Dr. Chad Walding
Dr. Chad Walding
Updated on October 14, 2022
Is your bathroom counter starting to overflow with anti-aging creams, serums, and masks? Do you find yourself spending more time trying to cover up dark spots, massage away loose skin, or shelling out hundreds on neurotoxins for those wrinkles?
Those things may be helpful, but they’re only masking or temporarily treating the issue rather than tackling it directly. The issue at hand? Collagen loss.
As you age, your collagen levels decline, leaving you with sagging, dull skin. Luckily, addressing this issue head-on and restoring your body’s collagen levels with a high-quality collagen supplement can be the best answer.
Collagen supplements can help reduce loose skin, deep wrinkles, and even your skin tone from dark spots caused by aging.
If you’re wondering what collagen can do for your skin, look no further. This article will uncover the impact collagen has on your skin health and how you can start turning back the hands of time today.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is responsible for the overall structure of your skin. In addition to giving your skin a plump and youthful look, collagen helps ligaments stay elastic and flexible by providing a nice cushion between your joints (1).
Collagen provides structure, stability, and strength to the many dermal layers of your skin. Collagen proteins have a shape similar to a rope—wound tightly together holding water and moisture as well as providing elasticity to your skin. It also helps give your skin a nice even, glowing tone.
You’re born with a healthy amount of collagen. (That’s why babies have perfectly smooth, full-looking skin.) However, once you hit your mid-20s, that natural production starts to slow down. And on top of that, things like sun damage, smoking, and exposure to free radicals can further decrease your natural collagen production (2).
Free radicals do this by interfering with your collagen production and breaking down existing collagen. This can leave your skin looking dull, sagging, and prone to wrinkles. Free radicals can be from external sources like air pollution and chemical exposure, or things like inflammation and strenuous exercise. Unfortunately, free radicals cannot be totally avoided, making the aging of skin inevitable.
As you collect more birthdays, you may notice you’re collecting more wrinkles too. This isn’t due to the stress of your kids or your job…it’s because the amount of collagen in your skin is decreasing as you age.
When collagen protein starts to decrease, water and moisture leave with it—leaving your skin drier and more prone to sagging and wrinkles. Collagen also helps provide the bright glowy look of youth and protects against dark spots (liver spots/age spots) that seem to come out of nowhere.
Thankfully, research is showing a collagen supplement can improve skin health.
The benefits of supplementing with collagen for skin include the following (3):
A study that included women aged 35 to 55 years old showed women who received hydrolyzed collagen had improvements in skin elasticity and skin moisture after just four weeks of use and again after eight weeks of use (4).
Collagen supplements can also help reduce dark spots by acting as an antioxidant. This helps your body fight free radicals, and more importantly, repair past damage.
Oral collagen supplements are more effective than topical collagen because collagen fibers are usually too big to penetrate deeply into the skin when applied topically. However, when you take hydrolyzed collagen as an oral supplement, your body generates more collagen and elastin from within, bringing the benefits exactly where they need to be.
Once your body stops naturally producing collagen in your 20s, you may be wondering how you can obtain collagen elsewhere…
Collagen is found in animal and vegetable sources, with beef being the most popular source. Collagen is typically found in the bone marrow, ligaments, and grisly parts of meat that most people tend to avoid. This is what makes a collagen supplement the ideal choice: You get all the benefits of collagen, without the hassle of eating a bunch of grisly meat every single day.
That said, when purchasing a collagen supplement, there are three things to look for on the label…
When looking for the best collagen, make sure you find one that is from a grass-fed source. Diet can greatly affect the quality of the collagen. It can also affect the absorption, effectiveness, and even safety of the collagen supplement. The best collagen supplements are from Certified Grass-Fed sources that have never been exposed to toxins such as pesticides, hormones, chemicals, or antibiotics.
You want to make sure your collagen is in a hydrolyzed or peptide form. This simply means that the collagen has been broken down into the smallest available proteins, making it easier for you to digest and easier for your body to start seeing benefits.
Hydrolyzed/peptide collagen is also much easier to mix. It dissolves quickly so that you won’t even notice a difference in your favorite hot or cold beverage. You’ll know right away if your collagen supplement isn’t hydrolyzed…it’ll be like a sticky, gelatin-like clump floating in your beverage.
Hydrolyzed collagen benefits your skin in two ways:
Long story short, taking a hydrolyzed collagen supplement improves skin health by increasing collagen production and suppressing the enzymes that actively break collagen down.
Collagen is made of nearly 30 different types of fibers found all throughout the body. However, Types 1 and 3 are the two most abundant types, making up over 90% of the collagen in your body (5).
Type 1 is the most prevalent and can be found in the skin, bones, teeth, ligaments, and other tissues; while Type 3 can be found in the skin, muscles, uterus, bowel, and large blood vessels (6, 7). Type 1 and Type 3 have both been studied and are thought to be the most effective in addressing joint, bone, and skin health.
The best collagen supplements use these two highly effective collagen fibers and don’t add any additional filler collagen (like Type 2, 4, 5, and so on).
At NativePath, we created a collagen supplement that checks all three of the features above.
✔ Certified grass-fed, guaranteeing safety and purity.
✔ Hydrolyzed, making it easily dissolvable in any liquid while being easily absorbed by the body.
✔ Type 1 and 3 collagen fibers that give your skin the support it needs to stay hydrated, plump, and youthful.
So, when looking for the best collagen supplement for skin health, NativePath Collagen Peptides is the way to go.
As a doctor of Physical Therapy, Senior Wellness Expert, and co-founder of NativePath, Dr. Walding has helped millions of people improve their quality of life from the inside out—by speaking, writing, and educating others on how to live life a little more #OnThePath.
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Claire Hannum
July 7, 2022
Is your hair feeling thin and brittle when you run your hands through it? Are you spotting more strands than usual left behind when you brush your hair each morning?
Some amount of daily hair shedding is normal, but how much is too much? And what causes it?
Your hair loss might be caused by a sneaky culprit—a deficiency you didn’t even know you have. Here’s what to know…
Hair loss, known scientifically as alopecia, is pretty common (affecting nearly 80 million Americans) (1). People in every walk of life have encountered it—including young children—though it’s especially common in older age.
A large portion of unexplained hair loss is caused by genetics. However, others experience hair loss due to autoimmune conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease, or psoriasis, or major healthcare experiences, like chemotherapy (2).
For many women, hair loss arises during certain periods of life—particularly when hormones shift. Pregnancy and the post-partum period are often accompanied by hair loss, and so is menopause (3).
Just about everyone experiences some degree of hair shedding. On average, people shed around 50 to 100 hairs each day, and usually, that hair is replaced by new strands soon afterward (4).
If you suspect you’re losing more hair than normal, look for symptoms like a wider part, a receding hairline, bald spots, and scalp pain. You may also notice extra hair in your brush or shower drain (5).
