eminence organic skin care

How Healthy is Our Eminence Organic Skin Care Line of Products?

At Organic Elements Spa, we are extremely picky in selecting only the best products for your skin and your health.  You have likely heard our Eminence Organic Skin Care line is free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and propylene glycol—but what are these ingredients and why do so many over-the-counter products contain them?

Parabens

Parabens are chemicals frequently used as preservatives in cosmetic and body care products.  Just as many store-bought foods contain preservatives, parabens in cosmetics slow the growth of harmful bacteria and mold to increase the shelf life of the product.

Since their first use within cosmetics in the 1920’s, researchers learned that parabens could be harmful to our bodies.  Scientific studies concluded that parabens have resulted in skin irritation, harm to fertility and reproductive organs, and even cancer.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals found in many products from PVC plastic to detergents, lotions and hairsprays.  Essentially, phthalates can be thought of as chemical softeners. They are often used in cosmetics to create results such as making nail polish less brittle and to allow hairsprays to have a flexible hold.

While the FDA has not provided a conclusive report linking the use of cosmetics containing phthalates to health conditions, some independent researchers have detected correlations to conditions such as asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, and more.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfates

Often just referred to as “sulfates,” this ingredient is found in many soaps and shampoos.  Sodium lauryl sulfates create lather and bubbles.  If you wash your hair and you have hands full of rich, bubbly lather—that’s the sulfates doing their job.  Sulfates make you feel that the soap or shampoo is working hard at cleaning.

Sodium lauryl sulfates don’t just break down oil and dirt—it can also break down the protective layers of your skin.  Sulfates have been found to cause skin irritation.  People who are very sensitive to sodium lauryl sulfates may experience red, dry, scaly, itchy, or sore spots on their skin.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is synthetically produced by adding water to propylene oxide—an ingredient found in petroleum products (think Vaseline®.)  Petroleum-based salves work to create a waterproof layer on the skin that keeps underlying moisture in the skin.  Propylene glycol is used as a solvent, emollient, and preservative in cosmetics to attract water and lock it into the skin, and to help keep the product from freezing or melting.

While the FDA has asserted that propylene glycol in cosmetics is “generally recognized as safe,” many people have allergies to it or experience mild skin irritation.

Without these chemicals, how do Eminence Skin Care Products work so well?

eminence organic skin careNone of these chemicals are really necessary to be an effective cosmetic product—they are simply mass-produced and easy to implement chemicals that many store brand products choose to use for ease of production and to achieve low cost.

Eminence Skin Care Products use Biodynamic® ingredients made up of fruits and herbs with unusually high amounts of nutrients and active compounds that your skin and body need to be healthy.  All Biodynamic® ingredients are void of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, too.

Want to learn more about our Eminence Organic Skin Care Products and determine which are best for your unique skin type?

It’s easy to get started!  All of our Eminence Skin Care Products are available in our Online Spa Boutique.  Our professional team of skincare professionals is ready to help you determine the best products for your specific needs.  Simply contact us today to either book an appointment in our Spa or we are happy to work with you remotely.   We are open and ready to serve you!