Toxins in Skincare: In conversation with Native Child’s Sonto Pooe
Toxins in skincare and other personal care products creep up in many ways. Consumers are often unaware what they are putting on their skin or scalp. Our skin is the largest organ of the human body as well as the body’s first line of defence. Therefore, it needs to be taken care of properly.
Furthermore, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in a recent study revealed that 79% of beauty products out of 4,011 marketed to Black women contained hazardous ingredients. Furthermore, only 21% of these were considered a low hazard. Following this, a Harvard Study also surfaced about how harmful chemicals in personal care products are linked to reproductive issues, fibroids and cancers.
Therefore, Hello Lifestyle Magazine spoke to the Sonto Pooe. She is the founder of Native Child, a brand founded on providing natural, toxin-free hair and skincare for women and men. Here’s what she said on the issue of toxins in the beauty industry.
All You Need to Know About Hazardous Ingredients
Personal care products do not require the Food and Drug Administration’s approval before hitting the market. Whilst there are guidelines about how many chemicals can be used in them, and in what quantities, there is little else quelling hazardous substances in our shampoos, face creams and body soaps.
The EWG recognise seven broad ingredients that are hazardous:
– Formaldehydes, a known carcinogen
– Mercury, which damages the kidneys and nervous system
– Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system and damage the reproductive system
– Parabens, which also disrupt hormones and the reproductive system
– Long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl, which have been linked to cancer
– M- and O-phenylenediamines, known to irritate skin, damage DNA and cause cancer
– Metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and nickel, which can lead to poisoning.
Furthermore, some of these chemicals do not have to be disclosed on personal care products’ packaging or under listed ingredients if they are components of what is termed “fragrance”. The European Union and the United States of America are more active in the fight against hazardous ingredients in personal care products. However, the EWG revealed a map which shows South Africa is lacking in this regard.
How Native Child is Leading the Fight Against Toxins
Embracing the Natural
Founded formerly in 2016, Native Child was one of the first brands in South Africa to offer completely organic and toxin-free hair and skincare. Their products are all free of parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances, colours, mineral oils, silicon, petroleum jelly and sodium chloride. Thus, Native Child leads the way to a greener future. It contains little to no hazardous ingredients throughout their skincare and hair care ranges.
Therefore, curly, coily and kinky hair can be embraced without being straightened, dried out or damaged through braiding and other hairstyles. Skincare products include plant-based materials like activated charcoal, avocado, aloe vera, mint and coconut.
Creating Consumer Awareness
Pooe says the beauty industry has not knuckled down on creating a list of banned ingredients because consumers are not pressuring them to do so. Pooe continues that “brands respond to the market” but “the market is continuing to allow [hazardous ingredients] in products”.
Therefore, consumer awareness around harmful ingredients in skincare and hair care needs to increase before a change in the industry will be seen. Additionally, she says that “it is up to every consumer to do their own research and to hold brands accountable”. A quick google search will reveal which ingredients are considered low and high hazards. Thereby, consumers are enabled to be active buyers and participants in their right to healthy products.
Therefore, Pooe is calling all consumers of beauty products to only buy and use personal care products that contain non-hazardous ingredients. This way, the market will be forced to regulate which ingredients can and cannot be used in products. Thereby, a safer future will be guaranteed for all.
PS: We have tried Native Child’s shampoo, conditioner and repair serum for curly hair and it works wonders. Our hair was left feeling bouncy, soft and naturally textured, just the way it was always meant to be!