Many cases of sudden hair loss that aren’t caused by genetics fall into a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss can impact your entire scalp and is especially common for women between the ages of 30 and 60. It’s usually associated with times of physical or emotional stress or major life changes (think: major surgery, extreme weight loss, or giving birth), and is usually reversible (6, 3).
One of the most under-the-radar causes is a deficiency in vitamin D (7).
Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient that we get via sunlight and certain foods we eat. Vitamin D supports skin and bone health, boosts the immune system, and plays a key role in many other body systems—including creating new hair follicles (8). An estimated one billion people worldwide (yes, billion!) do not get enough vitamin D (8).
When we don’t get the vitamin D our body needs, we are at increased risk for a wide range of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune issues, and mental health hurdles (9). Among the many symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is hair loss. Since the vitamin helps stimulate both new and old hair follicles, a deficiency makes it harder for the body to grow more hair (7).
No need to panic…hair loss caused by vitamin D deficiency is reversible! You can bring your mane back to life with two simple steps: Increasing your vitamin D intake and supplementing with collagen.
Replenish your vitamin D levels by supplementing with at least 800 IU of vitamin D daily. In addition to this, aim to get 10 to 30 minutes of midday sunshine each day to give your body the natural vitamin D that it needs (10, 11).
Restoring your body’s vitamin D levels should stop hair loss in its tracks. Next, it’s time to focus on healthy, glowing regrowth. If you want to regrow your hair the natural way, consider supplementing daily with collagen.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It provides strength and support to bones, ligaments, tendons, skin, hair, nails, and more (12, 13).
Collagen also contains amino acids, the tiny molecules that serve as the building blocks of protein. Your hair mainly consists of a protein called keratin, and many of the amino acids used to create keratin are included in collagen (14).
Taking collagen daily is a way to supply your body with the literal building blocks of hair so it can grow back thicker, stronger, and healthier.
Many NativePath customers have seen massive changes to their hair when they made collagen part of their daily routine. “I’ve experienced amazing results,” shared Ellen Morgan. “My hair has stopped falling out and my skin no longer feels like sandpaper!”
Another customer, Marylou, shared that even her stylist noticed a difference…“My hair designer cannot get over how fast my hair is growing. So am I pleased? You bet.”
Another customer, Eileen, is seeing a fantastic shift in her hair’s strength: “One benefit of taking this product is that my hair is much stronger, with less breakage and loss. Before collagen, my hair was falling out too much and it worried me. I take 40 mg daily and hope that it will begin to strengthen the rest of me.”
Along with helping your hair regrow, collagen boasts a few other hair benefits…
Because collagen has an antioxidant effect on hair, it can help protect it from the free radicals that create damage or brittleness (15). Collagen may also prevent other types of hair thinning, including the kind associated with aging. This is thanks to the fact that collagen increases skin elasticity, which may be connected to more consistent hair growth (16). And if you happen to dislike your grays, collagen could even mitigate that by protecting your strands from color-influencing free radicals (17, 18).
Most people with a vitamin D deficiency don’t realize that they’re not getting enough of it. Luckily, vitamin D-related hair loss is an easy problem to treat. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D with a supplement like NativePath D3 + K2 and load up on NativePath Collagen Peptides daily to pave the way for the strongest, thickest, healthiest hair you’ve ever had.
We want more customers like Judith shouting from the rooftops about their renewed hair growth…“My hair is growing back! I lost a lot of hair when I wasn't using NativePath. Now I have new hair growth.”
Let us know in the comments below…has vitamin D and/or collagen benefited your hair?
As a writer, editor, and wellness seeker, Claire has written for Self, Health, Prevention, CNN, Mic, Livestrong, and Greatist, just to name a few. When she's not writing, she specializes in traveling, getting lost in health-related research rabbit holes, and finding new ways to spoil her cat.
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Claire Hannum
June 14, 2022
One day you wake up and they’ve shown up out of nowhere...
Spider veins.
You know the ones: The cluster of purple veins that gather in your legs, sometimes bulging out beneath the skin.
Maybe your mom told you growing up that you should avoid crossing your legs to keep spider veins at bay (but this is a myth, by the way...although it may help relieve varicose vein symptoms) (1).
That said, spider veins don’t really appear out of nowhere. There are plenty of factors that cause them. Sometimes those factors are things beyond your control—but sometimes simple shifts in your routine can change everything.
So, can you stop spider veins in their tracks?
First things first: What are spider veins?
Their official name is varicose veins, and they can also be called varicoses or varicosities. They happen when your veins become enlarged or filled with too much blood. Most varicose veins of a certain stage look swollen and create a raised “ridge” rising out from the leg. Most are also a noticeable color, like purple, blue, or red.
If this sounds like you, you’re not the only one: Nearly 24% of adults have spider veins (2).
So how do they happen? To put it simply, spider veins occur when your veins aren’t functioning like they’re supposed to (3).
Our veins have valves that keep your blood flowing as it should—toward the heart. And these valves prevent gravity from pulling your blood into the opposite direction, where it might otherwise pool in the legs which are farthest from your heart. But as we get older, those valves age along with the rest of us, and may not work as efficiently (4).
In some cases, varicose veins can be a risk factor for a type of blood clot called deep venous thrombosis, also called DVT (5). For most people, however, varicose veins are not dangerous.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t uncomfortable. Varicose veins can hurt. Yours may be accompanied by burning, swelling, cramping, aches, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs that can be exacerbated by long periods of sitting or standing.
And of course, most of us aren’t too fond of how our spider veins look either. As common as varicose veins are (they are no reason to feel bad about yourself!) it’s still not particularly fun to have large bulges and discoloration on your legs.
There are two sets of risk factors for varicose veins: Those you can control and those that you can’t.
Unfortunately, some of the major risk factors include your sex, family history, and age. People over age 50 are at a higher risk for developing spider veins, and menopause also increases your risk factor (6).
The good news, though, is that there are certain lifestyle factors that ramp up your risk—and those are things we can change!
The more you sit for prolonged periods of time, the higher your risk factor for varicose veins. When you sit for too long, it can cause blood to pool in the veins in your legs—the very thing we want to avoid. Break up long stretches of sitting still with daily walks, leg day at the gym, or even leg lifts and stretches from the couch (7)!
On the other side of the coin, standing for too long can also pose a risk. This is especially an issue for people whose jobs require them to stand in a mostly stationary spot for several hours each shift (8). The blood in your legs simply doesn’t flow as well when you’re still, whether you’re standing or sitting.
To help mitigate this, take short walk breaks every 45 minutes. If you can’t take breaks while standing, try doing squats in place, leg lifts, or simple stretches—anything to get that blood flowing.
If you’re carrying extra weight, there may be extra pressure on your veins that can increase your risk factor (9). Since switching up your diet and moving more are solutions to many other spider vein risk factors, you may find yourself losing weight from habit change alone without even realizing it.
