It's a common problem we all have faced. We purchase a new product with high hopes, thinking that this will finally be the holy grail to our skincare routine. From acne to fine lines and wrinkles, thousands of products promise to give us healthy, youthful skin. But after trying product after product without results, have we ever stopped to wonder why exactly we aren't achieving the results we desire?
It's easy to read the front of a label and become wowed by the packaging or claims made on the bottle. When we turn the product around and read the ingredients list, even top shelf brands use questionable (and even harmful) ingredients. For instance, a beloved brand of moisturizer contains parabens, silicones, petroleum, and chemical sunscreens. Parabens are preservatives found in topical products, cosmetics, shoe polish, and glues. These preservatives don't just remain on the skin- they can soak into our bodies. A study of 19 women found that 20 of them had parabens in their breast tissue. This preservative encourages skin sensitivities through repeated exposure, increasing the immune response the skin provides when coming into contact with parabens.
Mineral oil is a common ingredient in both high end and drugstore cosmetics. We choose to forgo this ingredient due to the "plastic wrap effect" it has on our skin. Our skin is our body's largest organ, and it needs to breathe to be healthy. Mineral oil acts as a barrier to the outside, but it traps oil, dirt, and other toxins into our skin. This can clog our pores, and prohibit our skin's natural immunity from building up.
Artificial scents are common in personal care products, and while sensory experiences are a large part of the usage experience, even organic fragrances can irritate the skin. Fragrances are one of the leading causes of contact dermatitis, a condition that causes the skin to become red and irritated after contact with a product. Artificial fragrances can be made up of hundreds of ingredients that are NOT listed on the label, meaning that we have no idea what we are actually putting onto our skin and absorbing into our bodies. These fragrances contain linalool, a chemical that causes depression and lethargy. In addition to these side effects, phthalates in artificial fragrances can also disrupt hormonal cycles, leading to complications with pregnancy, early puberty, and decreased sperm counts in men. All of these side effects result in a product that is not only bad for us, but dangerous for our bodies natural rhythms.
Artificial fragrances have consequences outside of our own bodies as well- the precious honeybee is attracted to the sweet smells of artificial fragrances, and confuses bees as to what natural smells are. The use of artificial fragrances can lead the bees to pollinate fewer flowers, confused as to what their natural environment should smell like.
Many large skincare companies seek to grow profit above all else, achieving the lowest margins possible through using cheap ingredients or fillers. These are products commonly found in supermarkets or drugstores, and will have less potency in their active ingredients. On the other hand, shelling out hundreds of dollars for an eye cream may seem as though the price is worth it, but often these high end brands will raise the cost of their product to cover costs incurred by celebrity or influencer endorsements. Branding and advertising are all included in the cost of the bottle, and may not be more effective than drugstore products. Some luxury brands contain more fillers than additives, draining your wallet and worsening skin conditions.
It's a difficult time to be an ethical consumer. With so many brands crowding store shelves, promising on what they cannot deliver on, shopping for skincare can feel almost impossible. That's where we come in. At Sloane Marley, you won't find harmful ingredients such as parabens, mineral oil, or artificial fragrances. You won't find inflated prices or broken claims. What you will find in every bottle is fresh, down-to-earth skincare. Our skincare is alive, nourishing the skin with the power of nature and our carlingly fermented Vinoflora base. Trying to find a skincare system that works can be difficult and taxing on our wellbeing, which is why we make it easy to discover a skincare regimen that works for all types of skin, and can be shared within families or between partners. Here at Sloane Marley, we value the community we surround ourselves with, and all that healthy skin can bring us. It is our birthright to have healthy skin.
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