Everything You Need To Know About Getting Onto A Toxin-Free Skincare Regime

Contrary to popular belief, our skin is a very intelligent organ, withstanding adverse climates and acting as a barrier to avoid absorption of external elements. Experts have revealed that only 60% of the products that we apply to the skin get absorbed. However, the skin on the face is able to absorb six times more, urging you to keenly focus on the constituents of your skincare products.

The advent of technology and increased exposure to novel mechanisms has propelled a paradigm shift in the realm of skincare. The transition that has taken place from chemical-infused products to non-toxic ones is the next step towards reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Skincare experts including Dr Simal Soin - Founder Aayna Clinic, Dr Jaishree Sharad - Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dr Rinky Kapoor - Cosmetic Dermatologist, give you the low-down on toxic-free skincare. As self-explanatory as the term is, ‘toxin-free’ products are those that are free from toxins and are composed of natural, preservative-free and organic ingredients. Getting onto a toxin-free skincare regime is one way to listen to, understand and purify our skin. However, the shift to toxin-free mustn’t be haste. It is advisable to gradually introduce the skin to such products, keeping a close tab on whether it is suitable for the skin or not. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.

Before delving into the multitude of benefits of toxin-free skincare, one must first get acquainted with the dangers of not. Harsh elements such as carcinogenic products (like lead) cause long term damage to the skin and even the internal organs. Increased vulnerability to skin cancers, allergies, rashes, and even thyroid, are some of the many downsides of chemical product application.

To start off, one must avoid products that contain phthalates, parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and propylene glycol, lead, sulphates, carbon black, triclosan and GMO, gluten, alcohol and artificial colours and fragrances. Instead look for natural oils such as jojoba, grapeseed, lavender, safflower, almond, apricot, jasmine etc. and certifications such as ECOCERT, USDA, BDIH, FDA etc. on the packaging.

Bear in mind that sometimes less is more. Too much of a particular ingredient in a product may just do more harm than good. For instance, excess jasmine can be toxic and tomato, while it may lead to skin-tightening, can serve as an allergen too. Besides, if all this may be too much of a hassle, why not DIY? You can make your own face mask, scrub and hair mask using preservative-free kitchen ingredients including turmeric, milk, cream, yogurt, cocoa powder, baking soda, oats, honey, sugar and virgin coconut oil!

We have curated for you a list of expert-approved toxin-free products for the skin:

Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Milk, Rs. 2,100 (approx)