Clean Beauty: Do You Know What’s in Your Products?

It’s one thing to know what you’re putting in your body in the kitchen. Organic produce that you wash thoroughly, filtered water, and meat from sustainable, trusted sources is all easy enough to come by. But what are you putting into your body… through your skin? 

The Importance of Clean Beauty

The largest organ of the body, our skin is susceptible to absorbing all kinds of toxins, which are unfortunately common in beauty and skincare products today. 

Carefully researching and choosing products that are clean (aka free of toxins and dangerous chemicals) is an important step in designing a healthy, successful beauty routine. 

Check for Chemicals

Unfortunately, there’s chemicals in most products today. From makeup to lotions and perfumes, common chemicals used in the beauty industry today include formaldehyde (a carcinogen), mercury, and others. Many ingredients found in fragrances can also irritate respiratory systems and trigger asthma attacks or sinus conditions.

Let’s look at an example: Oxybenzone, a common chemical in many over-the-counter sunscreens, is not only toxic to human organs, it can also throw off your hormone balance. If you enjoy responsible or sustainable shopping, it may be worth noting that it’s also harmful to marine life, which can be affected if your adventures take you beyond the pool.

Learning all about these ingredients and weighing the risks can feel overwhelming. But there is an alternative… While chemical sunscreens and other beauty products absorb UV rays and remain in the bloodstream, mineral formulas sit on the surface of the skin and act as a shield that reflects UV rays. Try a mineral formula out to see if it’s right for you!

Trending in Clean Beauty: The Power of Zinc

Zinc is becoming more and more popular in the skincare industry. Another great solution for absorbing UV rays when outside or near windows, Zinc Oxide is a naturally-occurring, naturally-reflective mineral that acts as broad spectrum protection for your skin. 

For most skin types, Dr. Lucas recommends Zinc Oxide formulas whenever possible. But you can also find over-the-counter, all natural options for Zinc supplements if you prefer. What do you have to lose besides inflammation, redness, and itchy, dry skin?

For more information on rejuvenating services for your skin that complement your clean beauty routine, check out our aesthetics services!