Skin Evolution

I have been talking for years about how our skin, as our largest organ, gets abused and often overlooked when it comes to healing. Most of the time we don’t even notice it unless it itches or has a rash and then we usually just slather on some ointment to suppress whatever is trying to express itself to get our attention. Our skin is very forgiving, it doesn’t even protest when we smother it with chemicals and toxins day after day. Our skin still works to protect us to the best of its ability even amidst the abuse. You say,” but I am using this “organic” lotion, isn’t that OK?” A close look at the ingredient label will tell us whether the product you have been using is nourishing your skin or sending it into defensive maneuvers.
The first thing you need to know is that all lotions are emulsions between oil and water. The water component of the emulsion must be preserved otherwise it will grow mold in 3 days, and to date the safest preservative is sodium borate (borax) and even it’s safety is questionable (skin deep rates it a 4-6) soduim borate ,plus it will only preserve at best for 6 months. Another option is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). In double blind tests, they found that the main preserving agent in grapefruit seed extract is the triclosan or parabens used to preserve the GSE itself grapefruit seed extract It does not have any preservation qualities of it’s own.
Rosemary oleoresin is an oil soluble anti-oxidant that cannot preserve the water component. Tetrasodium EDTA is used as a “gentle” preservative but hey guess what EDTA is??? From Wiki: “EDTA is mostly synthesized from 1,2-diaminoethane (ethylenediamine), formaldehyde (methanal), water and sodium cyanide.[2] This yields the tetra sodium salt, which can be converted into the acidic forms by acidification.” Yum. Petroleum, formaldehyde AND cyanide. Yowza. That sounds gentle.
Remember also, that 70% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream without the benefit of filtration from the liver and kidneys. Anyone want to mainline some formaldehyde?

If you would not eat it you should not put it on your skin, period.

At this point in time, there is no 100% safe preservative for the water component in a lotion. So why take the risk? The main complaint that I always hear from people regarding natural moisturizers and body butters is that they are oily and don’t absorb well. Well, that is a really good point. No one wants to feel greasy all day long so what is the solution? Heal your skin. Damaged skin cannot absorb like healthy skin. Skin that has become dependant on chemical absorption enhancers in lotions cannot function optimally, it has forgotten how. Luckily, the wisdom in our bodies cannot be suppressed for long. Within a week of applying a 100% food-grade moisturizer to your skin you will notice the difference. Your skin will begin to drink it in instead of it just sitting on top. You will also learn that because it is such a nutrient rich product that you don’t need to apply as much to get the desired effect, dewy soft moisturized skin. Feed your skin and heal your body at the same time. It's a good place to start!