There are many healthy ingredients that can help curb your risk of spider veins, including fiber and rutin, but our personal favorite is omega-3 fatty acids (10, 11).
Why?
Because this powerful ingredient does so much more in addition to potentially reducing your risk of spider veins.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your circulation, which can in turn help prevent clotting and varicose veins (12). But that’s just the beginning: Omega-3s have also been associated with lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride levels, and a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke (13).
If you want to help prevent varicose veins, try working some of the below foods into your diet so you’re getting at least 250 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day (14)…
Krill Oil
Krill oil is a powerful extract that comes from the Antarctic Ocean. Among many other health benefits, including lower cholesterol and better brain health, krill oil is loaded with the omega-3 fatty acids your body needs to ward off spider veins (15).
The added bonus: The omega-3s that krill oil offers is more bioavailable than what’s found in other ingredients like fish oil—meaning your body will absorb it more easily and efficiently (16). While krill is eaten in some parts of the world, the simplest way to load up on its nutrients is with a supplement, and NativePath Antarctic Krill Oil makes this easy to do.
Fatty Fish (like Mackerel and Salmon)
Delicious fish like salmon and mackerel are packed with omega-3, and at least two servings a week are recommended (17).
Flaxseed
The ground format of these tiny seeds can be blended into smoothies, oatmeal, and many other types of meals without any taste. In addition to omega-3s, they’re packed with ingredients that can help keep your cholesterol healthy along with boosting other health factors (18, 19).
Chia Seeds
Load up on chia pudding (or pack other meals with chia seeds!) for a hefty dose of omega-3 that your veins will love, as well as a satisfying feeling of fullness that will tide you over for hours (20).
Walnuts
Walnuts are associated with reduced blood pressure, lower inflammation, and—key when fighting varicose veins—improved blood vessel function (21). Of course, they’re also delicious! Load up on them whenever you can, because your veins and your taste buds will thank you.
At the end of the day, there are aspects of our health that we can’t control, but there are also aspects that we can control. And that includes some of the habits and dietary factors that can help reduce the odds of developing varicose veins.
Moving more and eating healthier ingredients packed with omega-3s can make a difference. You’ll lower your likelihood of spider veins while improving your health in other ways along the way.
As a writer, editor, and wellness seeker, Claire has written for Self, Health, Prevention, CNN, Mic, Livestrong, and Greatist, just to name a few. When she's not writing, she specializes in traveling, getting lost in health-related research rabbit holes, and finding new ways to spoil her cat.
Sources
Caroline Nicks
Updated on June 1, 2022
Summer is right around the corner (June 21st).
Which means that stores are stocking up on sunscreen with every SPF under the sun. And you’re slathering it all over your skin, the kids, the grandkids, and whoever else you can get your hands on.
Because protecting your skin from the ultra-radiant sun and its UV rays is your most important mission every single summer.
In this article, you’ll learn what UV rays are, the 11 toxic sunscreen chemicals to avoid, and the more natural sunscreen you and your family will want to reach for this summer.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of invisible electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun (1).
There are a few different types of solar UV energy—UVA, UVB, and UVC. The two that are the strongest and most damaging to living things are UVA and UVB (2).
Here’s how it works: Of the solar energy that reaches the equator, 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB. UVC is very unlikely to reach the earth’s surface due to things like ozone, molecular oxygen, and water vapor in the upper atmosphere (3).
Although the sun gets bashed for transmitting so much radiation, only 10% of its sunlight is UV.
Here are a few important facts you should know about UV rays (4)...
The sun is what brings life to this earth. It generates photosynthesis, weather patterns, and solar energy.
Despite all the good it does for us, there are safety measures to take. Because as the old adage goes, “Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.”
And you already know what happens when you get too much sun: A red, painful, blistering sunburn.
Repeated sun exposure throughout one’s life is what leads to skin cancers like basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma (5).
Believe it or not, there are both good sunscreens and bad sunscreens out there.
When it comes to SPFs, there are 11 harmful ingredients you should be on the lookout for (6, 7):
Why are there so many unsafe ingredients in sunscreen, you ask?
Because the FDA automatically grandfathered in these ingredients back in the 1970s without reviewing their potential hazards.
Fast forward to 2022...The only two active sunscreen ingredients that the FDA has marked as “generally recognized as safe” (GRASE) are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (8).
Even though this is a positive step in the right direction, there are still dozens of sunscreen products with those 11 chemicals listed above. The absolute worst of those is oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3, not to be confused with benzophenone), which is linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, contact allergies, and photoallergies (7, 9).
Many people don’t realize that with just one application of sunscreen, those chemicals seep into your bloodstream and stay there for weeks. So much so that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention routinely find oxybenzone in 96% of Americans.
So now that you know which sunscreen ingredients to avoid, what type of sunscreen should you turn to?
As you’re scrolling through sunscreens online or roaming the aisles of your local grocery store, be on the lookout for a mineral sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection”.
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
This is important since UVB rays are the root cause of sunburns and UVA rays are associated with aging (because they penetrate deeper into the skin) (10).
A more natural sunscreen alternative is a non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen. The unique benefit of this sunscreen is that its particles are large enough so that they aren’t absorbed by the skin (7).
This may leave a white film on the skin, but you can rest assured that you’re safely protected from UV rays AND toxic chemicals.
SPFs over 30 don’t make much of a difference in terms of protection. Here are the general guidelines:
Although there isn’t a sunscreen that can block all UV rays, an SPF 30 will do the job. But if you have fairer skin, you would benefit from an SPF 50 and the extra 1% protection it provides.
If things like gardening, golf, or a long hike have you out in the sun all day, be sure to reapply your mineral sunscreen every 2 hours. Studies also show that a double application of sunscreen before sun exposure optimizes protection compared to a single application (11).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends getting 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure 2 to 3 times a week—without the application of sunscreen (12).
Once you exceed 5 to 15 minutes, it’s wise to slather on an SPF 30 sunscreen that’s free of the following five chemicals: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene.
If you’re one who doesn’t make it outside often, then I recommend adding a Vitamin D supplement to your wellness regimen.
It’s estimated that 35% of Americans are deficient in this essential nutrient.
Vitamin D is unique because it’s the ONLY vitamin that can be produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight. Hence why it’s called the “sunshine vitamin”. So if you’re not getting adequate sun exposure, you’re not getting much vitamin D.
The reason why vitamin D is so important is because it plays a vital part in the health of your bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, calcium homeostasis, and the control of cell cycles (13, 14).
The best vitamin D supplement to take is one that has both vitamin D3 and K2. This combination will have powerful effects on your bone mineral density, while also helping to decrease blood glucose levels (15, 16).
Sunlight is necessary for your health, well-being, and overall vitality.
