Halloween Beauty Trick or Treat

You probably no longer fear the monster under your bed or the ghost in your closet, but what about the villains lurking in your bathroom cabinet? We unmask harmful ingredients and list the all natural skin care alternatives just in time for Halloween. Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic ingredients, many household beauty brands continue to sell products that are bad for your skin, health and the environment. Nasty chemicals may trick you with short-term results, but if used over a long period of time the after-effects can be far more ghastly and gruesome. At Sonäge we live by The New Natural™ and our commitment to creating the safest and most environmental-friendly natural products for skin care without compromising on efficacy. You don’t need potions concocted of slime and gunk to recover your youth and replenish your skin’s powers – use these all natural treats instead:

This nasty trick preservative was formerly used as an industrial degreaser but is now found in most products that are foam boosting. However do not be fooled by the pretty bubbles as SLS absorbs into the body and irritates skin, lungs, and eyes. When it interacts with certain chemicals it has the potential to have detrimental effects on health such as kidney and respiratory damage, birth defects, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity.

 TREAT: Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet Almond Oil extends the shelf life of natural products for skincare by reducing the rate of oxidation of oils. An antioxidant that boasts a whole array of advantages, such as clearing up clogged pores, boosting immunity, relieving itching, and wrinkle prevention while leaving skin feeling soft and supple. Due to its multitude of benefits, we use Sweet Almond Oil in many of our crèmes. We love Soothing Cleansing Crème for hydration and improving skin’s moisture retention.

 TREAT: Jojoba Seed Oil

Jojoba Seed Oil is another antioxidant that keeps ingredients fresh in products. It is a natural protein for the skin and reserves and retains moisture. This helps to improve flexibility and elasticity to promote a youthful glow. It is used in many of the products in our Hydrate line, like the Saffron Energizing Vitamin Mask– an antioxidant moisturizing nutritive mask, which is excellent prep under makeup for a dewy glow.

While there has been growing awareness in the last few years, parabens are still found in many cosmetic products to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in cosmetic products. Research suggests that parabens increase the risk of breast cancer and cause hormone disruption and immune-toxicity.

 TREAT: Willow Leaf Extract

A natural preservative that is anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. This superpower antioxidant beauty treat enhances cell turnover, which both reduces breakouts and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles. We use it in our Vitality Nourishing Facial Oil to preserve the 10 divine essential oils derived from flowers and botanicals.

 TREAT: Honeysuckle Extract

This treat is as enchanting as the name suggests. Another anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory natural preservative that keeps our Biosyl Peptide Booster fresh.

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With increased scrutiny on parabens, MIT is becoming a popular alternative as a cheap preservative in beauty products. Cheap, but by no means safe. MIT is restricted in the EU, Canada and Japan as it can be toxic for the immune system and brain. Some researchers also suggest it could seriously damage the nervous system.

 TREAT: Burdock Root Extract

A great natural preservative that has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is ideal for relieving dry skin – especially important as winter approaches. It preserves the natural ingredients in our Facial Rinse that improves the moisture-binding and absorption ability of the skin.

TREAT: Rosemary Oil Extract

Rosemary Oil Extract acts as a natural antioxidant and is wonderful for adding life to other oils. It is healing and stimulates cell renewal.

TREAT: Bitter Orange Extract

This natural preservative is soothing and great for people who suffer from acne or breakouts. The Botánica Soufflé Crème contains Bitter Orange Extract and especially targets this skin concern.

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TRICK: Diethanolamine (DEA)

DEA is commonly used in shampoos, skin care and cosmetics to create a rich lather. It is harmless on its own, but when it reacts with other common ingredients found in beauty products it produces Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). This is an extremely dangerous compound that absorbs into the skin and has been linked to stomach, bladder and intestinal cancers.

TREAT: Sesame Seed Oil

Sesame Seed Oil is an effective emollient that leaves the skin soft, smooth and conditioned. It is completely biodegradable and a very stable natural surfactant with a long shelf life. We love it in our Hydrating Cleanser for its all natural nourishing and revitalizing effect that removes even the toughest (Halloween) makeup.

