Toothpaste, Shampoo and Acne
Shampoo and toothpaste are two household items that we use on a regular basis. Those of us that suffer from acne never think twice about what sort of influence these two products may have on our skin. If you currently suffer from acne, and are constantly having to deal with acne around your mouth and hairline that has been unresponsive to treatment, your choice of shampoo and/or toothpaste may be to blame. In order to protect your skin from further breakouts, you need to find a product that contains the right combination of ingredients. We will be exploring what makes a good product below.
Nearly all popular brands of shampoo and toothpaste contain a chemical by the name of sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. Before we discuss the harmful effects of this additive, we need to garner an understanding of where its utility has arisen from. Most homes in the United States are outfitted to receive hard water. This type of water has a substantial mineral content. With three-fourths of American homes receiving hard water, there is a large chance you have been cleansing your skin with this form of water. A quick check under the bathroom facet or showerhead should reveal whether or not your water is hard. An accumulation of mineral deposits is a sure indication of water hardness.
Hard water has one major deficiency: it does not properly react with soap and other cleaning products. Instead of forming a lather as it should, this water combines with soap to form soap scum. Essentially, it is unable to facilitate the cleaning effect which soap was designed for. Since an overwhelming portion of Americans only have access to hard water, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste manufacturers started to include sodium lauryl sulfate in their products. This chemical provides that lather effect which we are all accustomed to in the absence of softer water. This forcefully induced lather, however, comes at a cost.
SLS has proven to be a skin irritant in lab tests, even in smaller concentrations. Skin irritation is not something acne-prone individuals need in their quest for clear skin. It should obvious that SLS is an immensely harsh ingredient considering that it is used in industrial cleaning products. Although it has yet to be officially labeled a carcinogen, it is classified as a pesticide. Widespread use of SLS continues because of the minimal expense involved. Implementing additional water treatment devices to further soften the public water supply would prove far more expensive.
What can you do to spare your skin from the damaging effects of SLS? For one, avoid products that contain this harsh chemical. As you are shopping around, read product labels to ensure they lack this harmful ingredient. As far as shampoos are concerned, you also want to avoid alcohol and other drying chemicals. Toothpaste can be additionally problematic because it contains fluoride, a substance which strengthens tooth enamel yet acts as an irritant when in contact with the skin. If you experience persistent mouth acne, fluoride may be to blame. Try switching to natural toothpaste lacking this ingredient or talk to your dentist for alternative suggestions.
You can read more about does shampoo cause acne and toothpaste and sodium lauryl sulfate via our website.
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Filed under Pimples by Teddy Michaels
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