Without it, we wouldn’t be alive. It’s what keeps us warm, what triggers the production of vitamin D and serotonin (the happy hormone), and what improves skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne (17, 18).
Once you’ve exceeded your weekly dose of sunshine, be sure to apply a chemical-free broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with an SPF 30 to keep your skin looking youthful and free of cancer, sun spots, and wrinkles.
Certified Health Coach and Head of Content at NativePath (aka I’m the gal responsible for ensuring that every blog we publish helps you live life a little more #OnThePath).
Sources
Dr. Chad Walding
Updated on October 20, 2022
Aging gracefully is great and all, but it’d be nice if we could slow that process down just a bit...
Unfortunately, the first visible sign of aging is your skin—especially the skin on your face (sigh). Even if your hair, joints, and energy still feel (somewhat) youthful, your face may not have that same luster it had ten years ago.
Consuming a well-balanced diet, getting high-quality sleep, and exercising daily all enhance the health of your mind and body—but is there anything else you can do to delay your skin's aging process?
Research shows that supporting your skin's integrity on a cellular and structural level can slow down signs of aging. Collagen, in particular, can support the deepest layers of your skin and help you maintain that youthful glow.
In this article, we’ll address what really happens as your skin ages, and what you can do about it.
One of the most tell-tale signs of aging: Wrinkles.
It often feels like it happens overnight…You look in the mirror one morning and notice that your smooth skin has become thinner, drier, and less elastic.
So, where do these wrinkles come from?
Skin aging is a complex process marked by both internal and external factors. It begins with your extracellular matrix (ECM)—the tissue surrounding (and supporting) your cells. As you age, this structural support begins to break down, slowing the production of collagen (1, 2, 3).
The result: A loss of skin elasticity (AKA the appearance of wrinkles).
The primary culprit for the breakdown of your ECM is oxidative stress. Oxidation can come from natural processes in your body, but it can also occur due to sun damage (which is the primary external factor affecting skin health) (3).
When oxidation occurs, it produces (highly) reactive oxygen species (ROS). The unstable molecules of these ROS go on to cause damage as they interact with cells and tissues. At this point, your immune system gets involved and releases antioxidants to combat the damage created by ROS.
However, with age comes a decline in antioxidants—leaving you vulnerable to the detrimental effects of ROS (4).
Because skin aging occurs from natural and external processes, researchers have been on the hunt for a "fountain of youth".
While there is no magic pill, there are 6 things you can do to support the health of your skin and delay signs of aging.
If you want to tap into that fountain of youth, here are the 6 most effective ways to achieve healthy, youthful skin:
Sunlight triggers oxidative damage and is one of the primary external causes of aging skin, but that doesn’t mean you should hide inside all day. Getting enough sunlight is vital for the production of vitamin D.
Without vitamin D, you’re at risk of (6, 7):
NativeTip: Be mindful of how much sun you’re getting each day. When you know that you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, apply a natural sunscreen.
NativeTip: Be mindful of how much sun you’re getting each day. When you know that you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, apply a natural sunscreen.
Because oxidative stress is one of the underlying causes of skin aging, antioxidants are your best bet in combating its damage (8).
The best way to get your antioxidants is through food. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and compounds, along with other phytonutrients that support the health of your body on a cellular level.
Excellent sources of antioxidants include (9):
When buying antioxidant-rich foods, look for a variety in color. The more colors you have on your plate, the wider the range of antioxidants you'll be providing your body.
Smoking cigarettes speed up the aging process of your skin and often results in wrinkles.
Here’s why: The chemicals in cigarettes directly damage your extracellular matrix (ECM) by degrading collagen and elastin. This leaves your skin looking dull and less elastic.
In addition to this, the nicotine in cigarettes narrows the blood vessels in your skin, impairing blood and oxygen flow to your cells (10).
Emotional stress can directly impact your skin’s health through several pathways, most notably inflammation and oxidative stress. Although reducing stress may be easier said than done, the potential benefits of lowering your stress levels are far-reaching for your overall health and well-being (11).
If you don’t know where to begin, try stress-reducing practices like meditation, breathwork, yoga, or journaling to calm your mind.
Water is the main component of your body, making up (12):
With that being said, it plays a vital role in your physiology and the maintenance of cellular processes. In short, every tissue and organ in your body needs water to function, and your skin is no exception (13).
When you're dehydrated, your skin becomes dehydrated—appearing dry and dull. If you want to keep your skin happy and healthy, be sure to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
Want to learn more about water? Read this article: 5 Benefits of Adding Collagen to Your Water
Collagen is known as the “glue” that holds the body together—while providing insulation and protection. So when collagen levels are depleted, the body feels like it’s falling apart—achy joints, stiff muscles, saggy skin.
Collagen makes up nearly 30% of the protein within the connective tissue of your extracellular matrix (ECM) (14). Your ECM is the part of connective tissue that provides scaffolding and structure, maintaining balance throughout the body. It occupies the space between your cells, connecting and holding everything in place (15).
When it comes to your skin, your ECM is its main support system. The stronger your ECM, the tighter and firmer your skin will be. While there are approximately 28 different types of collagen, Type 1 and Type 3 are the most abundant types in your skin. In fact, 80-90% of the collagen in your body is made up of either Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 collagen (16, 17, 18).
With collagen being a vital component of your extracellular matrix, several studies have confirmed its potential to slow aging skin.
Although you may find collagen-containing skin creams online and in beauty product stores, they’re mostly marketing ploys. Research supporting the external application of collagen is weak at best.
However, there are numerous studies looking at the benefits of an oral collagen supplement. And these studies have uncovered some impressive results in the anti-aging space.
In one study, researchers aimed to determine the impact of a drinkable collagen supplement on skin health. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 72 women aged 35 and or older for twelve weeks. The women were divided into two groups: One placebo group and one intervention group.
During the twelve weeks, skin assessments were conducted to assess skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density. At the end of the twelve weeks, the intervention group showed significant changes in all four assessment parameters with greater skin hydration, elasticity, and density, and reduced roughness.
Whatsmore, the collagen supplement’s positive effects were substantially retained when the researchers reassessed the participant's skin four weeks later (19).
In another study, 69 women aged 35 to 55 were randomized to receive either 2.5 grams or 5 grams of collagen or a placebo once daily for eight weeks. Skin assessments for elasticity, moisture, and roughness were carried out at week four and week eight of the study.
After just four weeks, researchers noted a statistically significant increase in skin elasticity, with positive effects on both skin moisture and roughness (20).
In yet another study, supplementation with collagen on a daily basis for 60 days led to a noticeable reduction in skin dryness, wrinkles, and smile lines. In addition, a significant increase in collagen density and skin firmness was observed after 12 weeks (21).
Collagen isn’t the only component of your extracellular matrix (ECM) that contributes to youthful skin. Elastin and fibrillin are two more components of the ECM that play a key role in skin health...
