Nowadays, both men and women use a variety of products to thoroughly cleanse and protect their skin. However, recent findings have brought to light that some types of skin care products affect more than just your face! Microbeads have been found to be a menace to fish just looking for food, while certain types of sunscreen have ingredients that can cause damage to coral reefs. With this in mind, it’s important to check the ingredients in your skincare and make sure that you’re protecting both your face and the environment!
Microbeads in Exfoliating Scrubs
We all know that regular exfoliation is good for the skin – but is it good for the environment? Recent studies have found that microbeads in certain products have been causing long-term harm to the oceanic environment, as the plastic beads are so small that they escape water filtration systems and end up in the ocean, where they are mistaken as food by fish. These microbeads are not only harmful to fish, however – microbeads have been found in the flesh of fish caught for human consumption.
Dr. Ava and all of the board-certified dermatologists at Ava MD are environmentally conscious, and none of the products offered at the Ava MD store or in the AVAinfuse line include microbeads. We encourage all of our patients to either use natural exfoliants, such as the Volcanic Crystal Kukui Exfoliator from AVAinfuse, or to use peels instead, which accomplish the same goal of eliminating dead skin cells on the surface of the skin without the need for a physical exfoliant.
Chemicals in Sunscreen Damaging Coral Reefs
Oxybenzone, a chemical found in many sunscreens, has been found to cause damage to coral reefs when swimmers come near them. This may sound like bad news all around because, of course, sunscreen is highly important to prevent sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer, but luckily not all sunscreens rely on oxybenzone as the active ingredient. Look for sunscreens with titanium or zinc oxide instead, as these have not been found to cause coral damage.
Sunscreen is one of the most important pieces of skincare a person can use, and you should use it every day, not just when out in the sun or swimming. However, be sure to take care when choosing your sunscreen and make sure that it doesn’t contain oxybenzone! If you need help finding the right sunscreen for your skin type and lifestyle, our skilled aestheticians and dermatologists can assess your skin and assist you in finding the perfect one.
Schedule a Skincare Consultation at AvaMD in Los Angeles!
If you are concerned about your skincare routine, don’t hesitate to contact Ava MD for a personalized skincare consultation. We’ll help you find the right solutions for your skin! To learn more about our products or to schedule a consultation, just call 310.730-8081 (Beverly Hills) or 310-879-1819 (Santa Monica).
Next, read about Facing El Nino: Skincare in Extreme Weather