Why Cetaphil is NOT the Best Choice
Wow! Has it been 2 months since we last posted? We are now into three months of 2016 and the first quarter of the new year has been awesome! Woo Hoo! I am grateful for all of you who have called, messaged or came in for treatments...
The common skin condition I have been treating lately is acne. Acne has always been a fun subject to tackle because although this condition is labeled with one label, everyone is different and so are their conditions. For those of you who have been in, you know I like to poll my new clients during the consultive part of their facial. The first question is, Are you under the care of a physician/dermatologist? AND what are you using at home? The combination of those two questions ALWAYS garners an answer that has to do with the use of Cetaphil or something called CeraVe.
When I was a junior aesthetician, I had gone through a period where I wanted to know what was in every OTC product. I went into stores to study packaging and what OTC products were telling consumers. The most difficulty I had was with the claims that Cetaphil was making as to how "gentle" their products were and how they were beneficial for many skincare issues including acne and rosacea. But lets take a look at the ingredient list:
Water, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben.
So many people believe that Cetaphil is healthy. Why else would their derm suggested it? Most clients tend to ignore ingredients completely. Cetyl alcohol is an emollient used in many cosmetics. It is essentially a wax. Propylene glycol is a common humectant ( it brings moisture from the air to the skin). It also enhances product and chemical penetration into the skin and blood stream. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent, and skin and eye irritant, that disturbs the healthy lipid barrier of the skin, and parabens are a group of preservatives being phased out for potential health risks which began with Breck Shampoo in the late 80's. So...besides the water in this product, all of the ingredienst are chemically manufactured!! PLUS, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and the three parabens have a seat on the "Dirty Dozen", a list of ingredients to avoid as potentially toxic. Who Knew, Right? Afterall your Dermatologist said to use it and they are a doctor. SO they have GOT to be right? Most doctors have a BIG love affair with Galderma, the offspring of Nestlé and L’Oréal, which also makes acne drugs like Differin.
What if My Skin breaks Out?
Let me just say, after all of that research, there’s actually nothing clean about this cleanser, it’s amazing to me though just how many clients think their skin will freak out if they use anything else. It may not irritate your skin, nor does it have fragrance, but it probably is not helping skin either. That’s because there’s nothing in Cetaphil that nurtures skin. No antioxidants that help fight free radical damage; no omega-rich plant seed oils that fortify the skin barrier; and not a drop of skin-calming botanicals. NADA, Zip, Zilch, No-how, no-nothing!! The Cetaphil Aftercare
More and more natural and organic brands have debuted and introduced cleaner cleansers that I can personally can get behind and suggest to my clients. These products range from products such as Burts Bees to my favorites, the Ormedic Line and the Acne Care from Image Skincare line (which includes brightening products and Vitamin C) from Image Skincare. Because I am paid not to and choose not to use retail products on my clients in the treatment room, the Ormedic Line has been my go to. I have an AWESOME Image Skincare rep who gifted me with several take home kits and I in return gifted them to clients who I have been treating with acne. Along with the Image Skincare products I also suggested that clients take the time to have their hormones tested. Acne can be hormonal and be passed down from the paternal side of the family at conception. In other words, if Dad had acne, it is possible he passed on a little too much Androgen hormone to you.
Here's how hormones influence Acne:
Hormones produce Excess sebum, (or oil).
Skin cells that shed become abnormally sticky and accumulate, or clog up, in the hair follicle
An increased number of the acne-causing bacterium Propionbacterium acnes, or P. acnes are produced.
It causes skin inflammation and painful tightness
The role of Androgens, the male hormones present in both men and women, can contribute to acne flares by overstimulating the oil glands and altering the development of skin cells that line hair follicles in the skin. In other words, if you are imbalanced your body naturally alters the development and migration of skin cells to the top layer of the skin. Hence, if you are not exfolaiting, the cells will stick together like cornflakes and honey and form infected pustules under the skin. YUCK!!
Is my skin Water or Oil Dry?
Just by the show of hands...how many of you know the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin? Most people don’t realize there is a difference, and, both conditions may feel the same. Here is a GREAT Article from "Just About Skin" which pretty much echos what I say to many clients, every week when dicussed Dry vs.Alipoid skin. It also breaks down the usage of occlusives very well and why you need more Fatty Acids in your diet! http://www.justaboutskin.com/dry-vs-dehydrated-skin/
In the end...
Knowing what is in the products you are putting on your face is important to your skin health. Get educated, be inspired by, and most of all CHOOSE WISELY. This also goes for my Lovees who concoct what they believe to be natural "remedies" using Pinterest and pinterest-like sites as their aesthetician.
Investing in better products is like being on a diet. You know choosing better ingredients is going to be better in the long run. And as I have told all of my clients, 75% of our skin's success is handled at home.
^j^
I look forward to your comments and feedback. Acne is always a good discussion and dont forget Consults are only $25. I use that $25 towards your initial treatment, so your invest in you is a Win-Win Situation for all! See you next month!
Angel
