A skincare routine is essential to maintaining the health of your skin and protecting your body. As your body’s largest organ, your skin can help fight off infections and serve as a barrier against diseases. Properly caring for your skin keeps your body safe and maintains healthy hydration levels. You have likely developed a skincare routine over the years. Most of us specifically search out products that will treat our skin concerns such as dry skin, redness, or irritation. While you may prioritize your skincare and may have the best intentions, how much do you really pay attention to the Skincare Products Ingredients you put on your body?
The products you use on your skin are absorbed into your body, making the ingredients of those products very important. There are some ingredients found in many skin care products that are unsafe and harmful for your skin. I recommend you avoid the following Skincare Products Ingredients.
1. Parabens
Parabens are usually found in skincare, hair care, and makeup products because they help maintain the shelf-life of products. There are several chemicals that fall under the paraben’s category, including methylparabens, propylparabens, and butylparabens. Even though these chemicals are found in a wide range of products, they have been linked to breast cancer.
These ingredients can disrupt the balance of hormones in your body because they mimic estrogen. Parabens can also potentially cause issues with reproductivity and fertility. They can interfere with the systems in your body, including your hormones and endocrine system. No thank you!
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
If you notice sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate listed as an ingredient in your skincare product, get rid of it! This cleansing agent is known to be one of the most irritating for the skin. It is often used to determine whether an ingredient is dangerous for your skin in lab studies.
SLS produces the foam or lather effect that makes our skincare and cleansing products bubble. However, it is the most likely ingredient to irritate your skin. Allergic reactions are possible, and you might encounter sensitizing reactions as well.
3. Fragrances
We all want to smell nice, but synthetic fragrances can damage your skin. Scented face washes, shower gels, and other products that come in contact with your skin can cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Often “fragrance” is listed as an ingredient to avoid disclosing the more harmful chemicals that go into a product due to a loophole that exists in the industry. Essential oils are a much better fragrance option because they do not contain harmful chemicals.
4. Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate
You probably notice that a lot of skincare products advertised on television boast that they contain retinol or vitamin A. Typically found in anti-aging products and moisturizers, retinol actually has a surprising number of negative side effects. I was surprised too because I generally thought it was safe. Retinol and retinyl palmitate can damage DNA, and they may also cause skin tumors to grow faster. These ingredients should be avoided by all, but especially by women who are pregnant.
5. Aluminum
This shiny metal is helpful for a lot of things, like holding soda or covering leftovers. However, aluminum is often found in antiperspirant deodorants and other personal care products. The metal is actually toxic for our bodies and it can produce effects similar to oestrogen. This ingredient can potentially throw off your endocrine system and should be avoided.
6. Petroleum and Mineral Oil
Petroleum and mineral oil are byproducts of gasoline distillation, and they are cheap ingredients for cosmetics. They do not have a specific odor and they can help products last a long time. Unfortunately, these ingredients also form a film on your skin’s surface. They can trap dirt, clog pores, and accelerate the rate of aging for your skin. Plant-based oils are a much better and safer option for cosmetics.
7. Lead
Lead just does not even sound safe for the skin. Surprisingly, though, this heavy metal is found in a lot of lipstick or lip glosses. Even though these products only cover a small portion of your skin, they are still absorbed into your body, especially if you reapply lip products throughout the day. Lead can cause significant problems with your mental health, and it should absolutely not be ingested.
8. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is most commonly known as the ingredient used to preserve dead bodies. Strangely enough, it is also found in many shampoos, body washes, and bubble baths. This known carcinogen can cause very serious issues with your health, and it is frequently linked to asthma and neurotoxicity. Avoid using any cosmetics or skincare products that contain this ingredient.
9. Triclosan
How many times a day do you use antibacterial products such as liquid soap or sanitizers? Chances are, you reach for these types of skincare products on a pretty consistent basis abd they are pretty widely available, especially in public restrooms and office spaces. These products often contain triclosan, which can lead to antibiotic resistance. Plain soap or soap-free cleansers can do the trick to keep you clean while protecting your skin.
10. Phthalates
Phthalates are used to help products stay on our skin because they can increase the flexibility of plastics in cosmetic products. You may not see phthalates listed as an ingredient, but they are usually hiding in synthetic fragrances, deodorants, and scented lotions. Phthalates are extremely dangerous for children, but they should be avoided by everyone because they can be endocrine disruptors.
Conclusion
What goes on your skin can impact your body and health more than we realize. Some common Skincare Products Ingredients cause mild issues like allergic reactions and skin irritations but others have been linked to dangerous health concerns. This makes it extremely important to pay attention to what you put on your skin because the more you take care of your skin, the more it will take care of you!
Check out some of my favorite products, free from these dangerous ingredients, here.
Also Read : Everything You Need To Know About Facial Oils 101
Recent Comments