Shampoo and toothpaste have become commonplace in our modern lifestyle. However, some have suffered at the hands of these products. For instance, those who suffer from acne never suspect that their favorite shampoo or bubblegum toothpaste may be inducing their acne breakouts. This is until their stubborn acne fails to respond to professional-grade treatments and they are forced to look at the less obvious culprits. Shampoo and toothpaste come into contact with our skin far more frequently than acne treatments. Hence, there is large possibility that they may be negatively influencing our skin. Acne-prone individuals need to take extreme caution while shopping for shampoo or toothpaste to ensure that they won't be buying their way into new acne breakouts. In this article, we will be exploring some of the ingredients to be avoided in the battle for clear skin.
The majority of shampoos and toothpastes currently available on the market contain an additive known as sodium lauryl sulfate. To understand why this additive is being widely used, we need to consider the type of water that reaches most homes. In the United States, more than three quarters of homes receive what is known as hard water. This water has a significant mineral content. You can generally tell whether or not your home receives this type of water by examining your bathroom fixtures. If you notice mineral deposits in and around them, there is a high probability that you've been treating your skin with hard water.
Hard water has one major deficiency: it does not properly react with soap and other cleaning products. Instead of forming a lather as it should, this water combines with soap to form soap scum. Essentially, it is unable to facilitate the cleaning effect which soap was designed for. Since an overwhelming portion of Americans only have access to hard water, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste manufacturers started to include sodium lauryl sulfate in their products. This chemical provides that lather effect which we are all accustomed to in the absence of softer water. This forcefully induced lather, however, comes at a cost.
Lab tests have confirmed that SLS is a skin irritant, even in more negligible concentrations. Skin irritation can translate to bad news in the case of acne, almost always resulting in continued breakouts. The same SLS found in shampoo and toothpaste is also used in industrial products. This should remove any question as to the harsh nature of this ingredient. While not officially labeled a carcinogen, SLS is a recognized pesticide. The skin and hair care industries continue to use SLS as it is an inexpensive fix to a big problem. Softening the public water supply would be far more expensive than including a small additive in products.
Fortunately, you can take some steps to protect yourself against SLS. First off, avoid products that contain this harmful ingredient. You can quickly scan shampoo and toothpaste containers to ensure they lack this ingredient. When purchasing a shampoo, you also want to avoid other harsh chemicals such as alcohol, which can come into contact with your facial skin and further irritate it. Basic shampoos are a good bet. Toothpaste can be somewhat more menacing in the case of acne. Toothpastes often contain fluoride, a chemical used to strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride is a skin irritant, and can trigger acne in the area surrounding the mouth (and other acne-like conditions). Those who battle acne in this area should consider switching to a non-fluorinated toothpaste, and can consult their dentist for further advice.
The majority of shampoos and toothpastes currently available on the market contain an additive known as sodium lauryl sulfate. To understand why this additive is being widely used, we need to consider the type of water that reaches most homes. In the United States, more than three quarters of homes receive what is known as hard water. This water has a significant mineral content. You can generally tell whether or not your home receives this type of water by examining your bathroom fixtures. If you notice mineral deposits in and around them, there is a high probability that you've been treating your skin with hard water.
Hard water has one major deficiency: it does not properly react with soap and other cleaning products. Instead of forming a lather as it should, this water combines with soap to form soap scum. Essentially, it is unable to facilitate the cleaning effect which soap was designed for. Since an overwhelming portion of Americans only have access to hard water, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste manufacturers started to include sodium lauryl sulfate in their products. This chemical provides that lather effect which we are all accustomed to in the absence of softer water. This forcefully induced lather, however, comes at a cost.
Lab tests have confirmed that SLS is a skin irritant, even in more negligible concentrations. Skin irritation can translate to bad news in the case of acne, almost always resulting in continued breakouts. The same SLS found in shampoo and toothpaste is also used in industrial products. This should remove any question as to the harsh nature of this ingredient. While not officially labeled a carcinogen, SLS is a recognized pesticide. The skin and hair care industries continue to use SLS as it is an inexpensive fix to a big problem. Softening the public water supply would be far more expensive than including a small additive in products.
Fortunately, you can take some steps to protect yourself against SLS. First off, avoid products that contain this harmful ingredient. You can quickly scan shampoo and toothpaste containers to ensure they lack this ingredient. When purchasing a shampoo, you also want to avoid other harsh chemicals such as alcohol, which can come into contact with your facial skin and further irritate it. Basic shampoos are a good bet. Toothpaste can be somewhat more menacing in the case of acne. Toothpastes often contain fluoride, a chemical used to strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride is a skin irritant, and can trigger acne in the area surrounding the mouth (and other acne-like conditions). Those who battle acne in this area should consider switching to a non-fluorinated toothpaste, and can consult their dentist for further advice.
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