing..) into the skin, natural preservatives prevent your product from deteriorating and going rancid but without harming you. Opt for products that contain natural preservatives like tea tree essential oil, thyme essential oil, grapefruit seed extract, bitter orange extract, and honeysuckle flower extract.Hope this helps next time you're out and about searching for a new favorite beauty buy!
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