Shampoo and toothpaste have become commonplace in our modern lifestyle. However, some have suffered at the hands of these products. For instance, those who suffer from acne never suspect that their favorite shampoo or bubblegum toothpaste may be inducing their acne breakouts. This is until their stubborn acne fails to respond to professional-grade treatments and they are forced to look at the less obvious culprits. Shampoo and toothpaste come into contact with our skin far more frequently than acne treatments. Hence, there is large possibility that they may be negatively influencing our skin. Acne-prone individuals need to take extreme caution while shopping for shampoo or toothpaste to ensure that they won’t be buying their way into new acne breakouts. In this article, we will be exploring some of the ingredients to be avoided in the battle for clear skin.
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 poses a major obstacle when it comes to skin care. This obstacle lies in the fact that it fails to properly react with cleaning products. When combined with soap, hard water forms soap scum, not a lather to provide a cleaning effect. Hard water does not provide the needed facilitation for soap, and consequently, makes cleaning anything a chore. To accommodate our overwhelming usage of hard water, shampoo and soap manufacturers included SLS in their products. This chemical provides that lather which we all like despite the high mineral content of our water. Unfortunately, this artificially induced lather 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.
There are some steps you can take to minimize the harmful effects of SLS. The most obvious is to avoid products that contain this ingredient. Carefully inspect shampoo, toothpaste, and soap labels before making a purchase. In the case of shampoos, you also want to avoid other harsh ingredients such as alcohol. Basic shampoos such as baby shampoo are a good fit for those suffering from acne. Toothpaste can pose more of a challenge in maintaining clear skin because it includes fluoride. Fluoride has been linked to skin irritation, and can commonly cause acne (or an acne-like condition) around the mouth. Those that suffer from persistent acne in this area should switch to a natural toothpaste lacking this ingredient, or consult their dentist for additional options.