Everyone has their own routines when they jump into the shower. The products you use, the order you do things in, and even the temperatures you prefer, are all pretty personal to you.
But the thing is, sometimes your routine may actually not be the best thing for you. There are certain things that we all have been doing that are actually harmful to our skin than we realized.
Even things like your trusty body wash might not actually be the best thing for you, depending on your needs.
A lot of people swear by body wash, claiming that bar soap just doesn't get them as clean, but there's a lot of different factors that go into it and it's not as simple as you may have thought.
It's hard to know what the right thing is to use and when, so here's what you need to know.
Which one gets the dirt off better?
If you come in after a long gardening session or from working out and you've got a lot of grime on you, should you be reaching for the bar of soap or the body wash? Well, apparently it doesn't matter which one you use because they both will get you clean.
It's not so much of which one is better, it's actually the ingredients inside that matter.
It matter what's in the soap or body wash, not the actual delivery method
If you buy higher quality bar soaps that contain all natural ingredients like Shea butter, essential oils, and coconut oil, you are going to have healthier skin than if you use a soap that is loaded with chemicals, artificial coloring, and preservatives. You have to pay attention to what is in the soap you buy. It is important to choose your soap based on its ingredients. Soaps with natural and clear ingredients are the way to go. One of the best natural ingredients in soap is goat milk. Soaps made with goat milk have moisturizing and smoothing effects and are gentle enough for your baby.
This goes for body wash as well. There are just as many chemicals and unnatural components that can be harmful to your skin. Whether it dries out your skin or causes a reaction is purely based on what's in it.
These are the ingredients you need to avoid:
1. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
The detergent and emulsifier is used in a lot of products, but it's classified as a "moderate hazard" because it can penetrate the skin easily and can cause irritation.
While it may be hard to avoid, it's something to consider when you go to purchase a soap or cleanser.
2. Dioxane
These products are a carcinogen, which basically means that they can be toxic to your brain and organs.
It's a synthetic derivative of coconut, but doesn't hold the same healthy properties as the real thing.
3. Parabens
Parabens actually mimic estrogen, so it can end up leading to extra fat storage and diminished muscle mass.
Parabens have been linked to many disorders recently, so the quicker you can step away from them the better.
4. Propylen Glycol
This product that is in many soaps and body washes is actually the same ingredient that is found in antifreeze, engine coolants, and adhesives, so it's no wonder that it's harming your skin.
It causes dermatitis, skin irritation, and can actually inhibit cell growth.
5. Diethanolamine or DEA
It's another known carcinogen, but for some reason we are still putting it on our bodies. It can cause your body to block out certain nutrients that are vital for your brain development.
6. Fragrance
I know it's nice to have all these scents to your body wash or soaps, but if they are synthetic, you are actually doing more harm than good.
Synthetic fragrances not only dry out your skin, but they have actually been linked to anemia and organ damage.
7. Triclosan
Antibacterial agents like this can actually be dangerous because there is a chance that your body will develop an antibiotic resistance. This means that instead of keeping you healthy like you thought it would, it makes you much more susceptible to germs.
Make sure you check your ingredients in your soap when you get home to see how much harm it is actually doing to your body.
There are actually a lot of things in your home that are making you sick, from your couch to your cooking utensils. Even some of the cleaning chemicals you are using might be harmful.
Source - Dr. Mercola / Well and Good
