We’ve done
blogs about toxic skincare before. We know What goes on goes in, but did you know that 60% goes in? that’s a crazy number. What if that number applies to toxic ingredients in the 1st product you ever put on your baby’s skin?
*before refining petroleum jelly contains many carcinogenic ingredients. Petroleum contains 1,4 dioxane, a known carcinogen, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are created when products like coal, oil, gas, and refuse are burned but the burning process is not complete. While Vaseline claims to be refined there is no testing as to how much of PAH is removed. These trace contaminants in petroleum-based ingredients often readily penetrate the skin and provides the effects similar to
the best hyaluronic acid serums to hydrate your skin. Petroleum cannot be metabolised and is therefore stored in the body accumulating over time; There is strong evidence that mineral oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of the human body, according to this
PubMed paper:
- The occlusive nature of petroleum and mineral oil could also create a warm, moist environment for yeast and fungus to grow
- petroleum is a xenoestrogen; a major hormone disruptor
- the European Union has banned petrolatum in beauty products and listed it as a carcinogen
- according to my friend, a dermatologist in Malaysia, as far as I understand, it’s water-repellent and not water-soluble, meaning it merely provides a barrier so that moisture does not leave the skin (assuming here that the skin already has enough moisture; what if you start with dehydrated/dry skin?). So while you might feel the instant gratification of a softened surface, you’re actually drying out your pores by keeping out air and moisture. You’re also blocking IN bacteria and other residue
- beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter seal in moisture and don't come with some of the risks of petroleum jelly
- Research at the Herb Research Foundation noted that skin absorbs up to 60 percent (!) of the chemicals in products that it contacts and these chemical move directly into the bloodstream
- As with many carcinogens such as nicotine, environmental pollution and chemical additives, ingestion and absorption of these products can increase free radicals that can cause the skin and organs to age at a rapid rate or wear prematurely
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