The Truth Lurking in Your Products

My journey started with a simple question: What are these ingredients doing to my skin? What I found was startling. A single, high-end foundation I once used—at a staggering price—contained over thirty ingredients. While some were natural, a majority were not, and the difference was a stark reminder of the path I had left behind.

Consider these common culprits found in many conventional skincare and makeup products:

• Parabens: Look for ingredients ending in -paraben (e.g., Methylparaben, Propylparaben). These are often used as preservatives but are known to mimic estrogen, potentially disrupting your body’s hormonal balance and being linked to certain health concerns. The very purpose of a preservative is to prevent microbial growth, but at what cost to our bodies? Natural preservatives, while sometimes less shelf-stable, offer a safer way to protect our products without introducing these controversial compounds.
• Petroleum-based ingredients: Silicones and mineral oils are often used to create a smooth texture, but they can clog pores and sit on the skin, preventing it from breathing. These occlusive ingredients don’t actually nourish your skin; they simply create a slick, temporary barrier. Over time, this can lead to breakouts and a lack of true moisture retention. When you see words like Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, and Mineral Oil, you’re looking at a derivative of crude oil. Our skin, a living organ, deserves to be fed with ingredients it can recognize and absorb.
• Synthetic fragrances: Listed as Fragrance or Parfum, these can contain a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals that may trigger allergies, headaches, and irritation. Because “fragrance” is a trade secret, companies are not required to list the hundreds of chemicals that might be hidden under that single word. This lack of transparency is a major concern for those with sensitive skin or who are trying to avoid a host of potential allergens. Many of these compounds are also suspected endocrine disruptors.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A common foaming agent found in cleansers and soaps. While it creates a satisfying lather, it can be extremely irritating and strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and compromised barrier function.
• Synthetic Dyes and Colors: Often labeled with FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number, these pigments are made from petroleum or coal tar sources. They have been linked to skin irritation and can be a concern for many people, especially when used in products for sensitive areas like the eyes.

This isn’t to scare you; it’s to empower you. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and everything you put on it is absorbed. My belief is that skincare should be a nourishing act, not a gamble. By becoming a label detective, you’re not just shopping; you’re taking control of your health.

 The Natural Alternative: Skincare You Can Understand

This is where my healing journey and my business, JBHomemade, were born. My “therapy” is in our gardens, in the gentle alchemy of creating something with my own hands that I can trust. Every product is a recipe I know by heart—a testament to the simple power of plants.

For instance, a natural foundation can be crafted with just a handful of ingredients:

• Natural Butters & Oils: Almond oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter provide a deeply moisturizing base.
• Herbal Pigments: Cocoa powder and cinnamon give us natural color, while zinc oxide and arrowroot powder offer a silky smooth finish and even sun protection.

It’s a world away from the chemical-laden lists on the back of conventional products. This is skincare that feels like a ceremony, not a science experiment. You’re not just applying a product; you’re connecting with the earth.

I’m on a journey to create my own line of natural foundations and powders, and I can’t wait to share them with you. In the meantime, I hope this page inspires you to start your own botanical journey.

What the Experts Say

According to studies cited by the Environmental Working Group and the Huffington Post, many conventional beauty products contain endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and allergens — including mercury in mascara and parabens in lip gloss. These chemicals don’t just sit on your skin. They absorb, accumulate, and affect your health over time.