Skin is the largest organ on our body, and we need to treat it with love and care. We often only focus on our face, but did you know the skin on your body is thicker than the skin on your face and needs more intense moisturizers? Knowing that, how often do you regularly moisturize your body?
Liquid body wash or shower gel is a relative newcomer to the spa/body care world. It’s an alternative to bar soap, but are conventional body washes actually more hydrating? Let’s talk about the ingredients that could be hiding in a body wash formula that might be doing you more harm than good.
We tend to gravitate towards a body wash when we want something that feels more luxurious and moisturizing than bar soap. But some of those things we’re craving can actually contribute to drier, more irritated skin. It is easy to grab a body wash at the supermarket with a delicious smell that reminds us of some kind of dessert. Who wouldn’t want that? Unfortunately, conventional body washes may contain detergents that strip the oils from your skin and cause it to dry out. With many added scents, they became harsh for our skin and don’t provide the nutrition that our skin needs.
Ingredients in Conventional Body Wash That Might Not Be Doing You Any Favors
Petroleum
Often used as a “moisturizing” ingredient in body wash, petroleum (or petroleum or mineral oil) is literally made from gas. It’s a semi-solid liquid that is considered emollient and conditioning. Due to this process, petroleum can be contaminated with toxic chemicals. The EU mandates that for cosmetic use, the petrolatum’s full refining history must be known and proven to be non-carcinogenic. Unfortunately, the US sets no requirements on refinement and PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) content in the petrolatum used in personal care products. If you’ve ever used petroleum jelly on your lips, you might notice that it doesn’t penetrate your skin in a truly hydrating way. Instead, it sits on top of your outer layer, blocking moisture from getting in. If you have sensitive skin, this can lead to irritation by not getting the moisture you need.
SLS/Surfactants
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is one of the more common surfactants, or foaming agents, found in conventional body wash. It’s used to create that luxurious lather we’ve been conditioned to crave - more suds means we’re getting cleaner, right? Not really. Instead, those foaming agents can be extra drying and irritating on the skin, as they knock the skin’s pH out of balance. So you’re left with dehydrated skin that needs to be rebalanced. SLS can also be cross-contaminated with potentially toxic manufacturing impurities like 1,4-dioxane.
Parabens
Synthetic preservatives are in conventional body wash too. They’re designed to make the formula shelf-stable for a long time. But, methyl, propyl, ethyl, and butylparaben can mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.
Artificial fragrances and colors
Both artificial fragrances and colors are often made up of chemical compounds that don’t have to be disclosed under Trade Secret laws; meaning they can contain ingredients that are banned for use in personal care products. Synthetic colors are often made from coal tar, and some can contain heavy metal salts, including lead, which is a known human toxin. So that rainforest-scented, bright green gel we’re supposed to caress into our skin? It’s been linked to headaches, nausea, and more.
All this knowledge doesn’t have to be scary when you know more, you can choose better (or at least know what you’re really getting when you stock up on conventional body wash). Getting clean doesn’t have to be complicated. We just have to be mindful of what we put on our skin. Try SenePlex Body Wash is a gentle but rich, cleansing foaming gel that will moisturize your entire body. It also restores the pH balance of your skin. The body wash is made up of an Aloe Vera juice base for soothing skin. The molecules that make up the body wash bind to oil impurities and bind to water on the other end, which washes the dirt and oil away without using harsh detergents.
KEY INGREDIENTS AND BENEFITS
SenePlex Complex - A kinetic enzyme that increases cellular renewal.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera) most known for moisturizing, soothing, and healing. Recent studies indicate that Aloe Vera gel can enhance and accelerate cellular growth.
Cymbidium Grandiflorum (Orchid) Flower Extract a plant native to the South Pacific, which has long been a source of excellence for preparing emollient products. This powerful anti-oxidant provides free-radical protection and maximum moisturization. The orchid extract is very effective as a sunscreen.
Algae (Seaweed) Extract hydrates, protects skin from the sun and softens the skin. It is essential to penetrate the top layer of the stratum corneum and enhance the skin’s ability to repair itself.
Glucosamine HCL enhances the body’s ability to manufacture collagen.
Sodium Hyaluronate a ubiquitous carbohydrate polymer that is part of the extracellular matrix. It is a humectant about 100 times more effective as a humectant than Glycerin.
A complete list of ingredients can be found here.
Sara was born and raised in the Czech Republic. In 2012, she moved to the US and worked many jobs but never felt fulfilled, which lead her to share her story and her passion for fitness (former fitness professional), nutrition tips (vegan) and makeup. She is also a new mom. Sara and her husband welcomed their baby boy in June 2020.
Sara is a makeup junkie at heart and decided to start her own business to help women look and feel their best. She loves supporting other business moms feel beautiful inside and out as they work to create their own destinies. You could find out more about her HERE.
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