Take one look at any of the skincare and make up counters in any large department store and you will see a phenomenal array of beauty products to choose from. There is no doubt that women especially, and many men too, love their beauty products.

Anti-aging can come at a price

For many of us, using cosmetics, skincare and other beauty products is all about looking and feeling our best. For some of us, it is also about looking young and retaining a youthful appearance. However, what we don’t know is that many of these products are full of chemicals and toxins that can, despite the beauty company claims, age us in the long term. AND, they can also undermine our health!

Research shows up dangerous chemicals in common cosmetics, beauty and skincare products

Bionsen, a producer of natural deodorants, found in their research, that our most-loved cosmetics and beauty products are, in fact, cocktails of potentially dangerous synthetic and industrially produced chemicals and toxins that can undermine and harm your health long-term. In so doing, these same 'anti-aging' products can age you even faster than products without these ingredients. This research found that the average modern woman exposes herself to over 515 chemicals and toxins every single day, by simply going about her usual daily grooming and makeup rituals. That is an astounding amount of chemicals to expose yourself to, every day. However, that is not taking into account the range of other chemicals you are consistently exposed to from household cleaners, domestic laundry products, cooking utensils, and even many processed foods. It is simply staggering!

Chemicals linked to health problems

Many chemicals and toxins are now increasingly linked to serious health concerns such as skin irritations, hormonal disruptions, allergies, liver and kidney disease, respiratory problems, fertility issues and worse. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), for example, is a surfactant, detergent or foaming agent, used in many shampoos, toothpastes, facial cleansers, body washes and liquid hand soaps for its ability to create a soapy foaming feel. It is also used, however, in industrial cleaners for its powerful ability to strip oils from a surface. The Environmental Working Group's research has found that SLS can lead to:

• Skin irritations
• Irritation of the skin and eyes
• Respiratory issues
• Organ toxicity
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity
• Neurotoxicity, hormonal disruption, and biochemical or cellular changes
• Possible mutations and cancer

So what can you do?

The important thing is to empower yourself and make informed decisions. Switch to natural skincare and personal care products that are 100% natural.   While many commercial companies now include “aromatherapy”, essential oils, and plant extracts in their products, many of these ingredients are in such small dilutions and still mixed in with chemicals. 'Ask a Naturopath' at Mr Vitamins to recommend natural products for your skincare and feel and see the difference for  yourself!