Elastin is a protein that’s highly elastic in nature (hence the name) and allows tissues to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. As you can imagine, having a healthy amount of elastin in your skin is paramount for skin firmness, resilience, and elasticity (22).
Fibrillin is a glycoprotein that works with elastin, providing a scaffolding for elastin to sit on (23).
Research shows that collagen supplementation can support healthy elastin levels by increasing elastin synthesis while simultaneously slowing its decline. Collagen specifically curbs the activity of something called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which plays a role in aging by deteriorating the proteins in your ECM (24, 25).
One study showed that after just eight weeks of collagen supplementation, participants' skin had an 18% increase in elastin, along with a 6% increase in fibrillin. This increase in ECM synthesis resulted in a statistically significant reduction in wrinkles (26).
Although aging is a natural process, there’s a lot you can do to slow it down.
Collagen is one of the most well-studied nutrients for skin health. It not only supports the integrity of your extracellular matrix directly, but it also enhances your ability to produce other skin-supportive proteins like elastin.
If you're looking for ways to slow down the effects of aging on your skin, supplementing with collagen should be your first step. In addition, lifestyle practices like stress reduction, drinking enough water, consuming antioxidants, and using sun protection are steps that can be taken to support your skin's health.
As a doctor of Physical Therapy, Senior Wellness Expert, and co-founder of NativePath, Dr. Walding has helped millions of people improve their quality of life from the inside out—by speaking, writing, and educating others on how to live life a little more #OnThePath.
Sources
Caroline Nicks
November 1, 2021
If only eye bags could be designer…
All jokes aside, under-eye bags are something that nearly 80% of women experience at some point in their life.
With stress, hectic lives, disrupted sleep, and a processed-food diet becoming the norm, under-eye creams are dominating the “anti-fatigue cosmetics” market (at a whopping $15.2 billion) (1).
The chase for youthful-looking under-eyes isn’t coming to an end any time soon. Learn the main causes of eye bags, along with 21 ways to reduce their appearance.
Eye bags can be caused by a variety of internal and external factors. The most common include (2, 3):
Ultimately, as you age, the tissue and muscles that support your eyelids weaken. This causes your skin to sag and the fat around your eyes to move into the area below your eyes. In addition to this, your under-eye may begin to accumulate fluid, making it look puffier than normal.
Sure, you can drop a few hundred dollars on serums that “de-puff” or lighten those dark circles under your eyes, but the truth is, they won’t do much unless you make a few lifestyle changes first.
With that being said, here are 21 different ways to naturally get rid of undereye bags.
Without water, your body can only survive a few days. As an infant, your body is comprised of 75% water. And as an elder, it’s made up of 55% (4).
Water is essential for cellular homeostasis, life, and skin.
Your skin contains nearly 30% water—contributing to its plumpness, elasticity, and resiliency. Thus, drinking water can improve skin thickness, density, and hydration (4, 5).
How much is enough, you ask?
Although there are varying opinions regarding how much water you should drink each day, Dr. Chad recommends drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water.
Thus, if you weigh 130 pounds, you should drink approximately 65 ounces of water daily.
Eating packaged, processed, sugary foods can lead to quite an array of skin problems like eczema, acne, and worst of all—the deterioration of collagen and elastin in your skin.
Collagen makes up 70-80% of the protein in your skin (6). So when collagen declines, your skin loses the firmness and elasticity it once had—leading to sagging, wrinkles, and in theory, under-eye bags.
In addition to this, sugar causes inflammation (7). And inflammation can lead to under-eye bags (8).
Too much sodium can make your body retain water. Which, in turn, can lead to puffiness in your face and/or body. In particular, the thin skin around your eyes.
Now let me be clear here, sodium (<500 milligrams) is essential for cellular homeostasis and physiological function. However, if you consume too much (>3,200 milligrams), then your blood pressure elevates, your heart, kidneys, brain, and blood vessels take a toll, and your skin can become puffy and inflamed (9).
Did you know that when you sleep, fluids settle in the tissue beneath your eyes?
This means that if you get too little sleep (less than 7 hours), your blood vessels may leak and mix with those fluids, causing eye bags and dark circles (10, 11, 12).
However, there’s something more important than the number of hours you sleep each night…
The quality of your sleep. To ensure you’re getting the highest quality sleep, invest in blackout curtains, an eye mask, or earplugs if you need them.
If you want a supplement that you can rely on nightly, turn to Collagen PM. This unique blend of sleepytime ingredients helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and get deeper sleep.
Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article: Finally Get the Sleep You Need to Live Your Best Life
In addition to getting more high-quality sleep (and at least 7 hours a night), elevate your head while sleeping.
As stated in the previous point, fluid settles in the tissue underneath your eyes while you sleep. To prevent this from happening—and to wake up without puffy eye bags—prop yourself up with a few pillows (or a wedge pillow) before you fall asleep.
If propping your head up feels too uncomfortable (or is decreasing the quality of your sleep), another option is to elevate the entire top-end of your bed by a few inches. You can do this by putting a brick underneath each front bedpost or buying bed risers that are made specifically for this purpose.
Collagen makes up 70-80% of the protein in your skin. As it diminishes (1.0% to 1.5% with each passing year), the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken, collagen diminishes, and the loss of fat padding occurs (13, 14, 15).
To ensure you’re giving your body and skin what it needs to stay plump, elastic, and glowing, add a collagen supplement to your beauty regimen. It’s recommended that you take at least 20 grams per day to maintain skin health.
For more information on collagen and skin health, check out the following article: Aging Skin? Do These 6 Things to Naturally Restore Its Youthful Glow
In one internet survey, 3,267 women—aged 18 to 75 years—self-reported their facial aging. Smoking and alcohol consumption was reviewed as well.
Results showed that heavy alcohol use (8 or more drinks per week) was associated with increased upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, lines around the corners of the mouth, volume loss below the eyes, and increased blood vessels (16).
Alcohol consumption impairs the skin’s antioxidant defense system by decreasing its amount of skin carotenoids—antioxidants that protect the skin against UV radiation from the sun.
With that being said, alcohol should be limited to no more than 8 drinks per week.
In the study stated above, smoking was reviewed against facial aging as well.
Results showed that smoking was associated with increased forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, vertical creases between your eyebrows (also called “eleven” lines), under-eye puffiness, hollow tear troughs (sunken under eyes), nasolabial folds, lines around the corners and border of the mouth, and reduced lip fullness (16).
When you smoke, free radicals damage your repair mechanisms and reduce the turnover of collagen and elastin. This—along with the constriction of blood flow in the skin—is what leads to premature signs of aging (17).
It may be time to get a blood test.
Iron plays a critical role in fighting off oxidative stress and photodamage (skin changes like wrinkles, roughness, freckles, and pigmentation changes). In addition to this, it helps metabolize collagen (18).
Iron deficiency can lead to an array of ailments including:
How much iron is enough?
