by Linda Chaé

We are the first generation of people ever exposed to such an unprecedented number of chemicals on a daily basis. There are now over 70,000 chemicals commercially produced in the U.S., and the number is increasing. Not only do we have “acceptable limits” of contaminants in our food, air and water, we are constantly "upping the ante." We come into contact with more than 500 chemicals and toxic substances every day, and the Sierra Club tells us that there are already approximately 200 chemicals in the average person’s body fat. It is not a question of ‘if’ we are carrying a burden of toxic compounds, but how much!

Many chemicals and their residues build up in the body’s tissues. Others do immediate damage and disappear, leaving no trace whatsoever (Living Healthy in a Toxic World, Steinman & Wisner, 1996). These chemicals include ingredients like PEGs, parabens, TEA, sodium laurel sulfate – frequently designated as ‘natural’ on the labels of personal care and cosmetic products but which are, in fact, synthetic and known age accelerators. They actually encourage wrinkles and sagging skin. Age accelerators include xeno-estrogens that increase wrinkle depth and thinning skin, loss of muscle memory and degeneration of connective tissue.

In an effort to stem the impact of chemical overload on the health of their citizens, California passed Senate Bill 484, the “California Safe Cosmetics Act”, in May of 2005. Other states are considering similar actions. Here are a few sources contributing to chemical "overload": pesticides, secondhand smoke, alcohol, fresh paint, scented products and perfumes, food preservatives and flavor enhancers, aerosols, cosmetics, new carpets, petroleum products, formaldehyde, outdoor pollutants, cleaning compounds, printing and office products.

The good news is that when the chemicals causing the appearance of aging are no longer used, the skin – the largest organ in the body – is able to recover. There are now high-performance products that are clean and free of negative health effects. YOU will see and feel the difference. Look and feel younger by eliminating unnecessary chemicals.

©2006