H
Harvest
AI Summarized Content

Did You Eat Your Skin Cream?

Let's take a deep dive into what's really in your skincare products, why it matters, and what you can do to protect your health and glow! 🌱✨


1. What's Really in Your Skincare?

The article opens with a thought-provoking question: "What exactly is in the high end, low end or hippie dippy jars, bottles and tubes in your bathroom shelves and shower?"
The author immediately sets the tone by warning:

"Probably not what you would like to be ingesting on a daily basis, or ever, for that matter."

Why Should You Care?

Here's the kicker: Anything you put on your skin can be absorbed into your bloodstream, digestive tract, and filtered through your organs.

"Yes, if you apply it anywhere on your beautiful and divine body temple, you are in fact ingesting it into your bloodstream, into your digestive tract, and filtering it through your liver and through every organ and system of your body."

So, in a way, you're "eating" your skin cream! 😲


2. The Sun and Your Chemical Soup

It gets even more concerning when you consider the sun's effect:

"There is little research indicating the harmful effects when the sun's rays hit your skin, radiating the chemical soup you have applied to your face."

What's the solution?
The author suggests:

"Never wear sunscreen, never wear skin cream you wouldn't eat."

She even offers a homemade, edible skin cream recipe and video for those interested.


3. Personal Experience: The Glow Up

The author shares a personal transformation:

"When I stopped wearing make up of any kind, my skin literally glows. I think I look in my 30's early 40's not the 55 years I have seen the sun circle around the planet."

Key takeaway: Many chemicals in cosmetics can actually prematurely age your skin.


4. Regulations: US vs. Europe

Here's a shocking comparison:

"As of 2009, the European Union currently bans 1,328 chemicals from its cosmetics. In contrast, as of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned or restricted only 30 chemicals."

The author points out a conflict of interest between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting that profit motives may outweigh consumer safety.


5. The Hidden Dangers in Your Products

Many common ingredients in cosmetics are linked to serious health issues:

"Ingredients such as parabens, formaldehyde, and carbon black — which are unfortunately found in many of our cosmetic products today — have been linked to some pretty serious health concerns such as cancer, hormonal imbalances (endocrine disruptors), obesity, dementia, Alzheimers, respiratory issues, just to name a few."


6. Lack of Oversight

Did you know?

"Cosmetics do not go through a pre-market approval process before being sold in stores, and the FDA does not assess the safety and effectiveness of the claims on the products before they're sold."

Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode from Harvard Medical School explains:

"The FDA steps in only if people actually complain about a product because they suspect it harmed them, prior to that, the onus is on the company alone. Products are tested to make sure they don't cause short-term problems, such as skin irritation. But they're not tested for long-term safety."


7. A DIY Solution

The author's approach?

"I personally will not put any chemicals inside or outside my body temple, home sanctuary or garden on purpose. I make all of my own skin care products as well as laundry soaps and cleaning supplies."

She encourages you to read labels and avoid the worst offenders, or try making your own products.


8. The 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare Products

Here's a handy list of the top 10 ingredients to avoid, with simple explanations:

1. Parabens

  • What are they? Preservatives in cosmetics.
  • Why avoid? They're endocrine disruptors (mess with your hormones).
  • Look for: Words ending in "paraben" (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben).

2. Carbon Black

  • What is it? Black pigment in mascara, eyeliner, etc.
  • Why avoid? Linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
  • Look for: Carbon black, D&C Black No. 2, acetylene black, etc.

3. Petroleum Jelly

  • What is it? Moisturizer, also called mineral oil.
  • Why avoid? Can contain PAHs (carcinogens).
  • Look for: Mineral oil, paraffin, white petroleum.

4. Fragrance

  • What is it? A mix of up to 100 unknown chemicals.
  • Why avoid? Can include endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, neurotoxins.
  • Look for: Fragrance, perfume, aroma.

5. Oxybenzone

  • What is it? Sunscreen ingredient.
  • Why avoid? Endocrine disruptor, banned in Hawaii for harming coral reefs.
  • Look for: Oxybenzone, benzophenone-3.

6. Phthalates

  • What are they? Make plastics flexible, used in fragrances and nail polish.
  • Why avoid? Linked to hormone disruption, cancer.
  • Look for: Phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP.

7. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers

  • What is it? Preservative, known carcinogen.
  • Why avoid? Causes cancer, skin irritation.
  • Look for: DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, etc.

8. Ethanolamines (TEA, MEA, DEA)

  • What are they? Foaming agents, pH adjusters.
  • Why avoid? Linked to cancer in animal studies.
  • Look for: Cocamide DEA, Triethanolamine, Lauramide DEA.

9. 1,4-Dioxane

  • What is it? Byproduct in foaming products.
  • Why avoid? Likely carcinogen.
  • Look for: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG compounds, ceteareth.

10. BHT & BHA

  • What are they? Preservatives.
  • Why avoid? Endocrine disruptors, possible carcinogens.
  • Look for: BHT, BHA.

9. What Can You Do?

  • Read labels and avoid these ingredients.
  • Make your own products (the author offers recipes and videos if you email her).
  • Join a purification program or schedule a free consultation for more guidance.

10. Final Words of Empowerment

The author closes with a message of encouragement:

"Thank you for supporting me so I can point the light back to your power, your truth, your wisdom and see you live your potential."


Key Takeaways

  • What you put on your skin matters as much as what you eat.
  • Many common skincare ingredients are linked to serious health risks.
  • Regulations in the US are much weaker than in Europe.
  • You have the power to choose safer products or make your own.
  • Start by reading labels and avoiding the top 10 harmful ingredients.

Your skin is your largest organ—treat it with love and care! 💚
If you want to learn more or get started with DIY skincare, reach out to the author for recipes and support.

Summary completed: 7/18/2025, 1:46:57 PM

Need a summary like this?

Get instant summaries with Harvest

5-second summaries
AI-powered analysis
📱
All devices
Web, iOS, Chrome
🔍
Smart search
Rediscover anytime
Start Summarizing
Try Harvest