Our skin is an organ that absorbs everything on it, passing it along through the bloodstream. This includes any skincare products we apply to our skin. Mainstream skincare and beauty products have a long shelf life and look and smell nice. However, most of them contain chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, formaldehyde, fragrances and propylene glycol. These can trigger or exacerbate an array of problems including allergies, hormone disruption and can even act as irritants and carcinogens. When looking for skin care products, look for brands that are truly transparent and list ingredients you understand.