Did you know that some chemicals and ingredients found in standard sunscreens, skin care and cosmetic products can cause harm to our bodies and the environment? With potentially harmful chemicals involved in simple beauty routines, it’s no wonder people are looking to more natural ingredients – meaning ingredients that are found in nature, without external interference or manipulation, like chemicals. Products made with natural ingredients are gentle on your body, your skin and the world around you. Who doesn’t want that?
Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients that will not only help keep your skin beautiful and healthy but are gentle on the environment, too!
Mineral-based sunscreens – Mineral sunscreens are your best line of defense against sun damage, premature aging and skin cancer – and they are environmentally friendly! Mineral-based sunscreens use ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These physical, rather than chemical, sunscreens are not absorbed by the skin and instead act like a mirror reflecting the sun’s rays. They are not only better for your health but also don’t cause harm to the environment they come in contact with, unlike chemical sunscreens.
A common chemical ingredient used in most major sunscreen brands is oxybenzone, also known as Benzophenone-3. This is an active chemical that absorbs UVA and UVB rays, therefore protecting the skin from the sun. While this ingredient does a very effective job at protecting your skin, it has a negative impact on the world’s coral reefs. Reports have shown that sunscreens containing oxybenzone have been contributing to the bleaching and deterioration of coral reefs. Hawaii recently passed a law prohibiting certain ingredients to protect coral reefs, and now all products have to be coral reef safe. In fact, Trilogy Laboratories is working on a private label line of sunscreen that is safe for the environment, and coral reefs, for a client in Hawaii.
Jojoba beads – Exfoliation is the key to healthy, soft, glowing skin. One of the most popular types of exfoliants is jojoba beads, which are produced from jojoba oil. Jojoba beads are often mistaken for microbeads. The two products look and feel very similar but are vastly different. Jojoba oil is a liquid wax derived from the jojoba shrub. The wax is processed to a solid wax, which is referred to as a jojoba ester. These jojoba esters are spherical in shape, biodegradable and come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. They’re a perfect natural exfoliant added to body and facial scrubs!
Microbeads, unlike natural jojoba beads, are not biodegradable as they are made from plastic. After the microbeads are used in beauty products, they are washed down the drain to wastewater treatment plants which are not able to filter the tiny plastic beads. Eventually, these microbeads find their way into streams, rivers and the ocean and are being consumed by animals – which is harmful to the animals’ digestive tracts and can migrate to other body tissue. Likewise, those who eat the seafood are unable to digest the microbeads as well. With so many natural exfoliant options out there, there is no need to use plastic microbeads. In fact, Trilogy Laboratories Citrus Scrub uses biodegradable jojoba beads and bamboo particles as exfoliators, so you continue to get the benefits of our scrub with the peace of mind knowing that the environment is safe.
Raw honey – Let’s get straight to the point, honey is the crème de le crème of natural skincare ingredients, and one that should be integrated into any skin care regimen. Raw honey is one of the best natural sources of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and skin-boosting acids. Not to mention, its natural antioxidants offer numerous health benefits, like fighting off free radicals to help prevent cell damage. Our Honey and Kaolin Clay Mask is a wonderful moisturizing and soothing mask made from all-natural ingredients and is great for those with sensitive, dry, or mature skin. This honey mask will not only restore hydration but it also restores balance to your skin by drawing out toxins with Kaolin Clay. This mask is a great example of an all-natural ingredients product that not only has incredible benefits for your skin, but is also environmentally friendly!
Aloe Vera – Most of us associate aloe vera benefits with healing sunburns, but aloe contains bacteria-fighting soothing ingredients that fight inflammation, redness and itching. Not to mention, aloe vera contains a plethora of antioxidants including, beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and E that can help improve the skin’s natural firmness and keep the skin hydrated. Aloe vera produces two substances, both of which are used in the medical and pharmaceutical world: gel and latex. Aloe in cosmetic use is often derived from aloe gel, the inner part of the aloe leaf due to its moisturizing, healing, skin-soothing and rejuvenating properties. Aloe in its liquid or gel form is water-soluble and works well as an addition or base ingredient to facial toners, mists or spritzers. It also makes a nice addition to lotions and creams by adding in the water-phase in place of water as an ingredient. Trilogy Laboratories understands the incredible benefits of this natural ingredient which is why we include it in many of our formulations including our Repair Gel, sunscreens, and masks. We recently formulated a Cucumber Aloe Mask in our skin care line and are working on an Aloe and Green Tea Gentle Cleansing Gel. These products works wonders for those with sensitive skin who want to reap the benefits of all-natural anti-aging products.
When it comes to keeping your skin healthy, there’s nothing better than natural, clean, skin care products and it’s a win-win when they are safe for the environment, too!
Posted in Professional Skin Care