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 TRICK: Plastic Microbeads

Plastic Microbeads are tiny, solid, plastic particles that are not only terrible for your skin, but also for the environment. So much so, that a bill was passed last year to ensure they are banned from all consumer products by 2017. Microbeads are an enormous contributor to microplastic pollution in the ocean and marine animals often confuse them for fish eggs (not a pleasant thought if you are a sushi-lover!). Another short-term trick disguised as an effective cleanser or exfoliators, but in reality are super abrasive and make micro tears in the skin. The beads then get stuck in the pores and can lead to breakouts.

 TREAT: Locust Bean Husk

Locust Bean Husk is a non-abrasive natural alternative for exfoliating and hydrating. By removing dead skin cells, it accelerates the recovery of stressed tissue and activates the skin’s natural repair system. It smoothes and softens while also reducing redness and inflammation and increases your skin’s resilience. It’s what makes Gommage Exfoliating Gel such an effective all natural substitute.

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 TRICK: Formaldehyde Releasers

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical disguised as different ingredient names to trick consumers. Many skin care and cosmetic products still use “Formaldehyde Releasers,” which means the toxic chemical permeates into the product while it sits in your cabinet. Beware! Formaldehyde is highly noxious and can have serious effects on your immune and nervous systems.

TREAT: Tea Tree Extract

Tea Tree Extract inhibits growth of microorganisms giving it anti-viral properties. It is a natural alternative to preserving ingredients in products. It is especially powerful as an excellent natural cure for acne.

TREAT: Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil prevents evaporation and another wonderful natural preservative for keeping products fresh. It is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and soothes and hydrates the skin. Our convenient Glow To Go contains Lavender Oil – keeping the pads fresh and clean for your skin.

TREAT: Limon Peel Extract

Limon Peel Extract is another all-natural anti-bacterial beauty treat that prevents evaporation in products. It helps to brighten skin and is great for skin toning and tightening.

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TRICK: Mineral Oil

Mineral Oil suffocates the skin and restricts its natural cell development, which causes premature aging. Coating the skin with mineral oil does nothing to protect or replenish it. Research suggests that it can lead to various cancers and immune-toxicity.

TREAT: Shea Butter

Shea Butter is a plant-based natural thickening agent and emollient. It deeply moisturizes and nourishes to stimulate collagen production and strengthen skin. A key ingredient in A Plus Longevity Complex, which paves the way for plumper, healthier, vibrant skin.

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TRICK: Chemicals found in sunscreen: Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate

These chemicals absorb into the body and can result in increased production of free radicals. Free radials are highly reactive and can cause serious DNA damage.

TREAT: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

These naturally occurring minerals are the safest and most effective ingredients for sun protection. For daily use we recommend Presage Moisturizer SPF 15, which includes both mineral-based sunscreen ingredients.

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 TRICK: Retinol

This popular anti-aging chemical may not be as toxic as some of the other tricks listed, but can have equally drastic effects if used carelessly. Many people have difficulty tolerating Retinol because it can be highly irritating and drying. It promotes skin cell turnover, but the new skin is delicate and should not be exposed to the sun, as it will severely increase risk of skin cancer. Some brands market daytime skin care or makeup products with Retinol. This big beauty no-no will age the skin faster as it is susceptible to the sun’s rays, regardless of the SPF protection. Retinol should only ever used in a nighttime routine and users should still do their research. Cleansers that boast to have Retinol are useless as the chemical is washed away before it is able to be on the skin long enough to take any effect.

TREAT: Moth Bean Extract

Moth Bean Extract (or Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract) is a natural alternative to Retinol. It is a non-irritating, effective and stimulates cell renewal. We use it in our High Endurance Crème to promote vital tissue repair and encourage new cell growth.

TREAT: Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring compound that can retain over 1000 times its weight in water. Its super hydrating properties replenish skin’s moisture and it is a great all natural alternative for preventing signs of premature aging.

TREAT: Green Tea Extract

Green Tea Extract is a potent anti-inflammatory antioxidant that prevents collagen breakdown, reduces UV damage and soothes redness and irritation. We love NMF Hyaluronic Serum as it contains both Hyaluronic Acid and Green Tea Extract. 

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