Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:27 am by vairclair1
Potentially Harmful Ingredients Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:27 am
Golden Girl
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Potentially Harmful Ingredients
It is not easy to come up with a balanced, objective view on potential toxicity of skin care ingredients. Mainstream skin care companies usually assert that whatever ingredients they use are safe. On the other hand, alternative all-natural skin care outfits profess gloom and doom from synthetic ingredients. The majority of independent studies of the subject focus on acute toxicity of high doses/concentrations rather than a chronic low-level damage from long-term use of small amounts (a situation far more common in real life). Below we discuss some considerations regarding potential harm from skin care ingredients as well as a some possible offenders.Systemic Toxicity
In regard to a topically applied ingredient, systemic toxicity means that it gets into the bloodstream, travels throughout the body and causes damage in organs other than the skin. It does not appear that any of the common over-the-counter skin care products produce systemic toxicity. However, some topical prescriptions drugs, such as hormonal creams, may have systemic toxicity - check with the prescribing physician.
Natural vs. Synthetic
Proponents of all-natural skin care believe that any natural substance is more effective that its synthetic analog, and that all synthetic chemicals are toxic. The reality is more complex than that. According to modern science, biological effects of a particular chemical are the same whether it is isolated from natural sources or synthesized in the lab. In theory, that is always true. In reality, depending on whether a substance was derived from natural source or synthesized it may contain different contaminants. Generally, harmful contaminants are more likely in synthetic chemicals, but they do sometimes occur in natural substances as well. In that light, using only natural ingredients reduces but does not eliminate the risk of toxic contaminants -- the integrity and quality standards of the manufacturer are equally important. Also, keep in mind that all-natural products tend to degrade and spoil more easily. Some synthetic substances have no natural analogs or cannot be isolated from natural sources. These agents are a mixed blessing. Some may have harmful effects on the skin, while others may have positive effects that are far stronger than those of natural agents.
The bottom line is that one should decide between natural and synthetic on a case-by-case basis. For example, natural vitamin E is more effective since is contains only the more effective D form, while the synthetic one is a mixture of D and L. On the other hand, a well known anti-wrinkle agent tretinoin (in Retin A, Renova) is available only in synthetic form, so if you stick to natural formulas, you forego the option of using it.
Low Level Skin Damage
Few, if any, common OTC skin care products contain ingredients that cause immediately obvious skin damage (except in particularly sensitive people). However, the situation is far less clear with low grade irritation, dehydration and other mild damage that may accelerate skin aging in the long run. Unfortunately, many skin care ingredients have not been studies in that context. Therefore, the total effect of a skin care product often is a balance between the benefits from active ingredients and potential low level damage from preservatives, stabilizers, surfactants, synthetic fragrances and other inactives. Sometimes it is impossible to say whether the net effect is worth it. There are two complimentary strategies to deal with this dilemma. First, learn more about the ingredients, both active and inactive -- the more you know the better chance you have to pick an overall beneficial product. Second, you can relatively easily make your skin care yourself (see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]). You may not get the complete control over all ingredients but should be able to eliminate synthetic colors, fragrances, and reduce the need for preservatives and stabilizers. [/size]
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Last edited by Golden Girl on Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:33 am; edited 2 times in total
