Penetration Enhancers: Propylene glycol is considered "a natural ingredient?"

Penetration Enhancers: Propylene glycol is considered "a natural ingredient?"

Propylene glycolIt's common knowledge that what you eat affects how your body functions. What most people don't think about is how what you put on your skin also affects your health.Your skin is the largest organ of your body.  Some of the major functions include protects organs/body from viruses and bacteria sitting on

Your skin is the largest organ of your body.  Some of the major functions include protects organs/body from viruses and bacteria sitting on outer layer of the skin, detox (about 20% of emotional & physical detox), keep our skeletal system intact, helps regulate temperature, protects our vital organs, and more.

It used to be our skin wouldn't let the synthetics, harsh chemicals, toxins, etc into it. It's one of the main functions to protect the body and internal organs against toxins. However, with the of penetration enhancers, the game has changed.  A commonly used penetration enhancer is Propylene glycol. 

Liquid. Odor : Characteristic. OSHA/HCS status : While this material is not considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), this MSDS contains valuable information critical to the safe handling and proper use of the product. This MSDS should be retained and available for employees and other users of this product. 2 . GENERAL INFORMATION : Read the entire MSDS for a more thorough evaluation of the hazards. Emergency overview FOR EXCIPIENT USE ONLY. ASPIRATION HAZARD IF SWALLOWED - CAN ENTER LUNGS AND CAUSE DAMAGE. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT TO BE USED TO PRODUCE FOGS OR MISTS IN THEATRICAL, MUSICAL, OR OTHER ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCES. Aspiration hazard if swallowed. Can enter lungs and cause damage.
Other HIGH concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs); Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive); Other LOW concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Data gaps
About PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Propylene glycol is a small organic alcohol commonly used as a skin conditioning agent. It has been associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis as well as contact urticaria in humans; the ...
Function(s): Fragrance Ingredient; Humectant; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Humectant; Skin-ConditioningAgent - Miscellaneous; Solvent; Viscosity Decreasing Agent; SKIN CONDITIONING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Synonym(s): 1,2-DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 1,2-PROPANEDIOL; 2-HYDROXYPROPANOL; METHYLETHYL GLYCOL; PROPANE-1,2-DIOL; 1,2-DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 1,2-PROPYLENE GLYCOL; 1,2-PROPYLENGLYKOL (GERMAN) ; ALPHA-PROPYLENEGLYCOL; DOWFROST; METHYLETHYLENE GLYCOL
Read more about the chemical make-up from EWG

While Propylene glycol is considered "a natural ingredient" it is an immune system toxicant and causes allergies.  

Many formulations deemed "100% all natural" use this ingredient in the recipe as a smoothing agent, penetration enhancer, skin conditioner. However, it's purpose is also to force the skin open to allow the "active ingredient (s)" of the formulation to penetrate the skin.  If the skin has to be forced open to accept these active ingredients, I would think they would not be the best choice of active ingredients to use.  What most folks don't think about is that when that skin is being forced open by the Propylene glycol to accept the topical ingredients, it is also being forced to accept the very bacteria and viruses it was protecting the body against in the first place.  This is one reason it's listed as an immune system toxicant.  It makes our immune system work harder to trying to rid itself of the intruders that were allowed entry.

Food grade ingredients, oils, essential oils are naturally allowed entry into the body because they don't pose a threat.  Synthetics/toxins are meant to be kept out.

Take a look at the ingredients in the widely used hand sanitizers.  You will see Propylene glycol as one. Crazy scary if you ask me.

 

 

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