With so many topical CBD products on the market you may be wondering what makes Pure Embodiment the best choice for you.  With the skin being the largest organ of the body, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.   At Pure Embodiment, we are committed to sourcing clean, honest ingredients that we are proud to use on our own family. With this in mind, of course all Pure Embodiment CBD products are free from Paraben, Phthalates, and Sulfates.  We don’t use artificial fragrances to scent our products, but rather rely on pure organic essential oils chosen not only for their soothing aroma, but also for their health properties. 

Parabens, Phthalates, and Sulfates –Oh my!

You’ve probably heard the buzz words Parabens, Phthalates, and Sulfates and seen the chemicals blacklisted on an increasing number of products, but do you really know what they are and why they should be avoided?  It’s time to take a closer look at these chemicals and learn why you too should avoid them in your topical products. 

Parabens

Parabens are a preservative found in many beauty products to extend the shelf life of the product.  You can easily recognize (and avoid) them on the ingredient list because they end in paraben.  Although it hasn’t been proven that parabens directly cause cancer and the FDA has determined that parabens are safe to use in skincare products, many scientists and consumers feel they might not be the wisest choice. 

Parabens are able to penetrate the skin’s barrier into our bodies.  With the chemical structure of parabens being so similar to that of estrogen, it’s able to fit into the estrogen receptors in the body at the cellular level.  Once in our bodies, parabens can potentially disrupt our delicate endocrine system and interfere with out hormonal production by mimicking estrogen and potentially leading to breast and other forms of cancer.  While you might be able to extend the shelf life of a product using parabens, in our opinion, it just isn’t worth the potential risks to the body.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals that keep plastic soft and flexible and change the texture and quality of skincare products.  Phthalates are similar to parabens in that they can be harmful to our endocrine system, possibly causing reproductive and developmental concerns (especially in men).  They have also been indicated as causing fat-related health risks.  While phthalates are widely used in the U.S., the European Union has banned cosmetic companies from incorporating them in their products.  Just inspect the label for ingredients ending in phthalate and put them back on the shelf.  

Sulfates

Sulfates are a large group of chemicals that are used as cleansing agents in a variety of beauty and personal care products, but you probably know them best for giving shampoo its sudsy bubbles. Sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils and its moisture barrier, which can cause dry, itchy skin. Tests also show Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can penetrate systemic tissue (brain, heart, liver, etc.) and show long term retention in those tissues.  Another ingredient that you will want to check for when reviewing ingredients on your product’s label.  

Click here to learn more about why you should avoid products containing these potentially harmful chemicals.

Artificial Fragrances

Fragrances in lotions can contain hundreds of chemicals to produce a distinct scent.  These chemicals have been associated with allergic reactions as well as hormone disruptions.  Considering companies do not have to disclose all fragrance ingredients on the label, it is best to avoid synthetic fragrances altogether. Get more info here!

Essential Oils Rather Than Fragrances

What sets us apart at Pure Embodiment is that our products have a light, minty aroma that dissipates quickly by using essential oils rather than fragrances. This not only allows for a fantastic smelling topical CBD product, but the essential oils also enhance the natural properties of the CBD to create a powerful pain relieving formula.

Peppermint

One of the best-known benefits of peppermint is its ability to soothe and cool the skin. Peppermint oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic properties allowing it to relieve muscle pain, nerve pain, muscle cramps, and itching.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic that helps to soothe both inflammation and pain while helping to rejuvenate stiff and sore muscles. It is also a vasodilator, which helps widen blood vessels and improve blood circulation encouraging the free flow of blood to the muscles.

Lavender

Lavender is well known for its calming scent but it also has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties making it perfect for muscle stress and tension.  It’s also known to improve blood circulation and ease swelling.

Menthol

Menthol is an organic compound obtained from freezing the oils in peppermint. Menthol works to help relieve pain by producing a numbing/tingling effect, stimulate circulation by widening blood vessels and allowing extra nutrients to be sent to the area, and providing a cooling sensation. 

The Bottom Line

At Pure Embodiment our products are formulated without using parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or artificial fragrances.  Our products are honestly formulated with the finest ingredients to produce quality skin care products. We believe there is no need to sacrifice safety for clinical efficacy.  We use safe alternatives to parabens, phthalates, sulfates and fragrances even if it may cost a little more in our formulation.  We are proud to offer the best ingredients to our customers and are sure you’ll love the results! For more information on what’s in our products, be sure to check out the products below.