WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN?
Let me take you on a little journey, you may consider it something similar to what Ebenezer Scrooge went through in that famous Christmas Carol we all love. Except this journey is not scary at all and you can stay in your warm comfy room having a cuppa and nibbling on some chocolate chip cookies if you like. But wait, I'm getting carried away now. Long story short, let me introduce you to your very own skin loving monsters of the past, present and future!
Monster of the Past
Skin care and cosmetics have been around for a very long time, with the first archaeological evidence dating as far back as 6000 years ago in Ancient Egypt. From skin decoration to warding off bad spirits or enemies of the more physical kind to showing off status and attracting the most eligible bachelors in town, there seems to be no limit to what we are prepared to go through in the name of beauty.
It didn't start off too bad with Ancient Egyptians using semiprecious stones and crushed henna leaves mixed with water or oil for skin decoration. Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt is still widely known for her rejuvenating milk and honey baths. Taking a look at history though, you'll find a number of beauty measurements and treatments that are very questionable. Alright, hold tight because it does get a bit scary now.
The Ancient Greeks used to bathe in crocodile excrement to stay beautiful.Rich citizens in the Roman Empire imported Portuguese urine to help whiten their teeth.Queen Elisabeth's subjects would use a mixture of quicklime, lead, sulphur and water to imitate their queens flaming red hair.In the Middle Ages women would show off their status by covering their faces in lead, which, no surprise, often lead to death by lead poisoning.And back to the Egypt of Cleopatra where women used a mixture of iron oxide (rust), red clay, ionide, seaweed, henna and bromine mannite to colour their lips red. Most of these ingredients are actually pretty nice (red clay, seaweed, henna). Bromine mannite on the other hand is extremely poisonous and could kill both the wearer and whomever she chose to kiss.Monster of the Present
Thought that was scary and completely nuts? Then check out some of the most common beauty secrets of this day!
Risky plastic surgery in the pursuit of living up to the image of skinny photo edited models. Note that some of these beautiful models hardly recognize themselves after all the post editing has been done.
Implants and injections. In 2011 the most famous victim was former Miss Argentina Solange Magnano, 38. The mother of 2 died after a legal operation believed to have involved buttock implants and injections.
Fake tanning (the application of chemicals to the skin to produce an effect similar in appearance to a suntan.
Skin bleaching (the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to lighten skin tone)
Starvation diets, again trying to look like a photoshopped poster.
Flouride in toothpaste and tap water - used to increase our dental health but is actually poisonous and can cause flourosis (mottling and discolouration of teeth enamel) in infants. Fluoride is more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic. Fluorides occasionally cause skin eruptions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, or urticaria.
Get softer younger looking skin with the following chemicals - Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Parabens (found in almost EVERY skin and hair product made today. Highly toxic and cause allergic/skin reactions.); Propylene Glycol (a petroleum by-product and synthetic ingredient used as a humectant. Also used as an INDUSTRIAL ANTI-FREEZE to de-ice airplanes. Known to cause many allergic reactions.); DMDM Hydrantoin (a petro-chemical used as an ANTI-FREEZE in cars.); Sodium Laurel Sulfate (a highly toxic synthetic substance with foaming abilities which can cause urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections, genital disorders, eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions.)... to mention but a few.
Monster of the Future
Luckily no one can force anyone to use any of these measurements or ingredients. While the monsters of the past and presence are here to teach us a little lesson, the monster of the future has a big kind heart that wants to lead us to a happier self and a healthy beautiful outlook on ourselves without any crazy farfetched ideals to live up to. The monster of the future is really more of an angel. So love yourself, love your skin, and cut the crap.
Selma Karlsdottir is the founder of Body Foods, a natural skin care company based in the UK. To read more secrets revealed on skin care and the things they never tell you, visit her website http://body-foods.co.uk/ or go to the official Facebook page http://facebook.com/BodyFoodsCosmetics
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