Skin Care Products and Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, in part to our exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals. Skin care products may include toxins and therefore, there may be a link between skin care products and autoimmune diseases.

Skin Care Products and Autoimmune Diseases

Some substances applied to the skin can be absorbed into the body, depending on the substance, the concentration, the condition of the skin, and other factors. For many of us, these environmental chemicals can cause dysfunction in our bodies, particularly to the immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system; It’s important to note that some substances applied to the skin can be absorbed into the body, depending on the substance, the concentration, the condition of the skin, and other factors. For many of us, these environmental chemicals can cause dysfunction in our bodies, particularly to the immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system; and have been associated with a variety of health concerns, such as autoimmune diseases. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and through its pores, it will absorb some of what you put on it, including what's in your skincare products. So, if your skincare products aren't natural, you may be absorbing potentially harmful ingredients. So, if your skin care products aren't natural, you may be absorbing toxins. According to Dr. Izabela Wentz, women, in particular, are at a higher risk of exposure, because we use approximately 12 personal care and cosmetic products each day compared to men who use about half that amount.

What to do?

There's no need to panic and throw everything out. Go through your home, read product labels, and replace toxic products with natural products. However, be sure to read labels thoroughly; just because a product is labelled “natural” doesn’t mean the ingredients aren’t harmful to you. Ingredients to avoid include phthalates, triclosan, parabens, triclocarban, retinyl palmitate, retinol, PEG, ceteareth, polyethylene, DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde, formalin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and oxybenzone. For information on skin care products and the safety of their ingredients, visit the Environmental Working Group's website. I've used this site and found it to be very helpful in deciding whether to purchase a product. I also make a lot of my own skin care products, which you could also do. But if you don't wish to make your own, visit my shop.

Assorted homemade skincare products

But whether you have a chronic condition or not, be mindful of what you put on your skin. Harmful chemicals may be absorbed into your skin and then into the bloodstream, which can cause dysfunction in your body.

References:

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-sacrificing-your-health-for-external-beauty/

Crinnion WJ, Environmental medicine, part one: the human burden of environmental toxins and their common health effects. Alternative Medicine Review : a Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, February 2000, 5(1):52-63.

"Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: agents of subtle change?" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566206/pdf/envhper00523-0087.pdf.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/