According to the National Health Service, this is how much iron you should consume daily (19):
Consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before beginning any new supplement or dietary change.
Tea bags, in particular—green tea bags—are extraordinary at reducing the bags under your eyes.
This is due to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids and tannins—two plant-based antioxidants found in green tea. In addition to this, the caffeine in green tea bags (approximately 30 to 40 grams per tea bag) may tighten the blood vessels in the tissue around your eyes, further reducing inflammation (20, 21).
Here’s what to do:
This may be the quickest, most cost-effective way to reduce under-eye puffiness.
Here’s what to do:
Something a bit fancier than a cold spoon—a jade roller.
Used for thousands of years—and originating in East Asia—jade rollers have been used as a massage treatment for the skin (also known as gua sha).
Gua sha involves a repeated, unidirectional press-stroke on moisturized skin. This has been shown to increase immune functions of the skin and may play a beneficial role in the blood flow and oxygen delivery of the skin (22, 23).
Preventing fluid retention can be as simple as adding electrolytes to your water.
Fluid and electrolyte balance is key for maintaining homeostasis. A lack of electrolytes—sodium, potassium, and chloride—can lead to hydration deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and a disruption in the flow of fluids throughout the body (24).
Rachel Roff—a licensed aesthetician—explains that “if your body is dehydrated, it could retain excess fluid in certain areas of the body, which is why you might have puffiness under your eyes. Help balance fluid levels by increasing your intake of electrolytes by eating fruits and vegetables such as bananas, asparagus, celery, or collard greens.”
Sinus congestion can lead to puffy eyes, facial pain or pressure, headaches, and more.
This nasal blockage results in inflammation and fluid retention—two things that will dramatically increase the puffiness of your eyes.
A tried and true way of combating sinuses is with a neti pot—an Ayurvedic saline nasal irrigation technique (25). Saline is poured into one nostril and drained out of the other.
What you will need: A neti pot.
How to do it (in just 5 simple steps):
Common allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet hair are yet another thing that can cause puffy eyes and dark circles—with over 600 million people affected worldwide. Additional symptoms can include watery eyes, itching, swelling, sneezing, and a runny nose (26, 27).
If you believe your puffy eyes are allergy-related, consider taking a natural antihistamine product.
One of the most important supplements for skin health: Collagen.
Collagen is a protein that makes up 70-80% of your skin. It can be credited to keeping your skin smooth, elastic, and glowing. However, as you age, your body’s natural collagen production begins to decline—which means that your skin’s natural rejuvenation process drastically slows. This, in turn, can magnify the appearance of undereye bags (28).
Two supplements that can combat collagen deficiency: Collagen itself (duh) and retinol (aka vitamin A).
Retinol—specifically tretinoin—positively influences photoaging (the damaging effect of UV rays) by preventing the deterioration of collagen.
In one animal study, tretinoin was applied to photoaged mouse skin. Within just 10 weeks, there was a significant repair of new collagen in the skin—which resulted in a vast decrease in wrinkles (28).
Ultraviolet radiation (UV), in particular—UVA and UVB rays—is the primary reason we need to wear sunscreen.
UVA is strongly associated with skin aging while UVB is associated with sunburns (29). When skin is left unprotected, UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells—leading to skin cancers like basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma.
Thus, wearing a natural, broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection is essential in maintaining skin health and may in turn help with under-eye bags and dark circles.
Don’t just buy any old sunscreen, though. Check out this article to steer clear of harmful sunscreen ingredients.
Acupuncture—originating from traditional Chinese medicine—is a treatment that applies small needles to specific pressure points on the body (30).
This balancing of the qi (energy) has quite the array of anti-aging benefits—ranging from the elimination of fine lines to minimizing dark circles, puffy eyes, sagging skin, and drooping eyelids.
Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure in which miniature fine needles (i.e. a dermaroller) are rolled over the skin. This puncturing of the skin breaks up old collagen strands which, in turn, stimulates the production of elastin (the “elastic” protein in your skin) (31).
One study analyzed the wrinkles, elasticity, and skin texture of 48 participants aged 35 to 75. Each underwent four microneedling sessions 30 days apart. Within just 150 days, there was a significant improvement in the lines, wrinkles, elasticity, and texture of the skin (32).
With that being said, this stimulation of elastin may improve under-eye bags and dark circles.
Dermatologists highly recommend avoiding at-home microneedling kits. Instead, consult a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician.
Sleeping in makeup exposes your skin to free radicals, which can then create oxidative stress—a phenomenon that speeds up the aging process (33).
According to ophthalmologist Yuna Rapoport, leftover makeup residue can lead to inflammation and redness around the eyes, resulting in puffiness. However, it’s crucial to not rub your makeup off, as it causes additional red, itchy inflammation of the skin (34).
Instead, Rapoport recommends using an oil-free makeup remover—which helps prevent blepharitis (inflamed eyelids), dry eye, and under-eye bags. Gently wipe around the eye area, or better yet—put the cleanser on a Q-Tip and go right over the lash line to remove mascara.
When in doubt, consult a licensed aesthetician.
An aesthetician will be your guide to healthy, youthful, glowing skin. They will dedicate their process to your specific skin care needs. Whether you want to reduce puffiness, even out your pigmentation, or combat aging, they have you covered.
Keep in mind that it’s important to find the right aesthetician. You can do this by first knowing what result you want to achieve, and then researching specialized aestheticians in your area.
Under-eye bags are a nuisance that can be caused by allergies, fluid retention, lack of sleep, and more.
Luckily, their appearance can be easily reduced in one of 21 ways.
From drinking more water to getting more high-quality sleep to incorporating tea bags or chilled spoons into your beauty ritual, you’ll be one step closer to smooth, de-puffed skin.
Certified Health Coach and Head of Content at NativePath (aka I’m the gal responsible for ensuring that every blog we publish helps you live life a little more #OnThePath).
Sources
Dr. Chad Walding
Updated on September 2, 2022
The number one question I ask those who come to me begging for anti-aging advice is: What are you eating?
And if the answer isn’t what I’m hoping for, I ask a follow-up question: What supplements are you taking?
Here’s why: Through the advancements of science, we’re learning something very important…
What you put into your body is just as important—if not more—as what you put on your skin.
So if you’re spending heaps of money on every anti-aging serum, under-eye cream, and wrinkle repair you can find, you’re missing HALF of the equation.
In the following article, you’ll get a carefully curated list of 5 edible beauty products your body needs to ward off wrinkles, reverse sun damage, and keep your complexion looking bright—giving you the plump, clear, smooth skin you’ve been dreaming about.
Before we dive into the 5 edible beauty products, let me address another question I frequently receive: Are edible beauty products just another trend?
My answer: No, they’re not.
Studies have repeatedly shown that skin is in dire need of certain nutrients to stay healthy. In fact, your skin is your body’s largest organ—an organ that’s constantly exposed to physical, chemical, bacterial, and fungal elements (1).
