We see the words "chemical free" used liberally to insinuate a more "natural" and therefore healthier skin care product for the consumer. If it's chemical free it must be good for us, and superior to other products, right? How many times at the cosmetic counter have you heard the phrase, "this cream (or serum) is chemical free?"
Here's the catch...everything we touch, breathe, taste and absolutely every ingredient in your favourite skin care is made up of chemicals.
Found in nature, or synthesized in a lab, the real issue is whether the chemical compound is SAFE (or not) and creates a positive difference in some way to our skin or bodies. There are countless chemicals used in skin care today that are lab created, and are excellent at addressing signs of aging. In the same instance there are countless chemicals found in nature that are also capable of the same. On the other hand, there are chemicals that are lab created, and chemicals that are naturally found, that are harmful to our skin and our health.
The real key, is drawing from the extensive menu of ingredients (both natural and lab created), and selecting those compounds that have been shown safe for skin health.
Chemicals we want to avoid:
- Phthalates, (chemicals that mimic hormones, endocrine disruptors) this includes perfumes
- Petrochemicals (derived from oil), Petrolatum
- Synthetic Dyes (believed to be cancer-causing agents)
- Useless fillers...natural source or synthetic (they're not really doing anything but diluting the active ingredients)
- Skin irritants (fragrant essential oils + sulfates are a couple of main causes)
- Parabens
- Alcohol (cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, "the fatty alcohols" are ok)
So, the only truly chemical free product? Even an open empty jar has oxygen and hydrogen (both chemical compounds) inside. Remember, chemicals are everywhere, and in everything, and if the main selling point is "chemical free" maybe a chemist somewhere needs to brush up on the periodic table.