Have you ever looked at the lists of ingredients that are in your makeup or skin care products? If so, you likely didn’t recognize many of the ingredients, and the list, if they provided it, was probably extensive.

The shocking information about these lists is that they are mainly toxic chemicals. And the skin, as one of the largest organs on our body, is highly absorptive. Over 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream and can build up in our tissues, causing us to become toxic and ill.

Below is a list of some of the most prevalent ingredients found in mainstream “natural” skin care products.

Benzene: known to be carcinogenic. Usually a trace element and not often on the list of ingredients, but use the product enough and it becomes irritating to the mucous membranes and poisonous when ingested.

Bismuth Oxychloride: by-product of lead and copper refining. A heavy metal; heavy metals are associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

DEA (diethanolamine): synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers, and antifreeze. Harmful for liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Also avoid TEA and MEA.

Parabens: synthetic compounds used as a preservative in most beauty products. May be listed as methylparabens, propylparabens, butylparabens, and ethylparabens. Maybe cause allergic reactions and skin rashes and have been found in breast cancer tissue.

Phthalates: research has shown that “this preservative is an endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemical that can cause reproductive defects in the developing male fetus and cause early puberty in girls.” -Alive Magazine, Sept. 08.

Propylene Glycol: main ingredient in antifreeze and brake and hydraulic fluid. Material safety data sheets warn users to avoid skin contact. Studies report that it can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate/Sodium Laureth Sulphate: originally invented to clean garage floors. Linked to cataracts and can be carcinogenic. Rapidly absorbs into body and may cause hair loss.

The Alternative

Because we believe that your health status reflects what you put in your body, the Quinte Naturopathic Centre now distributes ROCIA products, made by The Leading Lady. While we carry only the skin care products, the ROCIA line also offers pure mineral makeup. The list of ingredients in all of their products is always chemical-free. ROCIA products

• are pore-friendly
• don’t support bacteria
• are 100% natural
• are vegan
• are gluten-free
• have not used animal testing and they are cruelty free.

The ROCIA skin care line includes cleansers, toners, moisturizers, firming lotions and gels, detoxifiers and deodorants, scrubs, and masks. They also carry hair tonics and eye serum.

For a price and product list, please visit the Quinte Naturopathic Centre, where we’d be happy to help you choose the right product for your skin and place your order.

ROCIA all-natural skin care. Helping you look and feel your very best—naturally!

Please note: many of the mainstream brands out there touting their stuff as natural or mineral still contain parabens and other chemical ingredients. Unfortunately, the majority of them are not purely natural or healthy.