In order for your skin to have a fighting chance against those elements, it must be nourished with the right proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants on a daily basis.
My #1 tip for healthy skin: Be mindful of what you put into your body.
Your body is a temple. Rather than feeding it packaged, processed, sugary foods and beverages, focus on nourishing it with real, whole foods. In specific, the 5 following edible beauty products...
If I could recommend just one supplement that’s essential in reversing signs of aging, I’d recommend collagen.
Collagen is known as the “glue” that holds your body (and skin) together. When it comes to skin, collagen’s main job is to keep it elastic, plump, and youthful.
Here’s why this is important: As you age, your collagen levels take a hit.
By the time one reaches 50 years of age, their collagen levels have been cut in HALF (2). An easy way to tell if you’re deficient in collagen is if you have sagging skin, crepe-like skin, and/or crow’s feet.
One study found that taking a daily collagen supplement noticeably reduced wrinkles, improved elasticity, and increased hydration (3).
To ensure that your collagen levels are right where they need to be, add grass-fed collagen powder to your daily ritual. In addition to reviving your skin, it healthifies your hair, nails, joints, gut, and more.
Not sure how much collagen you should take? Check out this article: This Is How Much Collagen You Need Each Day to Experience Profound Results
Because collagen makes up such a large portion of your body’s protein, it’s clear that it’s an essential, worthwhile supplement to invest in.
A collagen supplement is transformational on its own, but when paired with collagen-boosting nutrients like the ones in our Collagen Care+ formula, you can rest easy knowing that you’re giving your body what it needs to keep making collagen.
With zinc, magnesium, hyaluronic acid, boron citrate, and vitamins A, B7, and C, you’re able to support your body’s natural collagen-making abilities, while preserving higher levels of collagen. Now that’s healthy aging.
The job of antioxidants is to shield your skin from the sun.
When you spend time in the sun, its UV rays trigger the production of free radicals in your body. Those free radicals go on to damage your cells’ DNA, proteins, and lipids.
In short, antioxidants are free-radical fighters. When you have too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants, you develop oxidative stress, which leads to premature aging (4).
Antioxidants needed for wrinkle repair include (5, 6, 7, 8, 9):
NativeNote: Did you know that the antioxidant found in krill, astaxanthin, is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants? So much so that it’s 550X stronger than Vitamin E, 800X more powerful than CoQ10, and 6000X more potent than Vitamin C!
Other places you can find antioxidants: Spices, green tea, nuts, herbs, whole grains, and seeds.
Omega-3 fatty acids block the breakdown of collagen through their anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition to this, they repair skin damage while keeping your skin hydrated (10, 11).
NativeTip: Don’t take just any omega-3 supplement. Quality ensures that there are no heavy metals and that there’s a healthy balance of both EPA and DHA (the two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids).
The best, purest source of omega-3 fatty acids is Antarctic Krill Oil, which also contains Astaxanthin—a strong antioxidant that fights the harmful effects of free radicals (12, 13).
And as an added bonus, there’s no fishy aftertaste.
Probiotics are live microorganisms (think: Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Longum, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus) that are praised for their positive effects on gut health, but did you know that they can also improve skin health?
When your gut health is balanced, your skin is balanced. This is because the bacteria in your gut are responsible for preventing toxins, partially digested food, and bad bacteria from leaking out of your gut and into your bloodstream. If this occurs, skin inflammation is triggered (14).
In order to harness the power of your gut health, you need a quality probiotic. Once you have that, you have the potential to prevent and treat skin diseases like eczema, acne, allergic inflammation, UV damage, and more (15).
In addition to probiotics, you need their sibling—prebiotics. Prebiotics are found in plant fibers and fuel the good bacteria in your gut (16). This ensures the probiotics you ingest are fed and nourished so they can do their job effectively. Prebiotics work similarly to fertilizer on a yard—stimulating the good bacteria to grow.
You can find prebiotics in foods such as:
There are dozens of skin-loving foods that play a significant role in anti-aging. Examples of these foods include:
Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fats
Foods Rich in Probiotics
Foods that Boost Collagen Production
Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fats
Foods Rich in Probiotics
Foods that Boost Collagen Production
Many foods and beverages actually speed up the aging process, contributing to fine lines and a loss of skin elasticity. Some of these foods include:
Drinking alcohol is extremely dehydrating (17). Anyone who has ever had one too many drinks can tell you all about the dry mouth they experience the next day. Imagine how the rest of your body feels?
In addition to this, alcohol depletes your body’s store of vitamin A (a powerful antioxidant), reduces your quality of sleep, and leads to broken blood vessels in your face (18).
Simple carbohydrates trigger advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to develop. AGEs cause the collagen fibers in your skin to become weak and stiff, causing your skin to lose its firmness and sag (19).
Processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, and bacon are high in nitrates, sodium, and saturated fats. These are linked to increased inflammation which dehydrates the skin and weakens collagen (20).
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. And because of that, it’s crucial to give it the nutrients it needs—daily.
Consider these 5 edible beauty products your new (and very much improved) skincare routine. Get ready to hear, “Wow, you never age! What’s your skincare routine?”
And when they ask that, be sure to send them this article ;)
As a doctor of Physical Therapy, Senior Wellness Expert, and co-founder of NativePath, Dr. Walding has helped millions of people improve their quality of life from the inside out—by speaking, writing, and educating others on how to live life a little more #OnThePath.
Sources
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against illness and disease. And it’s one of the major ways your body gets rid of the buildup of toxins. But if your skin is constantly overloaded by toxic ingredients in your skin care products, it makes it hard for it to do its job.[1]
From the time you get up in the morning and start your routine, you use anywhere from 9 to 15 personal care products. That adds up to about 168 ingredients according to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).[2]
But the number of products you use each day isn’t the issue. It’s the number of toxic ingredients in those skin care products.
Do you know the worst offenders hiding in your products?
Here are the top 9 toxins you need to protect you and your family from most.
Do you know that sudsy lather you get when you wash your hair?
This classic “soapy” feel is caused by sulfates. Sulfates are harsh chemical detergents that break up oil and grease. You’ll find conflicting information about how harmful sulfates are to your health. But they can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs. Sulfates can also make oily skin even oilier, causing breakouts. And dry skin even drier, causing contact dermatitis and eczema.[3]
Studies also show that SLES – formulated to be less harsh than SLS – is created by combining SLS with the chemical ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. This combo produces a toxic compound called 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane can cause a wide range of health issues like liver and kidney damage, reproductive dysfunction, and breast cancer.[4] But you won’t find this ingredient listed on your labels because it’s considered a byproduct of manufacturing, and so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require it.[5]
Here’s the thing: SLS and SLES are not vital ingredients in products for them to be effective. We’ve just gotten used to that lathery feel! So, look for ones that say “sulfate-free,” especially if your skin is dry or oily.
