Why You Should Never Use Another Face Cream Unless It’s Made With These Herbs

Aging is, and always will be, a part of life. And while none of us are getting any younger, we live in an age and time where we have the option of looking as young as we feel.

There are anti-aging products out there that have some seriously alluring promises, ensuring that consumers spend billions of dollars annually on creams and lotions that’ll help them look like they found the fountain of youth.

Anti-wrinkle creams contain some ingredients that are dodgy – to say the least – and there are main 5 ingredients that could be causing more harm than good to your skin.

The Toxic Ingredients in Conventional Anti Aging Creams

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)

PFOA is a toxic contaminant that has been found in a range of popular ant-aging products such as Garnier and CoverGirl. That very same ingredient, the one that forms due to polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE) (which is used to smooth edges on cookware and personal care products) has been linked to cancer. You can go ahead and read the full report here.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA)

AHA and BHA are commonly found in anti-aging creams. Interestingly enough, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Compendium has admitted that both AHA and BHA strip the skin of its surface layer, increasing your risk of sunburn and skin cancer. [1]

Limonene

Limonene is a well-documented carcinogen, and it’s a skin irritant, another favorite ingredient in anti-wrinkle creams. It received a 6/10 on EWG’s cosmetic database.

Nanoparticles

This is a more recent ingredient that came into play in the cosmetics industry. These reduce the size of ingredients to a microscopic scale, allowing them to penetrate rapidly and deeply into the skin, the blood, and even our organs. We simply don’t have enough information. This is a good (long) read on nanoparticle technology in anti-aging creams.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is a form of mineral oil, which is also used in brake fluid and antifreeze. It’s an ingredient that helps to prevent the escape of moisture and has been linked to liver and kidney damage as well as allergies.

Women across the world are using creams and lotions and unfortunately the FDA doesn’t regulate ingredients in cosmetic products as harshly as they regulate our food and drug products. These potentially harmful ingredients are often found in the cosmetics due to the manufacturing process, classifying them as by-products, thus eliminating the need for manufacturers to even list them as ingredients.

We face the danger of paying a hidden price when it comes to our skin, and more importantly, to our health, by using cosmeceuticals that use chemicals to alter the structure of our skin.

Sure you can try to determine whether or not a product is worth its weight (and price) by using the Cosmetics Database, but is it really worth the risk? How do we step away from harmful cosmetics in the bid to try and improve the appearance of our skin? The answer lies in herbs. And it’s a lot simpler than you thought.

How to Use Herbs for Natural Wrinkle Prevention

Here are a few herbs and natural ingredients that you can use to replace your cosmetic anti-wrinkle creams:

Ginseng

Whether you opt to use American or Asian ginseng, both are great at helping the body fight aging. Ginseng primarily helps your body fight off stress, which is, of course, a big reason why a lot of us age prematurely. By taking a ginseng supplement you can help boost your body’s stamina and improve your mental and physical performance.

Gotu Kola

Native to India, South Africa, Indonesia, and China, Gotu Kola is a plant that has been used to fight aging for thousands of years. The plant aids in tissue healing promoting mental clarity, and can fight and prevent varicose veins. You can take it in supplement form to help promote skin health as well as fight the mental aspects that aging brings with it. It can also be added to a steam facial recipe.

Turmeric

While Turmeric is a common curry spice, it packs a range of health benefits, including its potent wrinkle-fighting abilities. Turmeric has been found to fight degenerative disease, helps regulate stress levels thanks to its antioxidant levels, and helps fight visible signs of aging. You can consume turmeric, use it in a face mask, or even try opting for a liquid turmeric extract to make sure you’re harnessing its full potential.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been used as an all-around beauty herb for ages, and with good reason. It treats scarred skin, restores moisture levels, and promotes evenly-toned and radiant-looking skin. Aloe Vera can be consumed in a juice version, or applied topically to the skin to help combat wrinkles.

These helpful herbs and natural ingredients are just a handful of what Mother Nature arms us with against the war on wrinkles. Isn’t it time that you started treating your body the way nature intended you to and finally start pursuing that vibrant and long life we’re all after?