On Your Body/In Your Body

The skin is the largest organ in the body. The skin’s pores are the gateway for toxins and other substances to leave the body. They are also the gateway by which toxins can enter the body. Anything that is placed on the skin can end up in the body, which means that chemicals in skin care products can affect internal organs. In general, if something can’t be ingested, it shouldn’t be on the body.

Sunscreens are meant to prevent cancer, but the chemicals inside of sunscreen have been linked to numerous problems, such as cancer and reproductive issues. These chemicals are: avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, oxybenzone, octisalate and octocrylene. It is best to use a chemical free sunscreen to prevent skin cancer from the sun’s rays and from sunscreens that are filled with chemicals.

Because of an aluminum-based compound and other chemicals, some argue that antiperspirants cause breast cancer. It is precisely because antiperspirants block sweat that they prevent toxins from exiting the body. The lymph nodes become filled with these toxins and can cause breast cancer. It’s good to go without antiperspirant on the weekends, or use an alternative to avoid an antiperspirant altogether. There are natural stones made from mineral salts that assist with preventing odor, but they allow the body to still sweat.

Alcohol denat is an ingredient that is used in many personal products. Alcohol denat is basically the same alcohol that people drink. To discourage people from drinking these products, the alcohol is made to taste bitter. Alcohol denat is extremely drying to the skin. Since it can enter the body through the pores, the body can absorb the alcohol amongst the other chemicals found within these products.

There are a variety of natural products that are not only beneficial for the body, but they perform equally as well as products with chemicals in them. For instance, a combination of baking soda and coconut oil can be used in place of toothpaste. Coconut oil can be used in many ways: as a moisturizer, hair conditioner and makeup remover. Simple Internet searches will reveal safe natural alternatives to many store-bought products that are safe to use on the body and are equally as effective as their counterparts.