SLS and SLES are found in:
Up next are some of the worst offenders – phthalates.
Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals found in hundreds of products. They’re used to make your fragrances last longer, moisturize and soften your skin, and keep nail polish from cracking. While those sound like benefits, they come with serious risks. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, and they may damage your reproductive system by messing with your hormones.[6], [7]
But be careful when you check product ingredients because they may not list phthalates. Companies have found a loophole.[8] They’re able to simply list “fragrance” as one of the ingredients. And fragrances often contain phthalates – but unless you know that, you could be exposing yourself to phthalates without realizing it. It’s best to look for products that actually say “phthalate-free” to be sure you’re avoiding them.
Phthalates are found in:
Parabens are used because they’re cheap, not because they’re good for your skin.
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives. They’re added to prevent mold and extend the shelf life of products.
As you can imagine, preservatives aren’t good for your highly absorbent skin!
Parabens are also a synthetic compound called xenoestrogens that mimic the estrogen your body produces.[9] And they’re endocrine disruptors. Parabens harm reproductive organs in both men and women. And they’re linked to breast cancer.[10]
Studies show that when parabens combine with your body’s natural human growth factor, heregulin, they become 100 times more potent. This combination can cause breast cancer cells to grow rapidly.[11]
Parabens are found in:
You want to smell good. I get it. We all do. But the thing is, there’s actually nothing good about synthetic fragrances.
Synthetic fragrances are one of the most common contact allergens. The problem is, there’s no way for you to know what’s causing the allergy. There can be as many as 200 different chemicals in just one fragrance. And the fragrance industry has a stock of 3,100 chemical ingredients made from artificial materials and compounds – often petrochemicals.[12]
Petrochemicals are made from petroleum, which is crude oil. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be putting anything with crude oil on my skin. Your skin absorbs these toxic chemicals from your products. So they can accumulate in your body and cause all sorts of health issues from central nervous system disorders to cancer to hormone disruption. Especially concerning for pregnant women, the harmful effects of these chemicals in cosmetics and beauty products are linked to birth defects.[13]
Synthetic fragrances are found in:
Triclosan and Triclocarban have gotten a bad rap recently – and for good reason.
Triclosan and Triclocarban are used as an antimicrobial in your products. They’re also a known carcinogen and can cause reproductive and endocrine dysfunction.[14]
There was a time when you could find these toxic chemicals in a ton of products. Fortunately, in 2016 – effective September 2017 – the FDA made a final ruling that products containing triclosan and triclocarban are no longer allowed to be marketed. It states that they’re “not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded.” [15]
Companies had a year to remove these toxic chemicals from their products or take them off the market. This means that if you bought any of your personal care products before September 2018, they could still have these toxic chemicals in them. So make sure to check those labels.
Triclosan and Triclocarban are found in:
Let’s keep this poisonous toxin in chemistry labs and out of our beauty cabinets.
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in products. It’s classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer – part of the World Health Organization.[16] Cancer researchers predict that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.[17] I know statistics like this are alarming but use them to motivate yourself to seriously reduce your exposure to carcinogens.
One in five cosmetic products has formaldehyde or ingredients that release formaldehyde according to the FDA.[18] This makes it tricky to know if your products have formaldehyde in them because it’s not usually listed as “formaldehyde” in the ingredients. So you need to become a bit of a detective when reading those labels.
Here’s a list from the EWG of seven harmful ingredients to look for: [19]
Formaldehyde is found in:
Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are two really long names that basically mean they make your products last longer.
Both BHA and BHT are used as preservatives and antioxidants. They’re commonly used to extend the shelf life of personal care products. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that BHA and BHT are “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” [20]
There’s also strong evidence that they can disrupt your endocrine system by messing with your hormones.[21] Some research says that BHA and BHT are toxic to your cells. Even with this research, there are still conflicting opinions about the safety of BHA and BHT.[22] But there’s enough to raise concern, so it’s probably best to avoid them or limit your exposure.
BHA and BHT are found in:
DEA, TEA, and MEA often go hand-in-hand with sulfates, so if your products foam up, chances are you’ll find at least one of these chemicals in them.
They’re harsh detergents used as emollients and thickening agents in cosmetics and skin care products. Similar to 1,4-dioxane, toxic impurities called nitrosamines form when DEA, TEA, or MEA mix with certain chemical ingredients.[23] You’ll find nitrosamines in just about every type of personal care product.
Nitrosamines are irritating to your skin and cause allergic reactions. There’s also solid evidence linking nitrosamines to cancer and reproductive dysfunction. These toxins build up in the liver and bladder and cause chronic health issues.[24] One study shows that they may even interfere with the body’s ability to absorb choline, which is needed for fetal brain development.[25]
DEA, TEA, and MEA are found in:
Last, but certainly not least of the offenders you should avoid, is propylene glycol.
Propylene glycol is synthetic alcohol used in cosmetic and beauty products to enhance their conditioning effect. It helps your skin soak up the product – which also makes it easier for your skin to soak up toxins.[26] For some people, it can dry your skin out, similar to SLS and SLES.
There’s some controversy over just how harmful PG is to your health. Partly because it’s also an ingredient used in the non-toxic version of antifreeze.[27] And for me, that’s a very good reason to be leery about using products with PG on my skin. In small amounts, it can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs. But in larger amounts, studies show that its toxic effect can cause damage to your central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.[28]
The research on the safety of PG is limited and conflicting. But there’s enough concern about its potentially harmful effects that you should add it to your list of skin care ingredients to avoid.
PG is found in:
The reality is, you can’t avoid every synthetic ingredient out there, but you can limit your exposure to them by knowing what ingredients to look for in skin care. If you’re ever in doubt about the ingredients in your products, check them out.
I like to use the Think Dirty app. All you have to do is scan the barcode of a product and it gives you helpful information about it. This is what my wife and I use to find our own personal care products. It’s a really easy way to find out if there are toxic ingredients in your products. And it gives you cleaner alternatives.
It’s good to be informed about what you put on your skin so you can make the best decisions for your health. Are you surprised by how many of these harmful toxins are in your personal care products?
Join our community today by signing up for our newsletter. It’s where you’ll get all my insider tips on healthy living – like the best non-toxic products for your skin – delivered right to your inbox!
Resources:
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2004/06/15/exposures-add-up-survey-results/
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706089/SODIUM_LAURETH_SULFATE/
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/dioxane.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/phthalates
http://www.safecosmetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Not-So-Sexy-report.pdf
http://www.safecosmetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Not-So-Sexy-report.pdf
http://www.safecosmetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Not-So-Sexy-report.pdf
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics
https://www.ewg.org/research/exposing-cosmetics-cover/formaldehyde-releasers
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/butylatedhydroxyanisole.pdf
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705315/PROPYLENE_GLYCOL/#