The groomed man is a much more common occurrence nowadays and with this has come a boom in the men’s ‘grooming’(beauty) market. From beard oils, face creams, exfoliants to eye creams, there is a specific men’s product for a mans’ needs.
What comes with a lot of these products is a host of toxic chemicals. Men’s products are no different to women’s beauty products in that synthetic and potential toxic ingredients are added to make them smell, look and feel ‘good’. Therefore it is just as important for men to become savvy around what they are putting on their skin, after all it is their largest organ…
Check out our '10 nasties to avoid’ card for the most common ‘nasties’ you will want to avoid in skincare products but one product in particular which can contain some really unpleasant ingredients is shaving foam, cream or gel. Given that a lot of men use this every day (except those who are on-trend with a big beard) it may pay to re-think what you are using.
Ingredients to avoid in your shaving foam/cream/gel:
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Triethanolamine: Triethanolamine is a skin and respiratory toxicant, it’s also been linked to bladder and liver cancer, as well as cell mutation in testicles – something everyone wants to avoid!
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Glycols: these nasties are mostly derived from petroleum and I would recommend putting petroleum products in your car – not on your face! Common glycols include propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and ethylene glycol. They have been linked with dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis, and high levels may contribute to blood and kidney disorders.
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Sulfates (or sulphates): these are used to make products foam and are listed as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or ammonium lauryl sulfate, or by the abbreviations SLS or SLES. They have been linked with dry skin, rashes, dermatitis, and impaired hair growth.
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Fragrance: synthetic fragrance can be a mix of as many as 200 toxic ingredients and are one of the most common allergens having been linked with headaches, dizziness, rashes, and skin irritation.
Look groomed naturally
The good news is that you can steer clear of putting petroleum derivatives and other toxic chemicals on your skin and into your body as we have developed a moisturiser that is 100% natural and just for men!
Regenerating Mens Moisturiser
A nourishing moisturiser formulated to soften, protect and rejuvenate your skin.
- Helps to protect your skin from the elements with active botanicals.
- Assists with sunspots and maintaining skin health after skin cancer removal.
- Soothes and calms after shaving, helping to heal rashes and razor burn.
We also recommend the Essential Men's Cleanser and our Active Natural Deodorant as part of a man’s daily routine.
Sarah Cowan (Managing Director, The Herb Farm)
April 2016