Sensory receptors including the ears, eyes, nose, tongue and skin help us to learn about the environment around us. The skin in particular has multiple functions. It is able to sense pressure, vibration, light touch, tickle, itch, temperature, pain, proprioception, awareness of movement (proprioception) and position of the body (kinesthesia).
Hence the skin is vital in how we perceive the world, how we experience life, how we feel…
Yet we use regularly use products on our skin that interferes with the way our skin sensors work. These are the 10 key things to avoid.
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Thick Heavy Products.
These products sit on the surface of the skin and can change the way the skin perceives the environment. These products can amplify some stimuli and dampen others. Organic Apoteke products use a Multiple Micro Emulsion Technology that ensure that products are light and easily absorbed. These products do not clog pores or sit on the surface. They dissolve into the skin.
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Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the skin – this also changes how the skin senses the environment and can result skin becoming more sensitive – multiple chemical sensitivities. All Organic Apoteke products are alcohol-free.
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Chemical and Acid Peels
Chemical peels are intended to remove the outermost layers of the skin. It does this by creating an injury to the skin. The body respond to this injury with wound healing processes and regenerates new tissues. The dead skin will eventually peel off. Revealing the regenerated skin. This regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Some types of chemical peels can be purchased and administered without a medical license. It is advised to seek professional help from a medical professional for this procedure. There are many different types of acid peels available. We will provide a blog explaining these soon.
However, be aware that all peels injure the skin. However, the deeper the peel, the greate the complication. Chemicals peels cause photosensitivity of lightsenstivity of the skin, redness and inflammation, changes in skin pigmentation, millia – tiny cysts, skin atrophy, and textural changes.Organic Apoteke does not use any chemical to peel the skin. Our products that are designed to gently remove dead skin cell achieve this by using fruit enzymes and buttermilk extracts.
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Abrasive Exfoliators
Exfoliation was enthusiastically encouraged with many believing that a good polishing can banish dullness, clean pores and reveal fresh, glowing skin in a matter of minutes. It’s a deeply satisfying ritual. However abrasive scrubs, sponges and facial brushes can obliterate everything — dead skin cells and also healthy oils and enzymes — leading to inflammation, redness, irritation and even “profound hyperpigmentation”. Exfoliation can lead to skin sensitivity as well. Organic Apoteke Buttermilk Cleanser exfoliates using a gently enzymatic action that only removes dead skin cells while nourishing the skin.
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Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are a procedure where a fine needle is used to ‘fill’ a wrinkle, line or skin depression with a product. The wrinkle-smoothing effects of most dermal fillers are temporary and regular treatments are needed to maintain the effect. There are different types of dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers disrupt sensation in areas of the skin injected. This can interfere with the way your muscle moves and you detect sensation. Hence fillers can change the way your skin senses the environment. Dermal fillers can also cause:
- Vascular occlusion – when filler is injected into or around an artery, blood flow may be reduced or stopped. Skin may look pale (blanched) and start to turn blue over a period of 24 hours. This is usually painful and if untreated, the skin may start to ‘die’ and turn black.
- Allergic reaction – if your body is sensitive to the synthethic substance injected.
- Long term use results in weakness of the muscles of the face, head and neck, which can have undesirable effects on swallowing, vocal cord function and eye movements (double vision).
- Inflammatory reactions – remember that you are entering a foreign substance into the body and it can irritate your immune system.
What to use instead of Dermal Fillers - a good moisturiser that encourages your skin to heal, hydrates your skin and prevents transepidermal water loss. Organic Apoteke Rejuvenating Face Cream is designed to hydrate, rebuild and improve function of the skin.
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Products containing Synthethic Colours
Synthetic colours are found not only in colour cosmetics but also skincare products. They are added to make a product look more appealing. Don’t just worry about hair dye, eye shadow, eye liner, and lipstick but all moisturisers or cleansers that have a very unusual colour. The harmful colourant do not just irritate skin and make it sensitive to environmental triggers – they are also carcinogenic.
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Products containing Synthethic Fragrances
Fragrances are found in just about every cosmetic and beauty product you will find and they can cause some significant health issues. One of the many issues with synthetic fragrance is that they cause allergic responses to those that are sensitive. Not only that, but the chemicals that are used in synthetic fragrance are scary. It is estimated that approximately 95% of the chemicals used in these fragrances come from crude oil. They also include carcinogenic chemicals and chemicals that are linked to causing disruptions in many different body systems. (2)
One of the tricky things about avoiding these synthetic fragrances is that they are often just labeled as “fragrance” on a product label. This doesn’t give you the whole story about how many of these added fragrances can cause endocrine disruption that could lead to hormonal imbalance and even lead to weight gain. The rule of thumb is to be very cautious with any product that says it contains “fragrance.” This could be the same name used for thousands of different chemical ingredients and you don’t even know which one is in the product. The chemicals in the synthetic fragrances have the ability to get into your bloodstream. They cause endocrine disruption, are carcinogenic and can cause nervous system disorders.
How do you avoid synthetic fragrances? Avoid anything that has a label containing the words “fragrance” or “parfum.” You will also want to avoid using any air fresheners including plug in air fresheners, dryer sheets, candles, and many cosmetic and self-care products like deodorant. Now, I know that is a long list of things to avoid but it doesn’t mean you can’t still safely wear makeup, or deodorant it just means that you need to be selective with the options that you choose. All Organic Apoteke products are free of synthetic fragrance. Organic Apoteke uses organic essential oils for their therapeutic benefits and these give our products a light fresh aroma.
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Sodium lauryl sulphate
Commonly referred to as SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate is found in most shampoos, face and body cleansers and washes. The scary thing is, that it is also the same chemical found in floor cleaners and even engine degreasers. SLS has been linked to endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation, and even cancer. The best way to avoid this chemical is to buy shampoos, body washes, hand soaps, and toothpaste brands that are “SLS free.” All Organic Apoteke products are SLS free.
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Parabens
Parabens are found in things like shampoos, conditioners, lotion, and even face cleaners. Since parabens are not water soluble they are able to penetrate the skin which is a major issue due to the dangers parabens have on the endocrine system.
Parabens are found under many different names so it can be challenging to determine if a product contains parabens or not. Some of the common names to look out for include butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, and methylparaben. Just avoid anything that has paraben at the end of it.
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Pthalates
Phthalates are another commonly added toxin in modern day cosmetic products. These are chemical compounds that are added to things like plastic as well as cosmetics and even find their way into some food products. A major problem with these toxins is that they can be absorbed in the body through both air and skin. When talking about cosmetics, you will want to avoid things like perfumes, moisturisers, eye shadows, nail polishes, shampoos, and conditioners that contain phthalates.