Healthy Skin Care Series - What are Petroleums and Why Avoid them in Skin Care
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In this last segment in our our 4-part Healthy Skin Care Series, where we’ve been reviewing various chemicals in skin care products, today beYOUmag.com looks this week at petroleum and petroleum derivatives and their impact in your skin care products while investigating some healthy alternatives.
What is petroleum?
Petroleum jelly - as it’s referred to in cosmetic use - is a paraffin like substance made up of a mixture of semi-solid hydrocarbons. The raw material, a waxy, jelly-like substance was found on some of the first oil rigs in the United States. This substance gunked up the rigs, but was found to be rather healing to the skin for some. It’s entry into the cosmetic world came through the young chemist Robert Cheesebrough and his formulation of Vaseline ® Petroleum Jelly. There’s probably no American house without a jar of this somewhere; the premise that this jelly formed an occlusive barrier on the skin trapping water loss and promoting healing. Well naturalists don’t buy it.
Why avoid petroleum in skin care?
As reported by the Organic Consumers Association a recent study (March 2007) by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that petroleum-based cosmetics and skin care products contain the potentially cancer-causing chemical 1,4-Dioxane. Petroleum distillates rate high on EWG’s warning list and the distillates have been banned from the EU. This information is not to scare you, but keep you informed. The amount of petroleum distillates is scant, but is found in lipsticks, lip balms, waxy hair products (especially texturizing types.) Good news there are many great alternatives.
Petroleum and Petroleum Derivative Free Alternatives:
Now that I’ve suggested paraben-free, SLS-free, and propylene glycol-free products, there will be some repeats, but all the more reason to investigate them. When you start taking out one of these products, it only falls suit to take out the rest.
- For chemical free hair and body products, again I vote for John Masters, Dr. Hauschka and Pangea Organics.
- For non-waxy sunscreens, Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique are leaders.
- For inexpensive, every day shower gel/liquid soap and according to the company - you could clean your whole house with it - Dr. Bronner’s is a long-time favorite. They have also expanded their personal care line, so check out their site.
- Finally, makeup tends to be the leading culprit, especially lip color, for added petroleates. Ladies, try Jane Iredale’s mineral based makeup line. Classified as the leader in mineral based makeup.
I look forward to bringing you more write-ups on healthy, natural products as they hit the market. Stay tuned, keep reading, beYOU.
Written by: Michelle Barge
