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During the winter months, dry skin is a common problem. Women, men, young, and old all can suffer from dry, flaky or even cracked skin. So, we reach for creams and lotions to ease the stiffness and redness and add some moisture.
But exactly what are you rubbing on your skin (the largest organ in your body)?
Whether it is one of the older name brands or the expensive department store beauty brand or even the brands that are dermatologist-developed, you may be doing more harm than good.
You might be rubbing formaldehyde on your skin without even knowing it, You can find formaldehyde in embalming fluid and formaldehyde in beauty cream and other personal care products.
Formaldehyde in Beauty Cream as a Preservative
The problem is that moisturizers have to have water in them to work. And anytime you have that much moisture, you run the risk of bacterial growth.
So, most manufacturers make their products “safe” by adding formaldehyde (gulp that’s embalming fluid folks) and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) like quarternium-15 or one of the parabens such as methylparaben or propylparaben.
These chemicals, which help prevent microbes from growing in water-based products, can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions.
Formaldehyde is such a great preservative that they use it to halt decomposition after death. I’ll pass on being embalmed while still alive. Parabens have been related to a host of cancers and have even been found present in breast cancer tumors. I’ll pass on the parabens.
Paraben Free and Formaldehyde Free Beauty Cream
What I won’t pass up is Vanicream Skin Cream. This super moisturizer is made by Pharmaceutical Specialties and is free of parabens, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, as well as other things to avoid like fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin and dyes. It is available in a light lotion and a regular cream formulation.
I keep the 16-ounce pump size of the moisturizing skin cream next to my bed. It’s great for rubbing on before you go to sleep. I keep another one in the bathroom to apply right after the shower, which is when dermatologists agree is the best time to apply your moisturizer.
Vanicream makes a Moisturizing Lotion and a Daily facial moisturizer that are the perfect formulation for application to the face if you like a light moisturizer under your make-up. Beware though, neither have any sunscreen protection.
So skip the embalming fluid, antifreeze (look for propylene glycol), and cancer-causing suspects and just moisture with Vanicream Skin Care products. Your skin and the rest of your organs will be glad you did.
Till next time
Cheryl
Cites Sources
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/formaldehyde/