What's In Your Personal Care Products?

By Angela Collins
Independent Consultant and Guest Blogger



(Angela Collins helps me and many others understand that what we put on our bodies is as important as what we digest; topical products need to be understood. Angel recently spoke to the cancer society in her area and the following is a summary of her speech. Thanks Angela! )


Our health is something we often take for granted until, of course, we lose it.

What's In Your Personal Care Products?

Living your best life is not just about your mind & spirit but also about taking care of body. Our health is something we often take for granted until, of course, we lose it. We know we need to watch what we eat and exercise regularly to stay healthy. What a lot of people do not spend much time thinking about is the products they are using on this body of theirs that can also have a significant impact on their health. Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it reaches your internal organs and systems in less than 30 seconds! The average person uses 12 personal care products in the run of a day which on average contain 80 chemicals! What we don’t know can hurt us. Being aware of what ingredients to avoid as well as those with the greatest benefits is important to our overall health and well being in leading our best life. Here are some very common ingredients that you may want to consider avoiding in the products you use:


• Mineral oil (also known as petroleum, petrolatum, paraffin) ~ Mineral Oil’s molecular structure is too large to instantly be absorbed by the skin, so instead it forms a film on the skin’s surface. This film blocks your pores and interferes with your body’s natural respiration as well as the secretion of toxins. Mineral oil also blocks the absorption of any beneficial nutrients in your product and actually leaches vitamins, nutrients, and water from your skin causing you to show signs of aging.

• Paraben ~ These are widely used as preservatives in personal care products and have been linked to cancer. Though studies are inconclusive at this point, parabens are best avoided to be on the safe side. The greatest potential risk comes from “leave-on” products such as moisturizers that remain on the skin vs. those that are being rinsed away such as shampoo.

• Animal by-products (also known as Tallow) ~ Did you know that the most prestigious cosmetic companies in this country purchase ingredients from Rendering Plants? These are collection centers for animal carcasses, such as road kill, diseased farm animals, euthanized cats and dogs, and old restaurant grease. They boil the dead animals; mix the residue with the restaurant grease and get a rendered greasy by-product that cosmetic companies use for lipstick and eye make-up, as well as facial creams and soaps.

• Artificial fragrance ~ Currently there is no legal requirement to fully disclose all ingredients that make up fragrance and companies are permitted to use the blanket term “parfum” which disguises a cocktail of harmful chemicals. There are great products available that smell great from the botanicals, herbs & plants they use rather than using something synthetic.

The marketplace is full of healthier alternatives that provide great results without the health risks. Sometimes there is a difference in cost, but it really is one of those situations where you get what you pay for…a higher quality product with benefits that will help you look and feel your best!


For more information please contact Angela.


Angela Collins
Independent Consultant
Arbonne International
www.fortheloveof.myarbonne.ca