Did you follow the rage that was created few months ago when a group of scientists discovered living bacteria inside a bottle of hairspray? This is probably the best ever example behind the reasons why cosmetic products should be preserved properly. If you’ve done your biology classes rightly while in school, you’ll be aware of the fact that microbes can easily grow anywhere and these are nothing but those tiny organisms which have the power to make something distasteful and even lead to some disease.
You, being a cosmetic chemist, you’re supposed to formulate these in a perfect manner so that you could keep the microorganisms at bay. How will you do that? Well, probably you will add preservatives to the formulas. Are you sure you know everything on preservatives and how they work? Are you sure you know about all the restricted ingredients which you shouldn’t use in skin care products?
Skin is a part of your overall health – Take care by educating yourself
The 2 main reasons why you may require preservatives are to keep the microbes from damaging the skin care products and to prevent them from causing a disease. Mold, bacteria and yeast are the most common example of microbes which can infect those formulas. If you don’t want these microbes to cause harm to your skin and then to your overall health, you need to be aware of their names and characteristics. Read on.
- Parabens
Parabens are the preservatives which are most commonly used. Generally, they’re supplied in the form of powders and at times it can get tough to imbibe them within a system due to the fact that it is not totally soluble in water. They work against a wide range of fungi and bacteria. However, they stand as non-effective against several other microbes due to its pH limitations.
- Quats
Quats or quaternary compounds are those which comprise of nitrogen and which have a charge that’s positive while they’re placed within a solution. There are many such quats which show their ability to kill several microbes. Nevertheless, they’re much less compatible due to their cationic nature with anionic surfactants.
- Formaldehyde donors
This is yet another common preservative and they are compounds which interfere with proteins that kill microbes. They are extremely effective when it comes to fighting against fungi, bacteria and mold. Safety concerns and bad press caused the cosmetic chemists to put a halt to using formaldehyde. Most often, formaldehydes are used in surfactant systems.
- Alcohol
Ethanol is always one of the best preservatives but due to its extreme use in several things, it is usually subject to too many restrictions. There are few other compounds like dichlorobenzyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol which have an anti-microbial impact. The compounds are not as effective as the others when it comes to using them as preservatives.
Should you make the switch to organic skin care products?
Organic skin care products like Weleda baby and other products for adults are everywhere these days. While you can find them at the drugstore, you will also get them at the farmer’s market. When you choose organic, you can be sure that the product that you either eat or use doesn’t contain any chemicals which could lead to a serious health threat. Are the organic products as useful and effective as their non-organic ones? Definitely, they are! Here are few reasons to shift to organic products for your health.
- They’re safe
It is needless to mention the fact that organic products are considered as safe due to the fact that they don’t include any toxic chemicals. Such products are prepared with plant-based, organic products and they’re gentle to the skin, thereby giving you a peace of mind.
- Human skin absorbs 60% of what is applied
When you know this that your skin absorbs almost 60% of what you apply on your body, would you take the risk of exposing it to toxic ingredients? This is the right time when you should transform the chemistry of beauty and make the shift to organic ingredients as you can at least be sure about what you put on your skin.
- They eliminate red marks and offer a natural glow
There are several skin care products which contain the filler ingredients which have no such considerable value for your skin. Like for example, artificial fragrances to add to the smell is something that’s useless. Your skin might have a nice smell but what’s the use in including phthalates which can lead to allergic reactions?
- Gives you a happy skin
We can’t deny the fact that organic cosmetics are pure and skincare will make sure they don’t lead to harm to your skin. People who have the most sensitive skin will choose organic skin care products as they’re more prone to irritation and red marks on their skin. They are usually caused by harmful chemicals and hence you should keep your skin at bay.
- They’re totally natural
If you’re always experimenting with skin care products, make sure you avert using petroleum by-products that include paraffin and mineral oils. These products have the ability to make a skin care product seem more appealing. However, they’re more likely to comprise of carcinogens which can bar the ability of the skin to eliminate toxins and waste. On the contrary, organic products use essential oils and emulsifiers rather than synthetic ones. They usually hydrate your skin and make it shine.
- You contribute to a beautiful planet
Not only will organic skin care products be good for your health but they will also contribute to a cleaner environment. The farming of organic products is kinder to wildlife and this means there will be reduced pollution due to pesticides.
Therefore, if you don’t want to harm your health by applying the contaminated skin care products, it is always better to use the organic ones to get the above mentioned benefits.